Predators & Varmints

How to tell them apart

One identification cue for each species, from its profile. Open a profile for the full description - and check your state's regulations, which set separate limits for some look-alike species.

Coyote

This low tail carriage is one of the quickest ways to distinguish a coyote from a wolf or a domestic dog, both of which carry their tails higher.

Bobcat

The bobcat is smaller than the Canada lynx, which has much larger feet, longer ear tufts, a fully black tail tip, and a grayer coat; in regions where the two overlap, hunters must learn to distinguish them carefully, as the lynx is protected in many areas.

Raccoon

There is little chance of confusing a raccoon with another species - the mask and ringed tail are diagnostic.

Red Fox

The red fox is a slender, dog-like animal weighing roughly eight to fifteen pounds, appearing larger because of its thick fur.

Gray Fox

The gray fox is a compact, stocky little canine weighing 7 to 13 pounds, shorter-legged and heavier-built than the red fox.

Virginia Opossum

The Virginia opossum is a cat-sized marsupial, typically 4-14 pounds and 24-40 inches long including the tail.

Gray Wolf

Wolves are far larger than coyotes, standing tall on long legs with a broad head, blocky muzzle and coats ranging from gray to black to near-white.

American Badger

Badgers are broad, flat and grizzled gray with a distinctive white stripe running from the nose over the head, short legs and long front claws built for digging.

Prairie Dog

Prairie dogs are stout, sandy-brown ground squirrels with short legs, a short black-tipped tail, and a habit of sitting bolt upright at the burrow mouth.

Arctic Fox

Arctic foxes are small and compact with short ears and legs, a rounded muzzle, and a thick coat that is pure white in winter (or blue-gray in the 'blue' morph) and brown-gray in summer.