Coyotes (Canis latrans) are widespread members of the dog family, inhabiting diverse environments across North and Central America. These adaptable canids are often mistaken for other wildlife, making accurate identification based on physical traits crucial for observers. Distinguishing a coyote from a domestic dog, wolf, or fox often comes down to minute physical details, particularly the characteristics of its tail. The tail serves a dual function, acting as a means of communication and a thermal aid, and its features—including its color, shape, and carriage—are distinct markers of the species.
Tail Tip Color and the Supracaudal Gland
The answer to whether a coyote has a white-tipped tail is generally no, as the fur at the very end of a coyote’s tail is typically black or dark brown. While some rare individual coyotes or those with domestic dog ancestry might exhibit a white tip, the overwhelming majority display a dark coloration at the terminus. The tail itself is quite bushy and long, usually measuring about 16 inches in length. It is carried low, often tucked between the hind legs when the animal is running or feeling threatened.
A more definitive marker is the presence of the supracaudal gland, sometimes called the violet gland. This gland is located on the dorsal, or upper, surface of the tail, near the base. On a coyote, the fur covering this gland often appears as a distinct, dark, or black spot. The supracaudal gland releases a musky, oily secretion that is used extensively in social communication and scent-marking among canids.
Distinguishing the Coyote Tail from Other Canids
The question of a white-tipped tail arises so often because it is a defining characteristic of another common North American canid, the Red Fox. Red Foxes have long, incredibly bushy tails that often feature a prominent, bright white tip, making the contrast with the coyote’s dark tip a primary distinction. Furthermore, the Red Fox’s tail is significantly longer relative to its body size compared to the coyote’s.
The Gray Fox’s tail, however, is similar to the coyote’s in that it is typically tipped with black fur. To differentiate the two, one must look at overall size and proportion; the Gray Fox is much smaller than the coyote, but its tail is comparatively longer. When comparing the coyote to its larger relative, the Gray Wolf, the coyote’s tail appears noticeably skinnier and shorter in proportion to its body. While wolves may also have a black-tipped tail, their tail carriage is distinct, as they tend to hold it straight out or horizontally, unlike the downward carriage observed in the coyote.