Fox or Coyote?
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Jun 10, 2009 | by Kevin Loughlin
Fox seen in DE last weekend.
Very mangey fox. This pair had two kits as well.
Foxes run with their tail pointing straight back.
This fox dug up turtle eggs along the roadside at Bombay Hook NWR.
Licking her chops… you can still see some of the yellow egg yolk on her lower jaw.
Last weekend in Delaware, we cam across a ragged pair of foxes with a pair of young kits. I was not able to get a photo of the kits, but the adults were quite cooperative. Looking at my images later, I was able to study the animals more was struck even more by how mangey one of the adults appeared. Without the full coat, its legs appeared longer and I second-guessed if what we saw were actually coyote.
This coyote in the Rockies you can see walking with tail down.
Coyotes have a black tip on the tail, not always readily seen.
Coyotes are very common in the east, and I have come across them near my home. Valley Forge National Park, just 3 miles away, is full of both fox and coyote. Coyotes have actually become quite comfortable in suburban areas, more so than foxes have. I dug through some old images of what I knew was a coyote I had photographed in the Rocky Mountains years ago. The animals looked quite similar, however, here are a few differences to consider if you come across an animal about who’s ID you are unsure.
Compare their tail tips: Foxes have a white tip to their tail, coyotes a black tip.
Compare their tail when running: Foxes run with their tail straight out while coyotes run with their tails down.
Compare their paws: Foxes have darker, contrasting paws. Coyotes typically do not.
Size: Coyotes are typcally much taller with proportionally longer legs than foxes.
These tips will help in identifying what you see in the wild, but sometimes are not always readily noticeable. Study hard and get photos if you can!
photos © Kevin Loughlin
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I was in Rehoboth Beach, DE last weekend (6/12/10) and saw what I now realize was a coyote. This site was extremely helpful in making this identification possible. Great photos and info. Thanks, Michele
Thanks… happy we could help!
I live in Marquette MI (UP) and saw what I thought was a fox.It was around 3 in the afternoon. It walked at the side of a street, stopped and kind of looked at me (in my car) and then trotted off into the woods. It's a residential area but wooded too. Now I'm thinking it was a coyote. It had long legs, was brown with a skinny face. I wish my phone camera would have co operated!! Any help??
It could be either one… the ID tips at the end of the original post above are the best advice I can offer!
There is a litter of red fox kits in our area here in central Indiana. We also have coyotes around. While working in my garden one evening last week, I observed a red fox trailing a coyote at about a 300 yard distance. What might be going on? Are coyotes looking for the fox kits to kill (is the fox protecting its den)?
Another question that someone suggested… would a fox and coyote share the same den?
I have always thought foxes and coyotes are nocturnal. But this spring I have seen both, in all hours of the day. Is this typical right after their litters are born with both hunting to provide for hungry kits? Both the fox and coyotes I have seen look healthy and have maintained their fear of humans. Thanks for giving me your insight.
Both animals are 'crepuscular' (they like the twilight hours best for hunting, but are very active at night as well. However, when they are hungry or have many hungry mouths to feed they will be out all day. What you saw could be a number of things… they are competitors, so will not share a den, however, they will eat leftovers when available. The fox may have also been trying to throw the coyote off the track of the den by not going to it.
Hope that helps!
I just moved out to a rual area and I have seen both coyote and fox around the property. I have a 75lbs boxer and 75lbs english bulldog that go in and out of a dog door to a small fenced in pen area. Do I need to worry about my dogs getting injured or wild animals coming in?