Wolf vs. Coyote — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 3, 2023
Wolves are larger predators with a global distribution, while coyotes are smaller, mainly found in North America with a distinctive yipping call.
Difference Between Wolf and Coyote
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Wolves and coyotes are both members of the Canidae family but represent different genera and species. Wolves, known for their majestic and larger stature, have historically roamed various parts of the world, from North America to Europe and Asia. Coyotes, on the other hand, are native primarily to North America and are smaller in size compared to wolves.
While wolves typically exhibit a range of colors from white, gray, to black, coyotes often have a tawny, grayish-brown fur with a bushier tail that often has a black tip. Wolves are known to be highly social animals, forming intricate packs with complex hierarchies, and are apex predators in their ecosystem. Coyotes are more versatile; they can be solitary or form smaller family groups and can thrive in various habitats, including urban environments.
Behaviorally, wolves rely on teamwork during hunts, whereas coyotes, being smaller, often go after smaller prey and can be more opportunistic.
Comparison Chart
Size
Larger, weighing up to 175 lbs
Smaller, typically weighing 20-50 lbs
Distribution
Global (North America, Europe, Asia)
Primarily North America
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Coloration
Range from white, gray to black
Tawny to grayish-brown with bushy tail
Social Structure
Live in complex pack structures
Can be solitary or form smaller family groups
Habitat Versatility
Prefer wild terrains and forests
Adaptable to various environments, including urban
Compare with Definitions
Wolf
A large wild canine known for its pack behavior.
The wolf howled, signaling its pack to gather.
Coyote
Often a symbol of mischief and adaptability in folklore.
Native American tales often feature the coyote as a trickster.
Wolf
An animal that communicates through howls and body language.
The wolf's howl echoed hauntingly through the forest.
Coyote
A creature with a distinctive bushy tail and pointed ears.
The silhouette of the coyote was recognizable by its bushy tail.
Wolf
The wolf (Canis lupus), also known as the gray wolf or grey wolf, is a large canine native to Eurasia and North America. More than thirty subspecies of Canis lupus have been recognized, and gray wolves, as colloquially understood, comprise non-domestic/feral subspecies.
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.
Wolf
Any of several carnivorous mammals of the genus Canis, especially the gray wolf of northern regions, that typically live and hunt in packs.
Coyote
A smaller canine native to North America.
The coyote's yipping could be heard at dusk.
Wolf
The fur of such an animal.
Coyote
An adaptable predator often seen in various habitats.
The urban environment hasn't deterred the coyote from exploring.
Wolf
Any of various similar or related mammals, such as the hyena.
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.
Wolf
The destructive larva of any of various moths, beetles, or flies.
Coyote
A wild dog that resembles the wolf, native to North America.
Wolf
One that is regarded as predatory, rapacious, and fierce.
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
Wolf
(Slang)A man who habitually makes aggressive sexual advances to women.
Coyote
A firefighter who is sent to battle remote, usually very severe forest fires, often for days at a time.
Wolf
A harshness in some tones of a bowed stringed instrument produced by defective vibration.
Coyote
(Slang) A person who smuggles undocumented immigrants into the United States, especially across the Mexican border.
Wolf
Dissonance in perfect fifths on a keyboard instrument tuned to a system of unequal temperament.
Coyote
Canis latrans, a species of canine native to North America.
Wolf
To eat greedily or voraciously:"The town's big shots were ... wolfing down the buffet"(Ralph Ellison).
Coyote
A smuggler of undocumented immigrants across the land border from Latin America into the United States of America.
Wolf
Canis lupus; the largest wild member of the canine subfamily.
Coyote
To prospect for gold by manually digging holes into overlying earth, as into a hillside.
Wolf
Any of several related canines that resemble Canis lupus in appearance, especially those of the genus Canis.
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.
Wolf
A man who makes amorous advances to many women.
Coyote
Small wolf native to western North America
Wolf
(music) A wolf tone or wolf note.
The soft violin solo was marred by persistent wolves.
Coyote
Someone who smuggles illegal immigrants into the United States (usually acress the Mexican border)
Wolf
(figurative) Any very ravenous, rapacious, or destructive person or thing; especially, want; starvation.
They toiled hard to keep the wolf from the door.
The bee wolf
Coyote
A forest fire fighter who is sent to battle remote and severe forest fires (often for days at a time)
Wolf
One of the destructive, and usually hairy, larvae of several species of beetles and grain moths.
Coyote
Known for its cunning and opportunistic behavior.
The coyote waited patiently before seizing its opportunity.
Wolf
A white worm which infests granaries, the larva of Nemapogon granella, a tineid moth.
Wolf
A wolf spider.
Wolf
(obsolete) An eating ulcer or sore. See lupus.
Wolf
A willying machine, to cleanse wool or willow.
Wolf
(transitive) To devour; to gobble; to eat (something) voraciously.
Wolf
To make amorous advances to many women; to hit on women; to cruise for sex.
Wolf
(intransitive) To hunt for wolves.
Wolf
Any one of several species of wild and savage carnivores belonging to the genus Canis and closely allied to the common dog. The best-known and most destructive species are the European wolf (Canis lupus), the American gray, or timber, wolf (Canis occidentalis), and the prairie wolf, or coyote. Wolves often hunt in packs, and may thus attack large animals and even man.
Wolf
One of the destructive, and usually hairy, larvæ of several species of beetles and grain moths; as, the bee wolf.
Wolf
Fig.: Any very ravenous, rapacious, or destructive person or thing; especially, want; starvation; as, they toiled hard to keep the wolf from the door.
Wolf
A white worm, or maggot, which infests granaries.
Wolf
An eating ulcer or sore. Cf. Lupus.
If God should send a cancer upon thy face, or a wolf into thy side.
Wolf
The harsh, howling sound of some of the chords on an organ or piano tuned by unequal temperament.
Wolf
A willying machine.
Wolf
Any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
Wolf
Austrian composer (1860-1903)
Wolf
German classical scholar who claimed that the Iliad and Odyssey were composed by several authors (1759-1824)
Wolf
A man who is aggressive in making amorous advances to women
Wolf
A cruelly rapacious person
Wolf
Eat hastily;
The teenager wolfed down the pizza
Wolf
An apex predator found in various parts of the world.
The presence of the wolf often indicates a balanced ecosystem.
Wolf
An animal often symbolizing loyalty and guardianship.
In many cultures, the wolf is revered as a spirit animal.
Wolf
A carnivore with a varied diet based on its habitat.
The wolf preyed on the elk, showcasing its hunting prowess.
Common Curiosities
Are coyotes exclusive to North America?
Primarily, yes, coyotes are native to North America.
Which is larger, a wolf or a coyote?
The wolf is generally larger than the coyote.
Do wolves and coyotes interbreed?
In some regions, wolves and coyotes can interbreed, producing a "coywolf".
Are wolves and coyotes the same species?
No, wolves and coyotes are different species within the Canidae family.
Which is more likely to be seen in urban areas?
Coyotes are more adaptable and often venture into urban areas.
How do coyotes communicate?
Coyotes use a mix of yips, howls, and barks for communication.
What's the main diet for coyotes and wolves?
While both are carnivores, wolves hunt larger prey like elk or deer, while coyotes often go after smaller animals.
How can one differentiate between a wolf and a coyote by appearance?
Wolves are larger with broader snouts, while coyotes have a more narrow face and a bushy tail with a black tip.
Do coyotes and wolves share the same predators?
Both can be preyed upon by larger animals when young, but adult wolves have fewer natural predators than coyotes.
Are wolves and coyotes considered dangerous to humans?
While both can be dangerous if threatened, attacks on humans are rare. Caution and respect for their wild nature are advised.
Do both wolves and coyotes live in packs?
Wolves live in structured packs, while coyotes can be solitary or form smaller groups.
Are there different species of wolves?
Yes, there are several species like the gray wolf, Arctic wolf, and red wolf.
Which has a wider global distribution?
Wolves have a wider global distribution, whereas coyotes are mainly in North America.
How has urban expansion impacted coyotes?
Urban expansion has led coyotes to adapt, often thriving in city environments.
How are wolves and coyotes represented in folklore?
Wolves often symbolize loyalty and guardianship, while coyotes are seen as tricksters in many Native American tales.
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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.
