Video

Wolf vs Coyote: How to Tell the Difference

By Abby Parks

Published March 24, 2026 Runtime 4:33

Wolves and coyotes can look surprisingly similar at a glance, especially from a distance. But there are a few key differences in size, behavior, and appearance that can help you quickly tell them apart.

In this video, we break down how to spot the difference between a wolf and a coyote, including the traits to look for and what each animal’s presence might mean in the wild.

About the Author

Abby Parks

Abby Parks has authored a fiction novel, theatrical plays, short stories, poems, and song lyrics. She's recorded two albums of her original songs, and is a multi-instrumentalist. She has managed a website for folk music and written articles on singer-songwriters, folk bands, and other things music-oriented. She's also a radio DJ for a folk music show. As well as having been a pet parent to rabbits, birds, dogs, and cats, Abby loves seeking sightings of animals in the wild and has witnessed some more exotic ones such as Puffins in the Farne Islands, Southern Pudu on the island of Chiloe (Chile), Penguins in the wild, and countless wild animals in the Rocky Mountains (Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goats, Moose, Elk, Marmots, Beavers).

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