North America is home to a large number of foxes and coyotes. Though they rarely contact in the wild, these two species do interact often.
However, the social dynamics can be quickly altered by a cadaver, causing these animals to become hostile instead of tolerant of one another.
The size and weight of coyotes is almost twice that of foxes. Additionally, they move more quickly than red foxes, reaching up to 43 mph as opposed to 30 mph. When it comes to biting, coyotes bite with a force of 727 PSI, whereas foxes bite at about 307 PSI. The fox wouldn’t have any chance in a one-on-one battle.
A brief comparison between fox vs coyote may be seen in the table below:
Characteristics | Fox | Coyote |
---|---|---|
Classification (species) | Vulpes vulpes | Canis latrans |
Body length | 2.8 feet | 3 feet |
Height (size) | 16 inches | 24 inches |
Skull size (length) | Approx. 8 inches | Approx. 6 inches |
Scat size (length) | 2 to 3 inches | 4 to 7 inches |
Weight | ||
Paw size | 1.5 x 2 inches | 2 x 2.5 inches |
Speed | 30 mph | 43 mph |
Strike force | Up to 540 lb.-ft./s | Up to 2,150 lb.-ft./s |
Jumping abilities | 3 feet | 6 feet |
Bite force | 307 PSI | 727 PSI |
Behavior | Solitary | Semi-solitary |
Diet | Omnivorous | Omnivorous |
Geographical range | over most of the hemispheric regions, both north and south | North America and Central America |
Habitat | Forests, grasslands, mountains, deserts | large regions like deserts and prairies |
Research papers, scientific journals, periodicals, and other official sources provided the data for the table. The morphological, behavioral, and strength characteristics of red foxes—the most prevalent fox species in North America—were taken into consideration for comparison. The traits and strength information of gray and arctic foxes may differ.
The peak speed for each species was multiplied by the top weight shown in the table to get the strike forces.
14 Differences Between Fox Vs Coyote
1. Classification
Foxes and coyotes belong to the same family. However, they are fairly distant relatives.
Red foxes are members of the Vulpes genus (true foxes) and Vulpes vulpes species, despite being members of the Canidae family. There are forty-five subspecies of them that are found all throughout the planet, with the exception of a few areas like Tasmania.
Coyotes, like wolves, dingoes, and domestic dogs, belong to the genus Canis. There are at least 19 subspecies of the genus Canis latrans, and they are all found in Northern and Central America.
In certain environments, coyotes and red foxes are the dominant predators. Coyotes have the ability to kill foxes in shared habitats, yet they do not actively hunt or consume them.
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2. Size
Body Length
Besides from fur color, the size difference between red foxes and coyotes is the most noticeable. If coyote females may grow larger than fox males, foxes are roughly twice as little as coyotes.
Red foxes may grow to a body length of 1.8 to 2.8 feet on average. Coyotes can reach lengths of three feet and more. On the other hand, male eastern coyotes have been known to grow bigger, sometimes reaching lengths of 4.5 feet.
Even though determining an animal’s size from a distance might be difficult, the coat color can assist identify a fox from a coyote.
Red foxes have white undersides and a reddish brown coat that is darker on the legs and tail. The primary colors of coyotes are red and light gray, with splotches of black and white. The undersides and legs have a white color.
Both animals have bushy tails, however a red fox’s tail is a dark reddish brown hue, whereas a coyote’s tail is primarily dark gray.
Height
The height differential between coyotes and foxes is another significant distinction; the former are around eight inches higher than the latter.
They grow to a shoulder height of 24 inches on average. In contrast, red foxes never grow taller than 16 inches.
When identifying the two species in the wild, the height differential, in addition to fur color and length, can be helpful.
3. Skull Size (Length)
Coyotes and foxes are members of the same family, and their skulls are quite similar. The most clear difference is in size.
Compared to fox skulls, coyote skulls are around two inches longer. In particular, the length of a coyote’s skull is around eight inches, whereas that of a fox is approximately six inches.
Both animals have extended snouts and huge braincases in their elongated skulls.
Additionally, the dental formula is the same. Twenty of the teeth are located on the upper jaw and twenty are located on the lower jaw in coyotes and red foxes.
They have a dental formula called I.C.P.M. for each side of their jaw. (incisors, canines, premolars, and molars) 3.1.4.2/3.1.4.2.
4. Scat Size
The general form and look of the droppings that coyotes and foxes leave behind is another resemblance.
Both species produce roughly cylindrical, dark brown scat that is mostly made up of fur, small bones, feathers, seeds, and berries.
Urban-dwelling foxes and coyotes may have lighter-colored droppings that may contain remnants of cooking scraps.
Coyote scat varies in length from four to seven inches and in thickness from 0.5 to 1 inch. The red fox scat has a length of two to three inches and a thickness of up to 0.5 inches.
5. Weight
In the animal kingdom, weight is a valuable characteristic. An animal’s ability to produce force is directly proportional to its weight.
Furthermore, although the majority of animals utilize their bite to repel an adversary, it is still rather advantageous to be able to cause the opponent to lose balance by smashing into it. Fox vs coyote given that coyotes are almost twice as large as red foxes, it is not surprising that they weigh more.
Coyotes range in weight from 20 to 50 pounds on average. With weights ranging from 10 to 18 pounds, red foxes are significantly lighter.
6. Paw Size
The bigger paws that coyotes have than red foxes is another observable feature.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that a coyote’s paw measures around 2 inches by 2.5 inches. The size of a red fox’s paws is approximately 1.5″ by 2″. But there are other factors than size that can aid in identifying canid tracks.
The second and third toes of the oval front paws of most canids point in opposite directions from one another.
The second and third toes of coyotes are located closer to one another; they both point forward and have claws facing the same direction.
This characteristic facilitates the separation of coyote footprints from those of red foxes, wolves, and dogs.
7. Speed
The speed of coyotes is another advantage; these canids can run as fast as 43 miles per hour.
Only short distances may be covered at a maximum speed of thirty miles per hour by red foxes. They run even slower on a regular basis.
Like fox vs coyote are limited in how far they can run at their maximum pace. Even at regular running pace, they are still quicker than foxes.
8. Strike Force
Mammals seldom have their striking force recorded, although it is simple to find simply multiplying their speed by their weight.
According to these characteristics, the striking force might be varied each time the animal hits. To make a comparison, we took into account the maximum weight that fox vs coyote might achieve as well as the highest speed of each species.
These figures indicate that foxes are capable of striking with up to 540 lb.-ft./s, or almost 16.7 pounds of power.
Coyotes, on the other hand, have a maximum striking force of 2,150 lb.-ft./s, or 66.8 pounds. As a result, coyotes are four times as powerful than red foxes.
9. Jumping Abilities
Coyotes, like red foxes and other canids, are not considered to be particularly skilled climbers. They are not as good jumpers as foxes, but they can still jump.
Coyotes can actually jump up to three feet in the air. Red foxes can leap over obstacles up to six feet tall with ease, despite their tiny stature.
despite the fact that this is the only thing going for foxes in their favor, if they can jump over a fence or up a tree where coyotes can’t get to them, it could be all they need to go to safety.
In terms of climbing, it should be mentioned that red fox vs coyote can both ascend trees, despite the fact that they are not thought to be skilled climbers, provided they can reach branches that have a gentler inclination and don’t require the use of claws to hold the bark.
10. Bite Force
Red foxes are superior to coyotes at jumping and climbing, as previously mentioned. That’s where their benefits end, though.
Fox vs coyote, Coyotes are stronger than foxes when it comes to biting force. In fact, they are capable of biting with a force of about 727 PSI. A red fox bite only exerts 307 PSI, which is almost two times less force.
The bites of these creatures are powerful enough to rip flesh from bones and kill victims. The biting force of an adult is just 162 PSI, to put things into context. However, in a combat between the two canid species, coyotes would be clearly superior. In spite of this, it’s fascinating to note that, pound for pound, red foxes’ jaws are stronger than coyotes’.
An estimate of an animal’s biting force depending on its body mass is provided by scientists using the bite force quotient (BFQ).
According to a study on the biting forces of different animal species, coyotes have a bite force quotient (BFQ) of just 88, whereas red foxes have a BFQ of 90.
11. Behavior
The fact that foxes are more agile climbers and may possess a greater biting force quotient than coyotes does not guarantee that they would prevail in a battle.
Coyotes have all the advantages if strength is determined by numbers. Despite their solitary foraging habits, coyotes are essentially gregarious creatures who dwell in groups.
Since coyotes are monogamous, packs usually consist of family groups, however occasionally unrelated coyotes may be welcomed into a pack. Coyotes do not often protect their territory, unless it is the denning season, despite their social structure.
Red foxes are solitary creatures, in contrast to coyotes. Although they seldom do so, females that are mated to the same male like to dwell in groups.
It is true that red fox females are usually monogamous. The majority of men are monogamous as well, while some could look for other relationships.
Considering the exception of these situations, females and their dependent or unmated progeny compose the majority of groups.
12. Diet
However eating mostly meat, coyotes and red foxes are classified as omnivores and are capable of competing with one another for the same resources.
Typically, red foxes hunt tiny animals like rodents, rabbits, and occasionally even birds and reptiles. They also eat insects and other arthropods.
In addition, foxes consume various plant materials, fruits, berries, and eggs. Living close to populated areas would also allow them to profit from kitchen waste.
Coyotes like similar things. Along with other invertebrates, they also hunt insects and reptiles and small animals.
Coyotes are opportunistic creatures who prey on human settlements and food leftovers due to their close proximity. Coyotes have the ability to hunt in groups and take down quite large prey.
When they come across carcasses and carrion, fox vs coyote both eat them.
13. Geographic Range
A common and invasive species, red foxes may be found in most parts of the world. The species is native to Eurasia and North America, however it is presently found in the southern hemisphere.
For example, red foxes that were brought to Australia are now an invasive species, present across all Australian territory with the exception of Tasmania. Additionally, they can be found in Chile and Argentina in South America.
The range of coyotes is limited to North and Central America, extending from Canada all the way south to Mexico.
Fox vs Coyote are regarded as an invasive species that have spread outside their natural area over time, much like red foxes.
14. Habitat
In general, coyotes favor wide-open spaces like deserts, grasslands, and plains. However, open forests, urban parks, and suburban regions are also home to them.
Semi-open areas, such the boundaries of woods and brushlands, are preferred by red foxes. They live in urban and rural settings as well as meadows and prairies.
As one might expect, red fox vs coyote frequently occupy the same habitat throughout North and Central America.
Who Would Win A Battle?
Because coyote are bigger and more powerful than fox vs coyote are regarded as the top predator when they coexist in the wild.
Coyotes do not, however, actively pursue foxes. Generally, unless a fox gets too close to a coyote’s food, they will accept them. Here, foxes are known to be killed by coyotes.
Red foxes have little chance of winning this fight because of the disparity in size and strength plus the fact that coyotes hunt and feed in packs at times. Its only hope would be to leap over a fence high enough to discourage the coyote and reach safety.
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