The Mysterious Black Coyote and Black Wolf: Why These Elusive Animals Deserve Our Protection

If you’ve ever caught a glimpse of a black coyote or a black wolf in the wild, consider yourself lucky. These rare animals—often mistaken for black dogs—are not separate species but are coyotes (Canis latrans) and wolves (Canis lupus) with a genetic mutation that gives them their striking dark coats.

While their appearance may feel mysterious, black coyotes and black wolves are just two examples of how diverse and adaptive wildlife can be. However, like many wild animals, they’re facing threats—many of them caused by us.

What Is a Black Coyote? What About a Black Wolf?

Black coyotes—also known as melanistic coyotes—get their color from a mutation in a gene called CBD103, which is also found in domestic dogs. Scientists believe this mutation may have originated when coyotes interbred with domestic dogs and red wolves hundreds of years ago, introducing the melanism gene into coyote populations.

Similarly, black wolves are gray wolves with the same CBD103 mutation. Genetic studies have shown that black wolves likely inherited this trait from domestic dogs thousands of years ago, making it a lasting example of how human influence can shape wildlife genetics.

Black coyotes have larger home ranges than their lighter counterparts and are mostly found in the eastern parts of the United States, particularly the Southeast. Gloger’s Rule states that darker animals are found in warmer, more humid regions, which holds true for black coyotes—and may help explain the increased sightings in those areas. Their dark fur has been linked to higher survival rates in forested landscapes, possibly because it helps them blend in better.

While black wolves have similar home range sizes as gray wolves, they do have some traits that help them survive better! About half the wolves in Yellowstone National Park are dark black in color, and this discovery inspired studies that explored the link between coat color, reproduction, survival and behavior. These studies found that black wolves have a better chance at surviving distemper than other wolves (suggesting the genes that cause melanistic traits have an additional role in pathogen defense), while gray wolves tend to be more aggressive in territorial conflicts and have a higher reproduction success.

Coyotes and Wolves: Nature’s Unsung Heroes

All coyotes, no matter their fur color, help control rodent populations, clean up carrion, and even limit deer overpopulation in some areas. They're an essential part of the food chain, and their presence helps keep ecosystems balanced.

Wolves—black or gray—play a similarly crucial role. As apex predators, they help regulate populations of animals such as deer and elk, preventing overgrazing and supporting plant regrowth. In areas where wolves have returned, ecosystems have actually begun to heal, a phenomenon known as a trophic cascade.

Yet despite their ecological importance, both coyotes and wolves are frequently misunderstood, vilified, and even targeted by lethal wildlife control programs.

In many parts of the United States, coyotes can be killed without limit. In some states, killing contests offer cash prizes for the most coyotes killed—a cruel and outdated practice that treats wildlife as nothing more than targets. Because black coyotes and black wolves stand out more than their lighter-colored counterparts, they may be even more vulnerable to being hunted, while their dark fur makes them more susceptible to being hit by cars at night.

We Still Don’t Know Much—And That’s a Problem

Despite their growing visibility, there’s still a lot we don’t know about black coyotes and black wolves. How common are they? Do their darker coats affect their behavior or interactions with other animals? Are they more vulnerable to human conflict?

Right now, we simply don’t have enough answers.

That’s why we need more ethical, non-invasive research—not laboratory testing or harmful experiments, but humane studies that observe these animals in the wild, where they belong (not in zoos). By using tools like remote camera traps, DNA analysis from scat samples, and citizen science reporting, researchers can learn more about black coyotes and black wolves without causing them stress or harm.

Respectful wildlife research helps us understand how to better protect species like the black coyote and black wolf while upholding the dignity of individual animals.

Living with Coyotes and Wolves—Respectfully

The fear surrounding coyotes and wolves often stems from myths and misinformation. No, they’re not lurking in the shadows waiting to attack people or companion animals. In fact, both species are generally shy and avoid human contact. Conflicts usually arise when we feed them—either directly or indirectly—or encroach on their habitat with development.

The best way to coexist with coyotes and wolves is by taking a few simple steps:

• Secure your trash and don’t leave dog/cat food outside.
• Keep companion animals indoors or supervise them while outside.
• Don’t feed wildlife. It causes them to lose their natural fear of humans.
• Speak up against wildlife killing contests and inhumane predator control programs.

Protecting All Wild Animals—No Matter What They Look Like

Black coyotes and black wolves are beautiful reminders that nature doesn’t fit into a neat little box. Animals come in all colors, shapes, and sizes, and they all deserve respect and protection.

At World Animal Protection, we believe every wild animal has a right to a life free from cruelty, exploitation, and suffering—whether they’re an endangered species or a commonly misunderstood one like the coyote or wolf.

Instead of fearing what we don’t understand, let’s celebrate the wild and work toward coexistence. The black coyote and black wolf aren’t bad omens or threats—they’re symbols of resilience, adaptability, and the untamed beauty that still exists in a world that’s becoming increasingly urban.

Want to help protect coyotes and wolves? Join World Animal Protection’s FREE online community, Animal Champions, and take action to protect wild animals!