Coyote vs. Fox Traits: Which Wild Animal Is Bigger?

Foxes prefer woodland environments. Raimund Linke / Getty Images

When it comes to wild canines, coyote vs. fox identification can be tricky. At first glance, both coyotes and foxes may look similar with their bushy tails and pointed ears. But these two animals have plenty of key differences, including size, behavior, habitat and even how they hunt.

Both coyotes and foxes belong to the canine family, but foxes are part of the genus Vulpes, while coyotes are more closely related to gray wolves in the genus Canis. The coyote population has expanded in many areas, often overlapping with red fox and gray fox territories. While both species thrive in various environments, they each have unique adaptations that set them apart.

Let's take a deeper look at what makes each of these predators unique.

Size and Physical Differences

One of the most noticeable differences between coyotes and foxes is their size. Coyotes are significantly larger, often weighing between 20 and 50 pounds (9.1 to 22.7 kg), while foxes, including kit foxes and red foxes, usually weigh under 15 pounds (6.8 kg).

This makes a big difference in how they move, hunt and interact with their environment.

The fox has smaller ears, shorter legs and an overall more compact build than the coyote.
Darren Langdon / Getty Images

Another key difference is their facial structure. Coyotes have a narrower snout and a more elongated face, resembling a domestic dog, whereas foxes have a shorter, more compact face with a distinctive pointed snout.

Coat color varies among both species, with red foxes sporting their famous reddish fur, gray foxes having gray fur, and coyotes typically featuring a mix of tan, brown and gray fur.

Habitat and Behavior

Foxes and coyotes prefer different habitats, although their ranges sometimes overlap.

While coyotes are highly adaptable and can live in forests, deserts and even urban settings, foxes prefer wooded areas and grasslands. Gray foxes, unlike red foxes or coyotes, also have an unusual ability: They can climb trees!

Both coyotes and foxes are opportunistic hunters, but coyotes tend to hunt larger prey, including deer, whereas foxes mostly stick to small mammals, birds and insects. Fox tracks are generally smaller and daintier, while coyote tracks are larger and resemble those of a medium-sized domestic dog.

Social Structure and Mating Season

Coyotes are highly social animals that often live and hunt in small family groups, especially during mating season. They communicate using howls and yips, making them more vocal than foxes.

Foxes, on the other hand, tend to be more solitary, with even mated pairs spending much of their time apart except when raising kits.

Both species mate once a year, and foxes typically give birth to fewer pups than coyotes. The mating season for foxes occurs in late winter, while coyotes mate between January and March. Since coyotes have a higher reproductive rate, the coyote population has been able to expand rapidly across North America.

Adaptability and Human Interaction

Coyotes have adapted well to human presence, often scavenging in suburban areas and forming larger packs where food is plentiful. Foxes, while adaptable, are generally more elusive and tend to avoid humans when possible.

While both coyotes and foxes face threats from habitat loss and hunting, their populations remain stable due to their resourcefulness and adaptability.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.