Outdoors Appalachia

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What is a Coywolf

A coywolf is a hybrid species that results from the interbreeding of coyotes and wolves. Coywolves are also known as eastern coyotes, and they are found in North America. These animals have a mixture of physical and behavioral characteristics from both coyotes and wolves.

Coywolves are larger than coyotes, with an average weight of 35-45 pounds. They have long legs, a narrow chest, and a bushy tail. Their fur color can range from gray to reddish-brown, and they have a black stripe on their back. Coywolves have a wolf-like howl, which is deeper than the howl of a regular coyote.

Coywolves are highly adaptable animals that can thrive in both rural and urban areas. They are opportunistic predators that feed on small mammals, birds, and even deer. Coywolves are also known for their ability to scavenge food from human settlements.

The hybridization of coyotes and wolves is believed to have started in the early 1900s when wolves were hunted to near extinction in the eastern United States. As wolf populations declined, coyotes moved into the region and began breeding with the remaining wolves. The resulting offspring were able to survive in the changing landscape and eventually became a stable population.

Coywolves have been the subject of scientific study since the 1990s, and researchers continue to learn more about these fascinating animals.

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