Big Coyote or Coyote-Wolf Hybrid          

Being new to California and Sycamore Grove Park, I have often compared the surrounding landscape, plants, and animals to those of Massachusetts, where I grew up. On my first day of patrolling around the park, I saw a common animal—a coyote (Canis latrans). It looked smaller than the coyotes I'd often seen on the East Coast. As I continued encountering them in the park, I noticed they were all on the smaller side. Was my perception of coyotes' size in Massachusetts inaccurate? Or were coyotes in California smaller than their east coast counterparts?  

Mass comparisons of western coyotes and coyotes found in northeastern areas of North America show that eastern coyotes are larger than western coyotes. Western coyotes range from 3-4 feet tall and weigh 20-25 pounds, while eastern coyotes range from 4-5 feet tall and weigh 30-50 pounds. The size difference between western coyotes and eastern coyotes can be traced back to the history of coyotes in North America. 

Moving Eastward 

Prior to the western expansion in the 1800s-1900s, wolves (Canis lupus) occupied most of eastern North America. As settlers began to move westward, wolves were hunted to or near extinction in much of the continental United States. Wolves thrived in forested areas and were impacted by deforestation due to the conversion of forests into agricultural land. Simultaneously, once limited to the western two-thirds of the US, coyotes began to expand their range eastward due to their lack of competition with wolves and their ability to thrive in open-space habitats.  

As coyotes moved eastward, the dwindling eastern wolf population began to see western coyotes as potential mates. As wolves and coyotes began to mate, a coyote-wolf hybrid began to inhabit the eastern United States. This coyote-wolf hybrid, sometimes called a ‘coywolf’ or eastern coyote, has distinct physical differences from the western coyote. The ‘coywolf’ has a larger jaw, smaller ears, longer legs and body, and a bushier tail than the western coyote. In addition to physical differences, DNA testing has confirmed the hybridization of eastern coyotes with wolves. On average, eastern coyotes were found to be 64% western coyotes, 26% wolf, and 10% domestic dogs.  

Although both the western coyote and coywolves are omnivores, the diet of eastern coyotes differs from that of the western coyote. Western coyotes’ diet comprises small rodents, rabbits, fruits, and berries. Like the western coyote, eastern coyotes will also target small mammals and eat fruits and berries. However, unlike the western coyote, the eastern coyote will sometimes go after larger mammals such as deer. Researchers believe the larger size of eastern coyotes allows them to partially fill the niche wolves once held in the eastern United States.  

Growth and Adaptability  

Despite being one of the least protected species throughout the United States, the coyote population has grown rapidly. The population has seen a 40% increase since the 1950s, twice that of other carnivores in North America. Coyotes now inhabit every state besides Hawaii. This growth can be attributed to the adaptability of coyotes, as shown by their hybridization with wolves and their expansion into urban areas throughout the United States. 

Coyotes have a diverse diet, allowing them to thrive in numerous habitats. Although coyotes have populated urban areas throughout the United States, they prefer eating wild prey to human trash. Additionally, despite the spread of coyotes to more urban areas, coyotes tend to avoid human interaction and find habitat in places like parks or golf courses. One of the best ways to prevent coyote encounters is to avoid providing coyotes with food, which can make them more aggressive and less fearful of humans.  

Coywolves in California?

DNA from eastern coyotes shows that they are coyote-wolf hybrids, but does California also have hybrid coyotes? What about when you saw an unusually large-looking coyote in Sycamore Grove Park? Was that a coywolf? 

Despite some claims of coywolves in California, there are no confirmed sightings of coywolves inhabiting areas west of the Mississippi. Many apparent coywolf sightings have been identified as large western coyotes or dogs. However, a coywolf or wolf sighting in this area of California, though unlikely, is possible.  

Although wolves are believed to have been extirpated from California in the 1920s, gray wolves have slowly returned to northern California. California Department of Fish and Wildlife documents three confirmed gray wolf packs in Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas, and Sierra counties. Also, a lone gray wolf from Oregon, known as OR-93, was tracked via radio collar in the central Sierra Nevada.

Due to known wolf packs and roaming lone wolves in California, it is possible that a wolf may mate with a coyote, creating a ‘coywolf’ or that a gray wolf may be spotted in an area where one has not been seen before. However, because wolves favor forested regions, places like Sycamore Grove Park are a much more welcoming environment for coyotes due to their adaptability and success in open space habitats.  

What to do if you see a coyote 

Coyotes frequent Sycamore Grove Park and are often spotted by park visitors. If you see a coyote, it is best to leave it alone, stand your ground, and don’t turn your back or run. Coyotes are generally afraid of humans, and attacks on humans are incredibly rare.  

Source Links 

Coyotes have expanded their range to 49 states—and show no signs of stopping. (nationalgeographic.com) 

Meet the Coywolf | A Field Guide to the Coywolf | Nature | PBS 

General Information About Coyotes | Urban Coyote Research 

NATURE: Meet The Coywolf | KPBS Public Media