It can be tricky to tell the difference between a fox and a coyote when you spot one of these animals in the wild. At first glance, foxes and coyotes appear very similar – they have bushy tails, pointed noses, and upright ears. However, there are some key differences that can help you easily distinguish between them. Knowing whether you are observing a fox or a coyote can be useful for identifying species in your area. In this article, we will go over the main ways to tell foxes and coyotes apart.
Differences in Size
One of the most noticeable ways to tell foxes and coyotes apart is by their size. Coyotes are much larger than foxes. On average, coyotes weigh 20-50 pounds while foxes weigh 8-15 pounds. Coyotes can be up to three feet tall and four to five feet long including their tail. Foxes rarely reach more than two feet tall and three feet long. The table below summarizes the size differences:
| Animal | Height | Length (including tail) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | 2-3 feet | 4-5 feet | 20-50 pounds |
| Fox | 1-2 feet | 2-3 feet | 8-15 pounds |
As you can see, coyotes are significantly larger than foxes. If you see a canine that is very small, it is likely a fox. Larger canines are probably coyotes.
Facial Features and Fur Color
In addition to variations in size, foxes and coyotes differ in their facial features and fur coloration.
Coyotes have longer, narrower muzzles and larger noses than foxes. Their ears are also proportionally smaller. Coyotes’ fur tends to be gray, tan, rust, or brown. Their fur may also have a reddish tinge in some areas. However, it lacks the vibrant red coloration seen in some fox species.
Foxes have flatter facial features with small, pointed noses and large, triangular ears. Red foxes are aptly named for their reddish-orange fur. Gray foxes are salt-and-pepper gray with rusty coloring on their legs, ears and underside. Other species like arctic foxes may be mostly white. Fox furs spans a wider range of colors compared to the more subdued coyote.
Tail Differences
Observing the tail is another simple way to discern a fox from a coyote.
Fox tails are long and bushy. They are equal to or longer than the body length. When lowered, a fox’s tail may drag on the ground.
In contrast, coyote tails are less bushy and only about one-third of their body length. Their tails do not touch the ground when hanging down.
The table below outlines the tail differences:
| Animal | Tail Length | Tail Bushiness |
|---|---|---|
| Fox | Equal to or longer than body | Very bushy |
| Coyote | About 1/3 of body length | Less bushy |
So if you notice a long, thick tail dragging on the ground, it’s likely a fox. Shorter tails belong to coyotes.
Habitat Preferences
Foxes and coyotes also differ in terms of their preferred habitats. This means observing where you spot one can provide clues to whether it is a fox or coyote.
Foxes flourish in many habitats including forests, grasslands, mountains and deserts. However, they especially thrive in more densely vegetated areas like forests and wetlands. They use the ample vegetation as cover for stalking prey. Foxes also dig dens in earth berms, hollow logs, and under bushes.
In contrast, coyotes adapt more easily to open areas with sparser vegetation. They are highly successful in grasslands, deserts and agricultural lands. While coyotes can inhabit forests and swamps, they are more likely found in open spaces. Their dens are often in rocky crevices, caves or hollows.
Knowing if you are in dense forest versus an open field can hint at whether a fox or coyote is present. The table summarizes habitat preferences:
| Animal | Preferred Habitats |
|---|---|
| Fox | Forests, wetlands, mountains; areas with dense vegetation |
| Coyote | Grasslands, deserts, farmlands; open areas with sparse vegetation |
Vocalizations
The sounds made by foxes and coyotes can also distinguish them. Foxes make a wide range of sounds like screeching, howling, barking, and distress calls. However, they do not produce the iconic howl that coyotes do.
Coyotes howl and yip primarily to communicate with each other and establish territory. Their howls carry through the air and can be heard from distances of over a mile away. Coyotes may howl before and after hunts, as greetings, or to signal danger. Their howls have a high, wavering pitch that rises and falls.
In contrast, fox vocalizations are more akin to short screeches, barks, whines or distressed noises. While they may yip, foxes do not produce drawn out melodic howls like those of coyotes. Knowing the source of distant howls can reveal whether coyotes or foxes are present.
Tracks and Footprints
Subtle differences in paw prints and tracks can also set foxes and coyotes apart.
Coyote tracks are oval shaped and typically 2.5 to 3.5 inches long. Their hind tracks are smaller, ranging from 2 to 2.75 inches long. Coyote tracks exhibit four toes and distinct, claw marks. The front paws have a triangular shape.
Fox tracks tend to be smaller, only 1.5 to 3.5 inches long. They also feature four toes but the paw prints are more rectangular rather than oval shaped. The claw marks of foxes are also less noticeable. The hind paws of foxes are smaller than the fronts.
Studying any tracks left behind in mud or snow can reveal key variations that distinguish foxes from coyotes. The table summarizes print differences:
| Animal | Track Size | Track Shape | Claw Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | 2.5 – 3.5 inches | Oval | Distinct |
| Fox | 1.5 – 3 inches | Rectangular | Less noticeable |
Studying the tracks left behind can confirm whether it was a coyote or fox passing through.
Hunting Behavior
Foxes and coyotes have different hunting strategies which influence when and where they are active.
Foxes hunt mainly at night and the early hours of dawn and dusk. They use their excellent hearing to locate small prey like mice, voles, rabbits, birds and insects. Foxes pounce and leap on prey. They stalk through vegetation before striking.
In contrast, coyotes do a significant amount of hunting during daytime hours. They are more likely spotted active during the day compared to the strictly nocturnal fox. Coyotes primarily hunt larger prey like deer, sheep, rodents, birds and reptiles. They rely on greater speed and endurance to run down prey over long distances, often working in pairs or small groups.
Knowing when an animal was observed and what hunting approaches it used can provide clues into whether it was a fox or coyote. The table outlines differences in hunting behaviors:
| Animal | Primary Hunting Hours | Hunting Method | Common Prey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox | Nocturnal and crepuscular | Pouncing and stalking | Small mammals, birds, insects |
| Coyote | Daytime and night | Running down prey over distance | Deer, sheep, rodents, birds |
Geographic Range
The geographic ranges of foxes and coyotes also differ in some regions. This means only one species may inhabit certain areas.
Coyotes are found throughout most of North and Central America from Canada to Panama. They have expanded into nearly every U.S. state except Hawaii.
Foxes have a more scattered distribution. Red foxes inhabit most of Canada and the contiguous U.S. Gray foxes live throughout the southern, central, and eastern U.S. Arctic foxes are only found in the northernmost areas of Alaska, Canada, and Eurasia. Kit foxes reside in western states like Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and California. Knowing which fox species inhabit an area can help rule out coyotes.
The table outlines typical ranges:
| Animal | Geographic Range |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Most areas of North America from Panama to central Canada |
| Red Fox | Most of Canada and contiguous U.S. |
| Gray Fox | Central, eastern and southern U.S. |
| Arctic Fox | Northernmost North America and Eurasia |
| Kit Fox | Western U.S. including southwest states |
If you are only in the range typical of kit foxes, for example, it can rule out the possibility of a coyote.
Conclusion
Foxes and coyotes share many physical similarities that can make distinguishing them challenging. However, paying close attention to size, facial features, tails, habitat, sounds, tracks, hunting patterns, and geographic range can reveal clear differences. Coyotes are larger and live in more open areas compared to foxes. Foxes have bushier tails, more colorful fur, and sharper facial features. Foxes do not howl as coyotes do. Subtle differences in tracks and hunting habits can also set them apart. Knowing the ranges of local fox species can help rule out coyotes. Next time you spot a fox or coyote-like animal, look for these tell-tale signs to determine what it is conclusively. Proper identification is vital for tracking species in your local ecosystems.
