101
Footprints
Potential wolf tracks are often encountered in the field but can be hard or impossible to definitively
differentiate from domestic dog tracks and, while larger, can resemble coyote prints. Overall, wolf tracks
are large, much larger than coyote tracks and larger than all but the largest breeds of dogs.
Figure 12. Comparison of wolf, domestic dog and coyote tracks. (Diagram by Western Wildlife Outreach. Track illustrations by David
Moskowitz)
Front Length Front Width Hind Length Hind Width
Wolf
11.0 cm
(8.9-12.8)
9.8 cm
(7.8-12.4)
10.1 cm
(8.6-11.6)
8.2 cm
(6.8-9.8)
Coyote
6.7 cm
(5.4-7.8)
5.3 cm
(4.2-6.3)
6.1 cm
(4.4-7.5)
4.6 cm
(3.5-5.4)
Dog Highly variable Highly variable Highly variable Highly variable
Table 2. Comparison of wolf and coyote measurements (Moskowitz 2010). Domestic dog measurements vary widely and can overlap with
both wild canid species.
