Ever wondered just how big a coyote can get? You’re definitely not alone there.
Most coyotes tip the scales at around 40 pounds. Every so often, though, one shows up that’s so big, hunters and wildlife folks can’t help but talk about it.
The largest coyote anyone has ever officially recorded weighed about 60 pounds. Some folks thought they’d found even bigger ones, but those animals turned out to be wolves, not coyotes.
Seeing a 60-pound coyote is honestly a shock. That’s nearly twice the size of what you’d expect in the wild.
Stories about these massive coyotes really make you look at these clever animals in a new light.
Curious about where people have found these huge coyotes? Or how they stack up against other records? Stick around.
You might be surprised by what actually counts as the biggest coyote ever killed. If you want the details on some of the most jaw-dropping coyote encounters, here’s a record-breaking coyote story.
Record for the Largest Coyote Ever Killed
You might not realize just how big some coyotes can get. The biggest ones on record have sparked a lot of debate and curiosity.
People love to argue about the details—where and when these beasts turned up, and how much they really weighed.
Verified Size and Weight Records
The largest coyote anyone has officially confirmed came in at 34 pounds. Someone caught it near Afton, Wyoming, back in 1937.
That coyote measured about 4 feet 11 inches from nose to tail.
More recent reports mention coyotes weighing 60 to 82 pounds. Some of these stories haven’t been fully verified, though.
For example, someone claimed an 82-pound coyote set the record, but nobody has official proof.
Most big coyotes weigh somewhere between 40 and 60 pounds. The truly massive ones are still extremely rare.
Where and When the Largest Coyote Was Killed
People often point to the Afton, Wyoming coyote from 1937 as the biggest ever. Wyoming’s mix of landscape and prey seems to support larger coyotes.
Some states, like Missouri and Michigan, have reported coyotes over 60 pounds. Sometimes, folks mistake them for wolves because they’re just that big.
In the last century, hunters in Kentucky and Alabama have also run into some unusually large coyotes—usually in the 60 to 70-pound range.
Contesting Reports and Notable Claims
You hear plenty of stories about giant coyotes, even ones weighing more than 80 pounds. Turns out, some of those were actually wolves or hybrids.
Take that 104-pound “coyote” shot in Missouri. DNA tests later showed it wasn’t a coyote or even a hybrid.
Hunting stories mix up big coyotes and gray wolves pretty often. Genetic tests have cleared up a few of those mix-ups.
All this back-and-forth just shows you need real proof before believing every record-sized coyote story.
Some hunters still claim to have seen or shot coyotes around 60 to 70 pounds in places like Kentucky and Alabama. None of these have been officially crowned as record holders.
If you want to read more about that wild 104-pound coyote story, here’s the Wildlife News link.
Factors Influencing Coyote Size
A coyote’s size depends on a bunch of things. Where it lives, what it eats, and even if it’s mixed with other canines can all play a part.
These factors help explain why some coyotes just seem to tower over the rest.
Regional Differences in Coyote Size
Location changes a coyote’s size a lot. Coyotes out west usually grow bigger than their eastern cousins.
Food sources and climate make a real difference. Coyotes in colder places often have thicker fur, but that doesn’t always mean they’re bigger.
Some research says cold weather doesn’t always equal bigger coyotes. Where prey is larger, though, coyotes seem to get bigger so they can hunt it.
You might notice that coyotes in wide open plains tend to be larger than those in forests. Open space means more prey, which helps them grow.
Diet and Habitat Impact
What a coyote eats has a huge effect on its size. Coyotes that hunt bigger animals like deer or elk usually bulk up more.
If they’re stuck eating smaller stuff—rabbits, rodents, you name it—they usually don’t get as big.
Coyotes living in areas packed with food grow stronger and larger. Even urban areas with easy meals can lead to bigger coyotes.
In places where food is scarce, coyotes stay small just to survive.
Coyotes that have a varied diet—plants, animals, whatever they can find—tend to grow better than those stuck with limited options.
Crossbreeding and Unusually Large Coyotes
Sometimes coyotes mate with wolves or dogs. When this happens, the result can be a much bigger animal than you’d expect.
These hybrids often look bulkier and stronger than your average coyote. It’s not super common, but when people spot these large hybrids, they might start to wonder how big coyotes really get.
Wild coyotes usually tip the scales somewhere between 20 and 45 pounds. But hybrids? They can weigh quite a bit more.
Every now and then, you’ll hear someone mention a coyote that weighed over 70 pounds. Most of the time, those cases involve crossbreeding or some odd growth spurt. largest coyote ever killed
