What Do Coyotes Look Like? How Big? Weight?

Ever wondered what a coyote looks like or how you can distinguish them from other canines?

I know I have! It turns out that there are some typical physical characteristics that all coyotes share and some that might vary depending on where they live. So, what do coyotes look like?

Typically coyotes are 2 feet tall, measuring 3.3 – 4.3 feet in length, snout to tail. They weigh 20 to 50 pounds; have pointed ears, yellow eyes, slender muzzles, and downward-pointing bushy tails. Their coloring is grayish-brown, with a red-tinged face, ears, and legs, and black-tipped tails. 

Coyotes hail from the desert plains of western and central North America. They have expanded across Northern America and Central America and have adapted to their surroundings, including some physical adaptations. So even though there are some typical coyote characteristics, not all coyotes will look the same.

The differences will depend on where the coyotes live.

Table of Contents

• What are the Typical Characteristics of a Coyote?
• How Do Eastern and Western Coyotes Differ in Appearance?
• What is a Coydog?
• Conclusion

What are the Typical Characteristics of a Coyote?

Coyotes look a bit like your typical collie dog; this is unsurprising as they also form part of the dog family, Canidae. Coyotes are more lightly built and much smaller than your average wolf but are bigger than foxes.

Coyotes have black-tipped noses, long slender muzzles, pointed and erect ears, and a drooping bushy tail. The tail typically has a black tip. Their eyes are yellow, which is different from your standard domesticated dog eye color, which is brown.

Coyotes are relatively small, standing at only 2 feet in height and measuring 24 inches at the shoulder. They are typically 3.3 – 4.3 feet in length; included in this length are their tails, which measure 11.8 – 16 inches.

The usual coloring for a coyote is greyish-brown to black with red tinges to the face and behind the ears. This reddish tinge can also be seen on the backs of the legs, while the throat and underbellies’ coloration often varies from a light grey … Read the rest of the story.