August 2021 - 43

CANIDS OF WYOMING
Wyoming is home to five species of canids. They range in size from the gray wolf to the diminutive swift fox.
Read on to learn more about how to identify these species, where you can find them and a few fun facts.
Gray wolf - Gray wolves are the largest canid in Wyoming and can be distinguished
from coyotes by proportionally shorter ears and muzzles and longer legs.
Wolves are most common throughout western Wyoming, although dispersing
animals may occasionally be found outside of this area. Wolves are by far the most
social of Wyoming's canids, living in packs of up to a dozen or more consisting
of an alpha, or dominant, male and female pair and other subordinate wolves.
(Adobe Stock Photo)
Coyote - Medium in size between wolves and foxes, coyotes are the most widespread
canid in Wyoming, found statewide and in nearly every type of habitat.
Although less social than wolves, coyotes are monogamous, meaning mated
pairs of animals stay together for multiple years, working together to raise pups.
(Adobe Stock Photo)
Common gray fox - Gray foxes can be identified by a black stripe running down
their tails, grizzled back fur and patches of rust on their chest, belly and legs.
With only two confirmed observations in Wyoming, gray foxes are thought to be
extremely rare in the state. Throughout their range, gray foxes are associated
with forest and forest edges, creeks and riverbanks, brushy woodlands and
overgrown fields. Unlike other canids, gray foxes have semi-retractable claws
that enable them to climb trees to escape predators and pursue prey.
(Adobe Stock Photo)
Red fox - The largest fox species in Wyoming, red foxes can vary in appearance,
but are generally recognized by their large patches of red fur, black " socks " on
their feet and fluffy tail tipped with white. Red foxes can be found statewide
and are common around towns and other areas of development where coyotes
are absent. Red foxes have excellent hearing and can hear their small mammal
prey moving underground.
(Adobe Stock Photo)
Swift fox - Swift foxes are the smallest canid in the United States. They can be
identified by their small size, black-tipped tail and tan front legs. Once thought
to be restricted to the grasslands and sagebrush-grasslands in the eastern part
of the state, swift foxes are now found nearly statewide. Swift foxes are highly
dependent on dens they build and maintain for raising pups and for refuge
year-round.
(Photo by Francis Bergquist)
Wyoming Wildlife | 43

August 2021

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