Fox vs. Coyote: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A fox is a small, omnivorous mammal with a bushy tail and pointed snout, while a coyote is a larger, more adaptable canid, known for its distinctive howl.
Key Differences
Foxes are generally smaller than coyotes, with more delicate features like a slender build and pointed snout. Coyotes, on the other hand, are larger and sturdier with a broader snout. This size difference is one of the most noticeable distinctions between the two.
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Nov 15, 2023
In terms of habitat, foxes are highly adaptable but often prefer forested areas or urban settings. Coyotes are also adaptable but are more commonly found in open landscapes and less densely populated regions. Both animals have shown remarkable adaptability to changing environments.
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Nov 15, 2023
The social behavior of foxes and coyotes differs significantly. Foxes are more solitary, often hunting and living alone or in small family groups. Coyotes, in contrast, are known to form larger packs and exhibit more complex social structures.
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Nov 15, 2023
When it comes to vocalizations, foxes have a range of sounds for different purposes, but their vocalizations are less prominent than those of coyotes. Coyotes are known for their distinctive howls, which they use for communication within their packs and to mark territory.
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Nov 15, 2023
The diet of a fox typically includes rodents, insects, fruit, and birds. Coyotes have a more varied diet, consuming larger prey like deer and livestock, as well as fruits, rodents, and carrion. Their dietary flexibility is a key factor in their widespread distribution.
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Nov 15, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Fox and Coyote Definitions
Fox
A member of a Native American people formerly inhabiting various parts of southern Michigan, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and eastern Iowa, with present-day populations in central Iowa and with the Sauk in Oklahoma.
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Coyote
A wild canid native to North America, known for its adaptability and vocalizations.
The coyote howled under the moonlit sky.
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Coyote
A person who smuggles immigrants across borders, especially into the United States.
The refugees relied on a coyote to cross the border.
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Fox
Any of various carnivorous mammals of the family Canidae and especially of the genus Vulpes, found worldwide and characteristically having upright ears, a pointed snout, and a long bushy tail.
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Coyote
An opportunistic or cunning person.
He was as wily as a coyote in his business dealings.
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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.
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Coyote
A firefighter who is sent to battle remote, usually very severe forest fires, often for days at a time.
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Coyote
(Slang) A person who smuggles undocumented immigrants into the United States, especially across the Mexican border.
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Fox
(Nautical) Small cordage made by twisting together two or more strands of tarred yarn.
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Coyote
A smuggler of undocumented immigrants across the land border from Latin America into the United States of America.
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Coyote
To prospect for gold by manually digging holes into overlying earth, as into a hillside.
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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.
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Coyote
Someone who smuggles illegal immigrants into the United States (usually acress the Mexican border)
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Coyote
A forest fire fighter who is sent to battle remote and severe forest fires (often for days at a time)
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Coyote
A symbol of craftiness in various Native American mythologies.
In the story, the coyote tricked the other animals.
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Coyote
A self-reliant, adventurous person.
She had a coyote's spirit, always exploring new territories.
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Fox
A red fox, small carnivore (Vulpes vulpes), related to dogs and wolves, with red or silver fur and a bushy tail.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
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Fox
Any of numerous species of small wild canids resembling the red fox. In the taxonomy they form the tribe Vulpini within the family Canidae, consisting of nine genera (see the Wikipedia article on the fox).
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Fox
The gemmeous dragonet, a fish, Callionymus lyra, so called from its yellow color.
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Fox
(nautical) A small strand of rope made by twisting several rope-yarns together. Used for seizings, mats, sennits, and gaskets.
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Fox
(obsolete) A sword; so called from the stamp of a fox on the blade, or perhaps of a wolf taken for a fox.
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Fox
(transitive) To trick, fool or outwit (someone) by cunning or ingenuity.
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Fox
(transitive) To confuse or baffle (someone).
This crossword puzzle has completely foxed me.
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Fox
(intransitive) To discolour paper. Fox marks are spots on paper caused by humidity. (See foxing.)
The pages of the book show distinct foxing.
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Fox
(intransitive) To turn sour; said of beer, etc., when it sours in fermenting.
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Fox
(transitive) To repair (boots) with new front upper leather, or to piece the upper fronts of.
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Fox
A carnivorous animal of the genus Vulpes, family Canidæ, of many species. The European fox (V. vulgaris or V. vulpes), the American red fox (V. fulvus), the American gray fox (V. Virginianus), and the arctic, white, or blue, fox (V. lagopus) are well-known species.
Subtle as the fox for prey.
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Fox
The fox shark or thrasher shark; - called also sea fox. See Thrasher shark, under Shark.
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Fox
Rope yarn twisted together, and rubbed with tar; - used for seizings or mats.
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Fox
A sword; - so called from the stamp of a fox on the blade, or perhaps of a wolf taken for a fox.
Thou diest on point of fox.
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Fox
A tribe of Indians which, with the Sacs, formerly occupied the region about Green Bay, Wisconsin; - called also Outagamies.
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Fox
To intoxicate; to stupefy with drink.
I drank . . . so much wine that I was almost foxed.
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Fox
To repair the feet of, as of boots, with new front upper leather, or to piece the upper fronts of.
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Fox
Alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
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Fox
English statesman who supported American independence and the French Revolution (1749-1806)
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Fox
English religious leader who founded the Society of Friends (1624-1691)
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Fox
A member of an Algonquian people formerly living west of Lake Michigan along the Fox River
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Fox
Deceive somebody;
We tricked the teacher into thinking that class would be cancelled next week
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Fox
Be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly;
These questions confuse even the experts
This question completely threw me
This question befuddled even the teacher
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Fox
A small to medium-sized omnivorous mammal of the Canidae family with a bushy tail.
The red fox stealthily approached the henhouse.
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Fox
A cunning or sly person.
He was known as a fox in the business world for his clever strategies.
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Fox
To act cunningly or deceitfully.
She foxed her way through the negotiation.
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Fox
To repair or adjust a mechanism in an ingenious way.
He foxed the old car's engine to make it run again.
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Fox
A member of a Native American people of various northeastern states.
The Fox tribe played a significant role in the region's history.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are foxes known for being cunning?
Yes, foxes are often characterized as cunning or sly in folklore.
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Do coyotes live in packs?
Coyotes often form larger packs and have complex social structures.
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Can foxes adapt to urban environments?
Yes, many fox species have adapted well to urban settings.
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Are foxes solitary animals?
Foxes are more solitary, often living alone or in small family groups.
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Do foxes have a varied diet?
Foxes typically eat rodents, insects, fruit, and birds.
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Are coyotes bigger than foxes?
Yes, coyotes are generally larger and sturdier than foxes.
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Can foxes climb trees?
Some fox species, like the gray fox, can climb trees.
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What are the typical habitats of coyotes?
Coyotes are commonly found in open landscapes and rural areas.
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What is a distinctive feature of coyote communication?
Coyotes are known for their distinctive howls.
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What colors do foxes come in?
Foxes can be red, gray, black, white, or a mix of these colors.
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Do foxes have a bushy tail?
Yes, one of the distinctive features of a fox is its bushy tail.
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What is the size of a fox's territory?
Fox territories vary in size but are generally smaller than those of coyotes.
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Do coyotes howl for a specific reason?
Coyotes howl to communicate with pack members and to mark territory.
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Is the coyote a symbol in Native American cultures?
Yes, the coyote is a symbol of craftiness in many Native American mythologies.
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Do foxes hibernate?
No, foxes do not hibernate but may be less active in winter.
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Are coyotes nocturnal?
Coyotes are primarily nocturnal but can be active at any time.
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Can coyotes adapt to different environments?
Yes, coyotes are highly adaptable and can thrive in various environments.
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How do coyotes hunt?
Coyotes often hunt in packs and can take down larger prey.
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Nov 15, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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