Similar to Dog Tracks Coyote tracks are incredibly similar to the tracks of a dog. Even some dog tracks may be completely similar to coyote tracks. However, coyote tracks still have certain features that distinct them from dog tracks and the tracks of other animals.

Speaking of coyotes, we must mention that these wolf-like animals are extremely elusive and that they stay away from humans as much as they can. However, there are occasional reports of coyotes attacking pets, domestic animals, and livestock. There are even reports of coyotes attacking humans, and even children. Knowing this all will probably make you curious whether coyotes inhabit your area or not. And how do you find that out? Well, you find that out by coyote tracks. In this article, we will talk about the features of coyote tracks that will help you identify coyote tracks and possibly save your life.

Coyote Paw Print Shape
Coyote paw prints are usually much more oval than dog paw prints. This means that coyote paw prints are much longer than they are wide. Dog paws are usually rounder than they are oval. Like cat and dog paws, coyotes also have a heel pad as well as four toes.

According to various wildlife experts, coyotes make larger heel impressions than canines. The space between the heel pad and the toes, which is called negative space, is pretty much larger in coyotes than in canines.

Paw Print Size
As far as you know, domesticated dogs come in a huge number of shapes and sizes, from tiny Chihuahuas to the massive Tibetan Mastiffs. From this, we can conclude that the prints of domestic canines can vary in size and shape. Just like canine prints vary in size, coyote prints also vary in size and shape. However, the truth is that coyote prints vary in size but to lesser degree. Generally, a coyote’s front paw will measure circa 2 and a half inches in length and 2 inches in width. The hind paw print of a coyote is circa 2 1/4 inches in length and 1 3/4 inches in width.





Claws Clues
Unlike felines, neither domestic canines nor coyotes can retract their claws. This means that claw marks are always visible in a coyote’s track. Dog claw marks always show four claws while coyote claw marks only show two claw marks on the middle toes.

Read the Pest Wildlife Home Page page for helpful information and to learn more about How to identify coyote tracks

How to identify coyote tracks