Animal identifier ยท Dogs and foxes
Canis lupus
Alaska, much of Canada, and recovering populations in the northern Rockies, Great Lakes, and a few western states. Very large oval tracks, often 4 to 5.5 inches, with claw marks.
What does a gray wolf look like?
Large canid, long legs, broad head. Color varies from black to cream.
What do gray wolf tracks look like?
A big canid print. Larger than all but the biggest dog. The trail stays straight over distance, which a wandering dog usually does not.
- Very large oval tracks, often 4 to 5.5 inches, with claw marks
- Front toes splay more than a coyote
- Trail is straight, stride is long
- Scat is thick, full of hair and bone chips
- Long legs and a blocky head if seen
What does gray wolf poop look like?
Thick cords with hair and crushed bone. Often on trails. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Alaska, much of Canada, and recovering populations in the northern Rockies, Great Lakes, and a few western states. Typical places: woods, field. Year-round.
What to do next
- Do not approach
- Keep dogs close in wolf country
- Report livestock loss to the local wildlife agency
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Coyote identification
- Domestic dog identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
How big are wolf tracks?
Often 4 to 5.5 inches long, oval, with claw marks and a long straight stride.
How do you tell a wolf track from a big dog?
Size overlaps. A wolf trail stays straight for a long way. A dog trail wanders, circles, and stops.
How to tell a gray wolf from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Coyote. More oval and compact than a typical dog of the same weight. Slim canid, gray-tan, pointed muzzle, tail down.
- Domestic dog. Claw marks and four toes like a coyote, but the trail behavior gives it away. Any pet dog.
Gray wolf field marks
- Very large oval tracks, often 4 to 5.5 inches, with claw marks
- Front toes splay more than a coyote
- Trail is straight, stride is long
- Scat is thick, full of hair and bone chips
Where the sign shows up
Alaska, much of Canada, and recovering populations in the northern Rockies, Great Lakes, and a few western states. Typical places: woods, field. Year-round.
A big canid print. Larger than all but the biggest dog. The trail stays straight over distance, which a wandering dog usually does not. Thick cords with hair and crushed bone. Often on trails.
Common questions
How big are wolf tracks?
Often 4 to 5.5 inches long, oval, with claw marks and a long straight stride.
How do you tell a wolf track from a big dog?
Size overlaps. A wolf trail stays straight for a long way. A dog trail wanders, circles, and stops.