The coyote, Canis laterans, is a carnivorous mammal belonging to the dog family, Canid, order Carnivora.
Coyotes are smaller than grey wolves, but overlap in size with the red wolf and the domestic dog.
The nose pad is narrower and the ears are longer than those of the wolf. Adult males range in weight from 18 lbs to 44 lbs. and females from 15 lbs. Color varies, but coyotes are usually grey. Coyotes communicate by howling. Thus coyotes have long and slender legs, their bodies are muscular and deep chested, and their claws are strong, blunt, and non retractile.