Coyote vs hyena are famous for their intelligence, stealth and voracious appetites. They do not share a habitat and are both scavengers and apex predators.
But who would be victorious having battles between hyenas and coyotes?
Coyotes are wild members of the canids family and have similarities with wolves but are comparatively small. Hyenas look a lot like canids but are most related to the cat family species. The diets and behaviors of both species are comparable. But hyenas are more powerful than coyotes. Their strikes are more powerful, and their jaws are stronger. Hyenas would probably prevail in a one-on-one fight, but coyotes are quicker and may get away from the attacker.
A brief comparison of coyote vs hyena is shown in the table below:
| Characteristic | Coyote | Hyena |
|---|---|---|
| Body size | 3.3 to 4.3 ft | 3.25 to 3.75 ft |
| Weight | 20 to 50 pound | 57 to 90 pound |
| Speed | 43 mph | 31 mph |
| Teeth length | 1.45 inches | <1 inch |
| Bite force | 727 PSI | 1,100 PSI |
| Strike force | Up to 2,150 lb.-ft./s | Up to 2,790 lb.-ft./s |
| Behavior | Mostly social; aggressive | Mostly solitary; aggressive |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Habitat | North & Central America | Africa, Asia, Middle East, Siberia |
| Conservation status | Least concern | Near threatened |
The most common striped hyena species worldwide was taken into consideration for comparison. Only Africa is home to spotted hyenas and other hyena species. The coyote data in the above table pertains to averages in general. Each subspecies of coyote may have different traits and strengths.
The strike forces in the table were computed by multiplying the maximum weight by the peak speed specified.
Coyote Vs Hyena: Differences & Strength Comparison
1. Body Size
Coyotes and hyenas are two of the smallest predators in their areas. Coyotes are just a little bigger when compared to the two and measures 3.3 to 4.3 feet long.
The size ranges of a striped hyena are an overall length of 3.25 to 3.75 feet. Spotted hyenas, on the other hand, are bigger than coyotes and can grow to an average length of 4 to 5.9 feet.
At shoulder level, striped hyenas reach a height of 26 to 30 inches. With an average shoulder height of 24 inches, coyotes are a little shorter than other animals.
The majority of coyotes and striped hyenas are almost the same size, though, because these ranges encompass the extremes.
2. Paw Size
Although hyenas are slightly smaller than coyotes, they do have larger paws. They actually have paws that are about 3 by 4 inches in size. The size of a coyote’s paw print is around 1.5–2 by 2.5 inches.
A significant distinction between hyenas and coyotes is the paw’s form.
Along with dogs and wolves, coyotes are members of the Caniform suborder of the Canidae family.
They are rectangular in shape, having larger lengths and narrower widths. Because they lack retractable claws, coyotes’ claws are also visible.
Although hyenas may have a canid-like look, they belong to the Feliform suborder. According to this suborder, which also contains mongooses, civets, cats, and associates, hyenas are more closely linked to large cats than to coyotes.
As a result, their paws are rounder, resembling those of large cats, and their claw prints are less noticeable.
However, because hyenas do not have retractable claws the tips of the claws would still show in the prints.
3. Weight
The only real difference between hyenas and coyotes is in weight; the former are generally lighter than the latter.
Striped hyenas normally have a body mass of between 2578kg or 57-90 pounds. Their weight is a result of their muscular and stocky bodies.
Despite their bigger stature, coyotes have more slender bodies. They weigh between 20 to 50 pounds, which makes them roughly twice as light as hyenas. They can move more quickly since they are lighter.
Nonetheless, hyenas are superior in terms of striking force.
4. Speed
As earlier described coyotes are faster and lighter as compared to hyenas. The lion has a very good speed when in pursuit an artifact, it can achieve a top speed of 43 miles per hour.
That is why hyenas, which are scavengers in the main, are considered to be predators. Their maximum speed is limited to around 31 miles per hour due to their stockier bodies’ inability to move as quickly. In the world of apex predators, that is a really bad performance, even though it is still far faster than most people.
In actuality, lions, tigers, and even brown bears can outrun hyenas in addition to coyotes.
Sea also: Coyote Teeth(Dental Formula and 5 Best Facts)
5. Teeth Length
Longer teeth would be another advantage for a coyote in a battle.
Coyote teeth have been found to reach a maximum length of 1.45 inches. Hyenas, on the other hand, have canines that are little under an inch long.
Longer teeth, however, are only advantageous in terms of possible wounds and injuries. The reason for this is that hyenas’ jaws are stronger.
6. Bite Force
Since hyenas have stronger jaws and a bite force that is about twice as high as coyotes’, longer teeth aren’t really a remarkable weapon for coyotes.
According to a study comparing the biting forces of large predators, coyotes have a bite force quotient (BFQ) of just 88, while hyenas had a BFQ of 113. For hyenas, this translates to over 1,100 PSI of biting power, whereas for coyotes, it only amounts to 727 PSI.
Compared to coyotes, hyenas are able to cause far more harm because of their stronger bite force. In actuality, hyenas have the ability to crush and consume bones, whereas the latter may tear the flesh from them and occasionally devour them.
7. Strike Force
The hyena’s striking power is another advantage.
By multiplying the peak speed by body mass, the impact force can be easily calculated, notwithstanding the paucity of research on the actual strike forces of animals.
In order to do this comparison, we multiplied the maximum speed that each species is capable of achieving by the widest weight range.
Despite their speed, coyotes weigh significantly less than hyenas. Because of this, they are at a disadvantage and can only generate an impact force of 2,150 lb.-ft./s, or around 66 pounds of force.
Due to their greater weight and slower speed, hyenas are able to achieve an impact force of 2,790 lb.-ft./s, or roughly 87 pounds of force. On the basis of physical power alone, it is obvious who would win a fight.
8. Behavior
Both hyenas and coyotes are semi-social mammals. Both species primarily hunt or forage alone and reside in small family groupings.
Members of groups sleep together in shared dens during the day. Coyote vs hyena are both typically nocturnal creatures. Nonetheless, it’s simple to see coyote vs hyena both moving around during the day.
The breeding behaviors of each species exhibit behavioral differences.
Coyotes, like most mammals, are monogamous, and an adult female koala will mate with the same adult male koala throughout her life.
Despite normally being able to produce six or fewer pups for each litter, there is a real potential of launching up to 19 offsprings per litter and all this in a pregnancy period that is approximately 65 days. It confides normally once a year, preferably between the months of January and March.
Both male and female dogs reach sexual maturity at approximately 10 months of age while pups are disowned at 49 days of their age.
It is likely that both hyenas of one pair may breed with other hyenas from the same or different clan, even though hyenas belong to the socially monogamous category.
Hyenas gestation period is 3 months and they are known to breed at any one time of the year. The hyenas, females can be pregnant for up to 90 days, and normally they can produce an average of three cubs and litters are even smaller than coyotes.
9. Diet
Despite being apex predators, coyote vs hyena are not solely carnivores. Actually, the diets of both species are omnivorous.
As already established being mostly scavengers the striped hyenas feed on carcasses with large herbivores like impalas, zebras and gazelles forming part of their prey. Most of the prey includes small mammals and birds including rats, hares, small birds and reptiles.
Hyenas typically add plant elements, primarily fruits, to their diets whether they hunt or consume carcasses. Hyenas that live close to human areas also exploit trash dumps because they are opportunistic mammals.
Although coyotes may hunt and kill prey on their own if they so choose, they are opportunistic scavengers, much like hyenas.
Wolves and bears many leave their kills to other hyenas to scavenge for and carrion together with other dead animals forms their main diet.
Furthermore they are carnivorous, and prey to rodents, rabbits, small deer especially fawns and also carnivorous domestic animals such as dogs and cats, as well as fowls and other livestock. In addition to this, they supplement the food they eat with plant food such as berries and some kinds of grass.
10. Habitat
The geographic ranges of coyote vs hyena are diverse; they are found in Africa and Asia, respectively, and North and Central America. Their habitats are not all that dissimilar, though.
Despite their adaptability, coyotes are typically found in wetlands, grasslands, woods, and deserts.
Although they can be found in grasslands, deserts, and savannas, hyenas often inhabit scrub forests.
11. Conservation Status
Finally, the conservation status of coyote vs hyena is another distinction.
The coyote is a typical species all over North America and some regions of Central America. On the contrary, they are the least worried and they are not even at risk.
Most U.S. states allow year-round hunting of these mammals under a general license. States may differ in their hunting seasons and rules, though.
The species of striped hyena is in danger of extinction. In certain nations, like Tanzania, they are hunted. The majority of nations, however, forbid hunting hyenas.
Who Would Win A Fight?
Even though coyote vs hyena inhabit in different places of the planet, hyenas would probably prevail in a fight.
Despite being marginally smaller than coyotes, they weigh more and have larger bodies. Despite having shorter canines than coyotes, they have a stronger bite force and a stronger impact force.
Although none of the two species has keen claws, hyenas are able to deal greater harm due to their larger paws. Even if a coyote can escape and avoid serious injuries because they are considerably faster than hyenas, a hyena would always have the upper hand in a one-on-one encounter.
Pingback: Pitbull Vs Coyote: 11 Amazing Differences(Who Would Win A Fight?) - Wildlifeboss.info