Coyote vs. Hyena: Know the Difference
By Dua Fatima & Hifza Nasir || Published on September 2, 2024
Coyotes are medium-sized canids native to North America, known for their adaptability and vocalizations. Hyenas, found in Africa and Asia, are larger, known for their powerful jaws and complex social structures.
Key Differences
Coyotes (Canis latrans) are versatile, medium-sized canids primarily found in North America, recognized for their adaptability to diverse environments, from deserts to urban areas. Hyenas, particularly spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), are larger carnivores native to African savannas and forests, noted for their unique social hierarchy and powerful jaws capable of crushing bones.
Dua Fatima
Sep 02, 2024
Coyotes have a varied diet that includes rodents, fruits, and small ungulates, showcasing their opportunistic feeding habits. In contrast, hyenas are known scavengers and hunters, with a diet that heavily includes carrion and the ability to take down large prey as a clan, highlighting their cooperative hunting strategies.
Hifza Nasir
Sep 02, 2024
The social structure of coyotes is relatively flexible, often seen as solitary individuals or in small family groups. Hyenas, especially spotted hyenas, live in complex, matriarchal societies called clans, consisting of up to 80 individuals, demonstrating their sophisticated social behaviors.
Dua Fatima
Sep 02, 2024
Coyotes communicate through a series of vocalizations, including howls, yips, and barks, which play a significant role in their social interactions and territorial behaviors. Hyenas are also vocal animals but are best known for their laughter-like sounds, which communicate excitement, frustration, or social status within their clans.
Hifza Nasir
Sep 02, 2024
Both coyotes and hyenas play crucial roles in their respective ecosystems as top or near-top predators, helping to control prey populations and remove carrion. However, their adaptations, behaviors, and interactions with humans vary significantly due to their distinct evolutionary paths and geographical distributions.
Shumaila Saeed
Sep 02, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Social Structure
Solitary or small family groups
Complex clans with matriarchal societies
Dua Fatima
Sep 02, 2024
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Conservation Status
Least Concern (varies by region)
Spotted hyena: Least Concern, others vary
Hifza Nasir
Sep 02, 2024
Coyote and Hyena Definitions
Coyote
Plays a role in ecosystem balance as a predator and scavenger.
Coyotes help control the rodent population, contributing to ecological balance.
Dua Fatima
Mar 01, 2024
Hyena
Large carnivores known for their powerful jaws and complex social structures.
Hyenas, with their powerful jaws, can crush bones to access marrow.
Dua Fatima
Mar 01, 2024
Coyote
Communicates with distinctive vocalizations for social interaction.
The coyote's howl pierced the quiet night, signaling its presence.
Dua Fatima
Mar 01, 2024
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Hyena
Exhibits a matriarchal society within large clans.
The hyena clan is led by a dominant female, overseeing social organization.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 01, 2024
Coyote
A medium-sized canid native to North America, adaptable to various habitats.
Coyotes have expanded their range into urban areas, demonstrating remarkable adaptability.
Dua Fatima
Mar 01, 2024
Hyena
Utilizes vocalizations, including laughter-like sounds, for communication.
Hyenas communicate excitement or frustration through their characteristic laughs.
Dua Fatima
Mar 01, 2024
Coyote
Often forms small family groups or remains solitary.
A solitary coyote wandered through the desert, searching for food.
Dua Fatima
Mar 01, 2024
Hyena
Primarily found in African savannas and forests.
Spotted hyenas thrive in the vast savannas of Africa, forming large clans.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 01, 2024
Coyote
Known for their opportunistic diet, including rodents and fruits.
A coyote was spotted hunting small rodents near the creek.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 01, 2024
Hyena
Cooperative hunters, capable of taking down large prey as a group.
The hyena clan worked together to hunt a wildebeest, showcasing their cooperative skills.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 01, 2024
Coyote
A wolflike carnivorous mammal (Canis latrans) of North and Central America, having grayish-brown or yellowish fur, large erect ears, and a drooping bushy tail. Also called prairie wolf.
Dua Fatima
Mar 01, 2024
Hyena
Any of several carnivorous mammals of the family Hyaenidae of Africa and Asia, which feed as scavengers and have powerful jaws, relatively short hind limbs, and coarse hair.
Dua Fatima
Mar 01, 2024
Coyote
A carnivorous animal (Canis latrans), allied to the dog, found in the western part of North America; - called also prairie wolf. Its voice is a snapping bark, followed by a prolonged, shrill howl.
Dua Fatima
Mar 01, 2024
Hyena
Any of the medium-sized to large feliform carnivores of the subfamily Hyaenidae, native to Africa and Asia and noted for the sound similar to laughter which they can make if excited.
Dua Fatima
Mar 01, 2024
Coyote
Someone who smuggles illegal immigrants into the United States (usually acress the Mexican border)
Hifza Nasir
Mar 01, 2024
Hyena
Any carnivorous mammal of the family Hyænidæ, doglike nocturnal mammals of Africa and southern Asia, of which three living species are known. They are large and strong, but cowardly. They feed chiefly on carrion, and are nocturnal in their habits.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 01, 2024
Hyena
Doglike nocturnal mammal of Africa and southern Asia that feeds chiefly on carrion
Dua Fatima
Mar 01, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What's the main difference between a coyote and a hyena?
Coyotes are medium-sized canids native to North America, adaptable and omnivorous, while hyenas are larger, African carnivores with powerful jaws and complex social structures.
Hifza Nasir
Sep 02, 2024
How do coyotes and hyenas communicate?
Coyotes communicate through howls, yips, and barks, while hyenas are known for their laughter-like sounds and a range of vocalizations that convey social information.
Dua Fatima
Sep 02, 2024
What are the social structures of coyotes and hyenas?
Coyotes may live solitarily or in small family groups, whereas hyenas form complex, matriarchal societies within large clans.
Hifza Nasir
Sep 02, 2024
Can coyotes and hyenas be found in the same habitat?
No, coyotes are native to North America, while hyenas are found in Africa and parts of Asia, occupying different ecological niches.
Dua Fatima
Sep 02, 2024
Are hyenas related to dogs or cats?
Despite some dog-like appearances, hyenas are more closely related to felines and belong to their own family, Hyaenidae.
Shumaila Saeed
Sep 02, 2024
Is it common for coyotes to live in urban areas?
Yes, coyotes have shown a remarkable ability to adapt to urban environments, expanding their habitats into cities across North America.
Dua Fatima
Sep 02, 2024
How do coyotes and hyenas hunt?
Coyotes typically hunt alone or in pairs, focusing on smaller prey and omnivorous diets. In contrast, hyenas are cooperative hunters, often taking down larger prey as a group.
Dua Fatima
Sep 02, 2024
How do hyenas' jaws compare to other predators?
Hyenas have some of the strongest jaws among carnivores, allowing them to crush bones and access marrow, a trait not shared by coyotes.
Hifza Nasir
Sep 02, 2024
What conservation status do coyotes and hyenas have?
Coyotes are generally considered of Least Concern, with populations stable or increasing. Spotted hyenas are also of Least Concern, but other hyena species may vary in conservation status.
Shumaila Saeed
Sep 02, 2024
What role do coyotes and hyenas play in their ecosystems?
Both species are crucial for maintaining ecological balance, controlling prey populations, and scavenging, albeit in different continents and ecosystems.
Shumaila Saeed
Sep 02, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Dua Fatima
Co-written by
Hifza Nasir
Hifza Nasir
Shumaila Saeed
