Coyote or Fox?

​​We have four canine species in the DC area, three wild: red fox (Vulpes vulpes), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and coyote (Canis latrans); and one domestic canid, the dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Sometimes it can be hard to tell these species apart. Here are some tips to help you identify them:

Coyotes are mid-sized canines, usually ranging in weight from about 25 to 45 pounds in the Eastern states. Their coats are generally brown, gray, white, and black, although some have variations in color and pattern. Their eyes can be brown or yellow, their snouts are longer and thinner than the snouts on most dogs, and they have pointy ears.

​Red foxes and coyotes are sometimes confused, especially if they're seen from a distance. Coat color can be a good indicator (coyotes have more brown and gray fur, while red foxes tend to have reddish fur), but both coyotes and red foxes have coats that can vary in color greatly, which can make them tricky to identify.

Coyotes have black tips on the ends of their tails, while red foxes have white tips. However, sometimes this can be difficult to see if the coat is long or bushy; see the photo below of a red fox trotting for an example. When coyotes are trotting, their tails tend to hang down, while red foxes tend to hold their tails straight out.

Gray foxes are less commonly seen. They’re rarer and also shyer, and less tolerant of humans than red fox or coyotes. They look more “cat-like” than both red foxes and coyotes and are quite a bit smaller than coyotes. Gray foxes are quite agile and sometimes even climb trees! 

Most domestic dogs look quite a bit different than coyotes, but some breeds and mixed-breeds can be mistaken for coyotes, especially if seen from a distance.