Mammalia
(Class)
Canidae
Carnivora
(Order)
Canines
Coyote
Canis latrans
Coyotes vary in color from silvery gray to brown and sometimes black. Commonly exhibiting a red tinge behind their ears. They have a bottle shaped tail with a black tip and a pointed snout. They have a stripe on their bac compromised of long, guard hairs. Coyotes are similar to dogs but appear sleeker with a more flattened forehead. They reach weights of 11-14 kg and a maximum height of 58 cm.
Coyote diet consists of mainly deer, rabbit, hare, rodents, birds and other small animals. They may on occasion eat fruits and vegetables.
Their unique characteristic is their high pitched how that changes rapidly in tone or pitch.
Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
The Gray Fox has peppery gray fur on top with reddish-brown fur lining their belly, legs, and neck. They have a bushy tail with a black stripe on top. They have pointed ears and semi-retractable claws they use for climbing. They reach weights of 3 to 6 kg and heights of 30 to 40 cm. They are rather uncommon compared to Red Fox and can be easily distinguished by their tail coloration.
The Gray Fox was once the most prevalent fox species in the United States, but due to habitat loss their populations dwindled in comparison to red foxes. However, they have still been able to thrive in many urban and suburban environments.
Red Fox
Vulpes Vulpes
The red fox is the largest of true foxes, they have a red-orange fur base with white fur on the chest and belly with black feet. They have long bushy tails tipped with white fur, and triangular pointed ears lined with white fur. They are slightly larger than the Gray Fox reaching weights of 3.5 to 6.8 kg and a height of 40 cm.
Red fox primarily feed on small rodents but may also target birds, reptiles, invertebrates, and young ungulates. Fruit and vegetables are eaten on occasion as a supplement.
