Dog family

There are three species in the dog family in Kootenay National Park. Wolves and coyotes are social animals that live and hunt in small groups. Hunting in groups allows them to take down larger prey than they would be able to prey on alone. Foxes are not social hunters like the other dogs and eat small mammals and birds.

Wolf | Coyote | Red Fox

Wolf

Wolves can weigh up to 60 pounds and stand a meter high at the shoulder. They could almost be mistaken for large German shepherds, but are lankier with longer legs and larger feet. Most wolves in Kootenay National Park are a light tri-colour. Despite their fierce reputation, wolves very rarely attack people. They do hunt nearly everything else though - deer, elk, moose, sheep, beaver, hares and mice!

Coyote

The coyote is a medium-sized grayish dog with a slender muzzle, large pointed ears and a bushy tail. Coyotes are often seen patrolling roadsides in search of road kill and small mammals.

Red Fox

Red Foxes are often red but can also be golden, coppery, grey or brownish, even silver! They have black-tipped ears, black stockings, and a large white-tipped bushy tail. Mainly active at dusk and dawn, Red Foxes like the natural meadows and grasslands found in the southern end of Kootenay. Although they are rarely seen or heard, keep your ears open for a sharp bark, used when they are startled and to warn other foxes.