Coyote vs. Hyena — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 9, 2023
A coyote is a North American canine known for its cunning, while a hyena is an African mammal, noted for its laugh-like vocalizations.
Difference Between Coyote and Hyena
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A coyote is a wild canine indigenous primarily to North America. They're smaller and sleeker than wolves and are famed for their adaptability to different environments. In contrast, the hyena is a carnivorous mammal indigenous mainly to Africa, recognized by its unique hunched back and laugh-like vocalizations.
The coyote, often referred to as the "prairie wolf" or "brush wolf," belongs to the Canidae family. They're versatile omnivores, consuming a varied diet. The hyena, on the other hand, belongs to the Hyaenidae family. Though they're known as scavengers, hyenas are adept hunters as well.
Behaviorally, coyotes are known for their cunning and intelligence. They can be solitary or form small packs. The hyena, conversely, is more social, often moving in larger clans and showcasing complex social behaviors.
Physically, coyotes sport a thick fur coat, generally of a grayish-brown hue, and a bushy tail. Their size is roughly akin to a medium-sized dog. Hyenas, meanwhile, have shorter fur, powerful jaws, and a distinctive sloping back, with the spotted hyena being the most recognized.
Comparison Chart
Origin
North America
Africa
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Family
Canidae
Hyaenidae
Diet
Omnivorous (varied diet)
Carnivorous (hunters and scavengers)
Social Unit
Solitary or small packs
Larger clans
Physicality
Medium-sized, grayish-brown, bushy tail
Distinctive hunched back, strong jaws, shorter fur, various colors
Compare with Definitions
Coyote
A wild canine native to North America.
The coyote was spotted near the edge of the forest.
Hyena
A carnivorous mammal native to Africa and parts of Asia.
The hyena laughed in the distance.
Coyote
A symbol in various indigenous stories representing trickery or wisdom.
In the tale, the coyote played a clever trick on the other animals.
Hyena
Known for powerful jaws and unique vocalizations.
The hyena can crush bones with its strong jaws.
Coyote
An animal known for its cunning and adaptability.
The coyote easily adapted to the urban environment.
Hyena
Often associated with scavenging but also a skilled hunter.
The hyena clan took down a wildebeest.
Coyote
A creature with a varied diet, including small mammals and plants.
The coyote feasted on the rabbit it caught.
Hyena
Part of the Hyaenidae family with a distinct sloping back.
The spotted hyena is the most recognized of its kind.
Coyote
The coyote (Canis latrans) is a species of canine native to North America. It is smaller than its close relative, the wolf, and slightly smaller than the closely related eastern wolf and red wolf.
Hyena
Exhibits complex social behaviors within large clans.
The hyena clan has a strict hierarchy.
Coyote
A wild dog that resembles the wolf, native to North America.
Hyena
Hyenas, or hyaenas (from Ancient Greek ὕαινα, hýaina), are feliform carnivoran mammals of the family Hyaenidae . With only four extant species (in three genera), it is the fifth-smallest biological family in the Carnivora and one of the smallest in the class Mammalia.
Coyote
A person who smuggles people from Latin America across the US border, typically for a very high fee
At the bus station, there were coyotes offering to drive us to Los Angeles
Hyena
A doglike African mammal with forelimbs that are longer than the hindlimbs and an erect mane. Hyenas are noted as scavengers but most are also effective hunters.
Coyote
A wolflike carnivorous mammal (Canis latrans) of North and Central America, having grayish-brown or yellowish fur, large erect ears, and a drooping bushy tail. Also called prairie wolf.
Hyena
Any of several carnivorous mammals of the family Hyaenidae of Africa and Asia, which feed as scavengers and have powerful jaws, relatively short hind limbs, and coarse hair.
Coyote
A firefighter who is sent to battle remote, usually very severe forest fires, often for days at a time.
Hyena
Any of the medium-sized to large feliform carnivores of the subfamily Hyaenidae, native to Africa and Asia and noted for the sound similar to laughter which they can make if excited.
Coyote
(Slang) A person who smuggles undocumented immigrants into the United States, especially across the Mexican border.
Hyena
(Sub-Saharan Africa) A man that performs ritualized sex acts with recently widowed women and menarchal girls.
Coyote
Canis latrans, a species of canine native to North America.
Hyena
Any carnivorous mammal of the family Hyænidæ, doglike nocturnal mammals of Africa and southern Asia, of which three living species are known. They are large and strong, but cowardly. They feed chiefly on carrion, and are nocturnal in their habits.
Coyote
A smuggler of undocumented immigrants across the land border from Latin America into the United States of America.
Hyena
Doglike nocturnal mammal of Africa and southern Asia that feeds chiefly on carrion
Coyote
To prospect for gold by manually digging holes into overlying earth, as into a hillside.
Coyote
A carnivorous animal (Canis latrans), allied to the dog, found in the western part of North America; - called also prairie wolf. Its voice is a snapping bark, followed by a prolonged, shrill howl.
Coyote
Small wolf native to western North America
Coyote
Someone who smuggles illegal immigrants into the United States (usually acress the Mexican border)
Coyote
A forest fire fighter who is sent to battle remote and severe forest fires (often for days at a time)
Coyote
Often called the "prairie wolf" or "brush wolf".
The coyote howled under the moonlight.
Common Curiosities
Are hyenas related to dogs?
No, hyenas are not dogs; they belong to the Hyaenidae family.
Do coyotes hunt in packs?
While coyotes can hunt in small packs, they often hunt alone.
Are hyenas nocturnal?
Yes, hyenas are predominantly nocturnal.
What do coyotes eat?
Coyotes have a varied diet, from small mammals to fruits and insects.
Where are coyotes predominantly found?
Coyotes are predominantly found in North America.
Are all hyenas scavengers?
While hyenas are known as scavengers, they're also skilled hunters.
Do coyotes have natural predators?
While adult coyotes have few natural predators, they can be preyed upon by larger animals like mountain lions.
Which is larger, a coyote or a hyena?
Generally, a hyena is larger than a coyote.
How do coyotes communicate?
Coyotes communicate through vocalizations like howls, yips, and barks.
What role do hyenas play in the ecosystem?
Hyenas help control animal populations and clean up carrion, playing a vital role in their ecosystem.
What's the lifespan of a hyena?
A hyena can live up to 25 years in the wild.
Can coyotes adapt to urban areas?
Yes, coyotes are highly adaptable and can thrive in urban settings.
How many species of hyenas are there?
There are four species of hyenas.
Are coyotes and wolves related?
Yes, both coyotes and wolves belong to the Canidae family.
How strong is a hyena's bite?
The hyena has one of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom, able to crush bones.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
