Wild Canines of Michigan

August 21, 2024

By: Steve Dishman, Interpreter

In August, we draw our attention to the “dog days” of summer. But did you know that Michigan has four wild canine species? Our wild dog species are all generally active at dusk/dawn (crepuscular) or night (nocturnal) and are omnivores, which means they consume meat and vegetation. Here’s a few things to know about our wild canids.

Our largest wild canid, the Gray Wolf, is not seen in our region anymore but is still found in Northern Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula mainly.  The Gray Wolf is a remarkable canine. It travels in packs, which have a hierarchy which is led by an alpha pair. Wolves work together to hunt for prey, which includes deer, black bear, and moose. Wolves travel many miles to hunt, and they communicate using howling and scent marking.

Perhaps the most misunderstood wild canid is the Coyote. Coyotes are found throughout Michigan, including in our region. Unlike wolves, they don’t hunt in large packs. Coyotes tend to hunt small mammals, especially rabbits and squirrels, but they do hunt for birds, amphibians, and reptiles also. To tell the difference between wolves, domestic dogs, and coyotes, look for tail posture. Coyotes run with their tails up or level to their body, while wolves and domestic dogs keep their tails down whilst running. Coyotes are sometimes disliked by people, but they prefer to hunt wild prey away from human activity and only approach human areas if necessary.

Michigan has two species of fox. The less common is the Gray Fox. Gray Foxes are usually found in forests and brushy areas. To tell the difference between Red Fox and Gray Fox, look for the fur color at the end of its tail. Red Foxes have white fur at the tip of their tail.  Another common name for Gray Fox is Treefox, because it is skilled at climbing trees. Most often, Gray Foxes climb trees to escape predators, but they also can hunt or just rest in trees.

Red Foxes are the most adaptive of the wild canids. They can be found even in areas with lots of human activity. Red Foxes are found not only in North American but also in Europe, Asia, even in parts of Africa. The Red Fox is usually found alone, unless raising its young, and they will hunt for small prey like mice and voles. The Red Fox will hunt even if they aren’t hungry. They are known to cache their food, by burying it in a hole. Red Foxes are known to have great memories and will almost certainly find their cached food later.

Michigan’s wild canids play an important role in the state as predators and they should be kept wild. That means not feeding them if you suspect they are around. If you are worried about the safety of your pets, simply monitor them later in the day and bring cats and dogs inside for the night. Michigan’s wild canids are fascinating creatures. Maybe you will see tracks from one on your next visit to your Huron-Clinton Metroparks!