Canis Latrans. Half way between a fox and wolf

You hear them a lot more often than you see them. Howls at night, barks, and yelps can precede sightings in the spring and fall. Humans have carried an irrational fear of Coyotes (and the much larger wolves) for a long time. Coyotes average 2 feet in height and 3 feet in length and weigh in at 20 to 70 pounds. They prey on small animals and are valuable at keeping mice populations in check. Occasionally packs have been known to bring down sheep and deer, particularly the smaller and slower offspring. Most often the animals hunt alone (or pairs) but can form hunting packs when needed. It is not understood why berries and vegetation are part of their diet.

Coyotes like valley bottoms and open forest or grassy areas.

Coyotes resemble a medium sized dog with gray fur, tinted reddish and white. The tail is long and bushy usually with a black tip. Like a dog it will run with its tail between its legs when frightened.

When running quickly the hind paws (smaller) will
land in front of the tracks laid down by the front paws.

You are most likely to spot Coyotes near townsites, secondary roads such as Maligne Lake Road, Tunnel Mtn, Pyramid Lake and Lake Minnewanka. They can be seen from the main highways such as the Bow Valley Expressway, Highway 16 near Jasper and the Icefields Parkway. Coyotes will "hang around" campgrounds in search of easy food but they avoid humans. As with most wildlife they are much more frequent in Jasper Park than Banff Park.

Coyotes are more adventurous, curious and are somewhat less fearful of humans than their bigger cousins, the wolves.