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131
Summer 2012
Escarpment Magaz ine
Canid facts at a glance:
Comparing North American Species
Comparitive summary of distribution and characteristics of grey wolf, coyote and Eastern/red wolf
Based on
A Field Guide of North America
COYOTE
Canis latrans
GREY WOLF
Canis lupus
EASTERN/RED WOLF
Canis lycaon / Canis rufus
Common Name
& Species
Size &
Distinguishing
Features
Range
Present
Range
Historic
Habitat
Habits
Shoulder height
50-60 cm.
weight 7-22 kg
Long legs,
large ears, long,
narrow muzzle,
body colour:
variable,
greyish in north,
tawny in south
Shoulder height
70-80 cm.
weight 25-70 kg
Large and
long-legged: big
feet and small
ears: muzzle
long, not greatly
tapered:
greyish on back
Shoulder height
70 cm.
weight Red Wolf
20-40 kg
Eastern Wolf:
Long-legged,
rangy; ears
large; colour
variable -
blackish or red-
dish brown; legs
reddish/black,
grey-brown
Western
Canada.
Western
United States
to southern
Mexico
Northern and
western North
America to
Mexico
Alaska,
northern and
northeastern
Canada,
reintroduced to
western
Wyoming and
Idaho (from
Canadian
populations)
Central
Ontario,
southern
Quebec and
Great Lakes
area, south
through
eastern United
States to
eastern Texas
and Florida
Algonquin Park
and surrounding
area,
southwestern
Quebec,
reintroduced
into Tennesee,
Louisana,
North Carolina,
Florida and
New Jersey
from captive
populations
Most of North
America from
Alaska south to
western
Panama:
western to
eastern North
America south
of the treeline
Grasslands,
deserts,
woodlands,
mountains,
agricultural and
urban areas
Boreal forest
and tundra:
restricted to
areas of
extensive
wilderness
Mainly
crepuscular but
may be active
by day: eats
mostly large
mammals: very
social species
Heavily
forested areas
of eastern
temerate
forest
Sililar to
grey wolf
Highly
adaptable;
most active at
dawn or dusk in
east, nocturnal
or diurnal in
west: eats a
variety of food