Can a single wolf catch up with a coyote ?

[Hirundo]

The wolf is said to reach maximum speeds of around 40 mph while coyotes are said to also reach max speed of around 40 mph. We have seen a pack of wolves catch coyotes in snow, but can a single wolf catch a coyote in a plain terrain without snow ?

[Koa]

Crabtree and Sheldon have also observed that coyotes have changed the places where they spend their time, moving from open meadows to steep terrain. "Carcasses in the open don't attract coyotes much, and if they do, they're very nervous," says Crabtree. "That's because when a coyote gets chased on the flats it’s often killed. In the hills and steep terrain they feel more secure and they can get away. A lot of times a coyote will lead a wolf downhill, and as the wolf comes after it, it turns around and runs uphill. Wolves are bigger and can't stop and the coyote gets a huge lead."
And even though coyotes, at about 30 pounds, are a third the size of the average wolf, they are not pushovers. Only when a pack of wolves outnumbers coyotes do they attack; when there are more coyotes, they will attack wolves. Crabtree is not aware of any coyotes killing adult wolves, but thinks they might have killed some pups.

https://web.archive.org/web/20120316132 ... olfweb.cfm

Without snow (and let's say, on the "flats" or "open meadows"), I think it's still a possibility that a wolf could catch a coyote, but I think it would depend on the nature of the confrontation and where the confrontation takes place (e.g. as the article mentions, the hill factor) and what's at stake; there's still a chance that the coyote could get away.


I haven't found a video yet with a full-fledged chase, but you might find the above video interesting (around 44 seconds or so).

[Hirundo]

Thanks !

Interesting information. ^^

[Koa]

You're welcome.
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