coydogs aren't as common as many think.Looks like a yote to me.

So why aren't coydogs more common in rural areas? Actually, the issue is not as puzzling as it first appears. The reason there is little evidence of coyotes mating with dogs in the wild is simply because social habits and statistics makes the opportunity and probability of mating quite low indeed.



The coyote social structure is somewhat different from the domestic canine, and, quite frankly, coyotes would rather eat a dog than befriend one. Coyotes also have very different breeding cycles and mating behaviors. It is believed the male coyote sperm count remains low or dormant for most of the year and only picks up for about 60 days in the spring in conjunction with the female coyotes once a year heat cycle. Coyote males usually stick with one female through the breeding season as well, even assisting in feeding and raising the puppies. Some researchers believe they mate for life. Others believe only the alpha male gets to breed. So you see, and this is just my individual theory, it's simply a numbers game. For a coyote and a dog to mate, the choice of female coyotes would have to be so low that the male would not have a "girlfriend" to start with, then, he would have to meet a female dog (too large to eat), who just happened to be in heat within the same two month period that he was producing sperm. The above scenario is not impossible, just a rarity, statistically speaking

I honestly don't know what that animal is, so I won't venture a guess. I just wanted to post in reply to game4lunch because I love the way he backed up his responce. Instead of just stating what he thought, he gave clear and concise details to back up his point giving his stance a better platform. WELL DONE!!!

I vote Mt. lion or bobcat..... I'd say coyote for sure, I have seen black ones here in NC. Too small for wolf. Could be some sort of stray or cross-breed too. Who knows?

THe original post didn't say the pic was from NJ did it? Also, as far as comparing sizes within the picture, you can't necessarily do that due to the unknown perspective. The deer head is in the fore-ground and may appear up to 50% larger than an item behind it of similar size.

Note the size of the animals rump compared to it's shoulder. Pretty large rump for a coyote, evan an eastern.

Here's a photo for comparison:

POint taken Trembow, I just got a kick out of the posters that posted after it was noted that it was in south jersey... the coyotes are spreading spreading pretty good around here so I still think thats what it is...

Actually, if you do a google for "black coyote" images, there are quite a few and they do look a lot like those images. I have seen black wolves, mostly on TV, but I had never seen a black coyote before.

coyote.......

Looks to be a wolf if you aske me, maybe a young timber wolf.

That is no coyote. May be some kind of mixed breed, but pure coyote, I don't think so.