Is this a fox or a cyote ?

Question

This has been sneaking into my yard. Is it a foz or a cyote. It is not a dog. it is never out during the doay & only comes out after 11;00 pm

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n268/fuzzynuts_2006/Foxinmyyard.jpg

Answer 1

From what you can see in the video it could be either, but I would disagree with the others and lean more towards it being a fox.

First, the head shape seems to be more that of a fox than of a coyote.  The ears are also more fox-like, but with it being nervous and having the ears angled back, it makes it harder to tell.  Also, the leg length in relationship to the body makes me think it is more likely to be a fox (fox generally have a "longer" look because their legs are not as long in comparison to the body; whereas coyotes tend to look a little more boxy (longer legs in comparison to the body size.)  Also, the size (in comparison to the mouse and the daddy long-legs you also captured in your video) makes me think more of a fox than a coyote (although maybe you have HUGE daddy long-legs and big mice!!)  Coyotes are generally bigger than foxes, and it is difficult to gain a perspective on the true size of the animal in a video.  Since you've seen it firsthand, you will be able to better decide based on size (coyotes average the size of a collie, foxes are smaller - with the red fox being about the size of a large beagle to the arctic fox which is about half the size of a domestic cat.)   The bushiness of the tail means nothing - both coyotes and foxes usually have very bushy tails, but healthy young individuals and juveniles, healthy animals who are in the process of shedding, or those who are malnourished or diseased (like with heartworm) may have skinny tails.

Mostly, though, I believe it is more likely to be a fox because of its behavior.  When being cautious or running, fox (especially red fox) tend to hold their tail straight out, while coyotes tend to tuck the tails close to the body or let them just fall downwards.

I think most likely, what you have is a red fox (not all red foxes are red - they can be red, blond, gray, black, brown, or a mix, but all have a white-tipped tail - it is more exaggerated in some than in others).

Again, since you are the one who's seen it in person, you're the only one who will be able to tell for sure.   There are urban coyotes, but you usually see more fox in an urban setting (especially near graveyards and golf courses) than coyotes.  

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I have a grey fox that comes into my yard every night, but it does not look like what your pic is of.  My fox has a bushy tail and short legs.  The nose is kinda pointy also.  Hope this helps

Answer 3

wow, I don't really know.  i thought it almost looked like a mountain lion.  A fox usually has a really bushy tail, a coyote's is more bushy than that, too.  It's hard to tell from the pic it's size.  I would definitely call animal control, though.  If you aren't' afraid of it, you could set a live trap and take it out to the woods yourself, but it may come back and I don't know what the laws are on that.  Best to have animal control take care of it.

Answer 4

This is definitely a fox, NOT a coyote. First, the facial features - the squareness of the face, the comparatively short ears and the black nose stripe and the thin muzzle all mark this as fox. Additionally, the ratio of leg to body I think also points to this being a fox. The size is exaggerated because of the angle of the camera being low to the ground - comparing it to the height of the lattice the animal is not very large.

Answer 5

It is either a coyote or a stray dog. It is also possible that it is a grey fox with a bad case of mange. It'ss probably a coyote.

Answer 6

Foxes are smaller. It's either a coyote or a wild dog.

Answer 7

Looks like a coyote to me.

A grey fox or a red fox is much smaller.

Remember it is a wild animal.

Answer 8

Looks like a coyote to me.  The foxes I have seen all have big bushy tails.

Take heed to what another person said - this is a wild animal.  DON"T try to approach it, especially if it seems sick.  Let the authorities handle it if it's a problem.

And be sure your pets are in at night.  A coyote will happily kill a house pet for food.  Notify your neighbors, too.

Answer 9

It could be a cyote.

The fox has a bushier tail and is more fluffy than a cyote.

Not to mention a little smaller.

Answer 10

I have seen many coyotes and foxes in rural NE, and that is a coyote.

Answer 11

Looks more like a fox...it is NOT a coyote..I see coyotes on a daily basis and have seen hundreds while out working ..does not look like a coyote.  The tail should be bushy but I suppose this fox could have lost it's fur.  The markings on the face and the shape of the face say fox to me.  It does seem to have shorter hair than most foxes I have seen...but from the looks of the tail..I would say this fox might have a case of mange.

Answer 12

it kind of looks like a cyote, but at the same time it kinda looks like a fox. its face looks like a fox, but the tail would be poofy if it was a fox. but i would say its a cyote.

Answer 13

by my judgement I'd say a coyote and I used to live in an area where coyotes were't unusual. but heres a link to a fox and coyote so you can see for your self.

coyote-http://tipt3.utoledo.edu/starters/coyote...

fox-http://islandfox.org/uploaded_images/SRI...

Answer 14

It is a dog.

Answer 15

It is definitely a coyote.