Coyote v. Wolf I

Coyote v. Wolf I

This is the first of the three canines seen in YNP on 10-19-08. This one we believed was a coyote at first, but in comparison to picture Coyote v. Wolf II and III, I think its a wolf. He was about 6 ft away from the car in this shot, Please respond with your vote to wolf or coyote and reason if you will. By the comments received I'm gonna have to accept this guy was just a coyote. It seems the Coyote v. Wolf III is the only wolf I was able to capture a glimpse of.
Tie-Dye Mike
on Oct 21, 2008 5:01 pm
Image Type(s): Wildlife
Image ID: 455613

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Bob Sihler

Bob Sihler - Oct 21, 2008 5:35 pm - Voted 10/10

Coyote?

It might be a young wolf, but the dark-tipped tail says coyote to me. But I hear it can be really hard to tell coyotes from small wolved.

I believe wolves also keep their tails up more, as the wolf in the other shot is clearly doing (not very high, but it's up). Again, though, it's hard to tell since the canine here seems to be still.

Nice shots, though, and I agree it must have been great to see all three in such a short time.

Tie-Dye Mike

Tie-Dye Mike - Oct 21, 2008 5:48 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Coyote?

Ok, heres another shot of the same animal from the side, see if it might sway your vote. http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.php?object_id=455620
And yes this animal was very young, maybe born within the last year or two.

Bob Sihler

Bob Sihler - Oct 21, 2008 8:12 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: Coyote?

That picture makes me think of a coyote more than before. It's the size, the smaller and more pointed face, and that tail.

compare: http://www.summitpost.org/image/389157/389155/letter-to-an-old-friend.html

But I'm not putting any money on it!

Arthur Digbee

Arthur Digbee - Oct 24, 2008 7:55 am - Voted 10/10

Re: Coyote?

A juvenile wolf would have a more puppy-like face. The ears on this one also say coyote.

Tie-Dye Mike

Tie-Dye Mike - Oct 24, 2008 4:26 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Coyote?

A non-SP member actually said the same about the ears! More confirmation this is just a coyote.

Arthur Digbee

Arthur Digbee - Oct 24, 2008 4:33 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: Coyote?

It's interesting (but irrelevant) that the eyes are exactly the same color as our dog, who is sometimes mistaken for a wolf.

Tie-Dye Mike

Tie-Dye Mike - Oct 24, 2008 5:46 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Coyote?

It was the eyes that made me question the species in the first place, the eyes are so impressive on this shot, probably my favorite focal point of the shot.

Patrick B

Patrick B - Oct 21, 2008 7:33 pm - Voted 10/10

Wolf

I live in a bird reserve so I see coyotes all the time. Mostly at night, however, so I could be mistaken.

pat b

Bill Kerr

Bill Kerr - Oct 21, 2008 8:42 pm - Hasn't voted

Coyote

Wolves have bigger wider heads versus the small fox like head of the coyote. Wolves have big front shoulders that are the high point of their backline(note on wolf pic) and they carry their tails up a bit versus the coyote.

BCJ

BCJ - Oct 22, 2008 12:12 pm - Voted 10/10

Coyote

I agree with Bill...looks very coyote to me. Great photo!

Tie-Dye Mike

Tie-Dye Mike - Oct 22, 2008 4:15 pm - Hasn't voted

Ok...Its a Coyote

Dammit you all shattered my dreams of a tame wolf!!! Just kidding, thank you for your inputs, comments, and votes! Glad I was able to share an exceptional day I had at YNP.

rdmc

rdmc - Oct 22, 2008 4:26 pm - Voted 10/10

I would have to agree...

The face, eyes and short legs look more like a coyote to me..... for what it is worth.
:0)

Ejnar Fjerdingstad

Ejnar Fjerdingstad - Jan 19, 2009 6:11 am - Voted 10/10

What a beautiful

animal, and well captured too in the photo!

montana boy

montana boy - Feb 28, 2009 3:19 pm - Hasn't voted

Yoter

Great picture. You have a very nice collection of area photos here.

zoey - May 8, 2009 8:37 pm - Hasn't voted

coy vs wolf

This photo looks like it is of a hybrid, most likely a female coyote mated with a male wolf. The 2nd photo to me, is a great clue to this being a hybrid. If the 3rd photo was taken in the vicinity of this hybrid, it may indeed be one of it's parent, moreso, given the fact that these are pack animals.

Great photo.

Ridgerunner755

Ridgerunner755 - Dec 5, 2009 1:11 am - Hasn't voted

Yote

I'd put a weeks pay on it being a coyote. Too pointy of a face and ears and wolves have freakishly large feet, even the pups. Nice photo though!

tarol

tarol - Dec 31, 2010 8:28 am - Voted 10/10

I've seen hundreds of coyotes

Never seen a wolf in person - but this looks definitely different than the coyotes I've seen my entire life, much different fur, more stocky, and slightly rounder ears. So I vote hybrid.

merrill

merrill - Feb 14, 2012 10:19 am - Voted 10/10

coyote

this is just a lighter color phase than most you would see.

Viewing: 1-18 of 18