Examples of animals like wolves include dogs, coyotes, jackals, and foxes.
There are many animals that share some similarities with wolves. Though they may not be as closely related to wolves as some people may think, these animals still exhibit many of the same behavioral characteristics as wolves. Some of these animals include dogs, coyotes, and jackals.
Each of these animals has its own unique adaptations and behavior, but all of them are able to hunt in packs and live relatively solitary lives when needed.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most striking similarities between wolves and other creatures in this blog post.
Examples of Animals Like Wolves
1. African Wild Dog
| Scientific Name | Lycaon pictus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa (especially Tanzania and northern Mozambique) |
The African wild dog is a canid that is native to sub-Saharan Africa. Like wolves, they are highly social animals that live in packs. These packs typically consist of 7-10 individuals, though some packs can have up to 40 members. African wild dogs are highly intelligent and have been known to use cooperative hunting techniques. They are also capable of running long distances, which helps them to chase down their prey.
2. Belize Coyote
| Scientific Name | Canis latrans |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout North and Central America |
The coyote is a canid that is native to North and Central America. Coyotes are very similar to wolves in both appearance and behavior. They are also highly social animals that live in packs, though these packs are typically smaller than wolf packs.
Coyotes are known for their high level of intelligence and their ability to adapt to different environments. They are also good at problem solving and have been known to use tools to help them in their hunt for food.
3. Bengal Fox
| Scientific Name | Vulpes bengalensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Indian subcontinent |
The Bengal fox is a canid found in the Indian subcontinent. Though it is smaller than most other foxes, it shares many similarities with wolves. For example, like wolves, Bengal foxes live in packs and hunt in groups. These foxes also have large, pointy ears and long snouts. Their fur is usually reddish-brown in color, but it can also be gray or black.
4. Black-Backed Jackal
| Scientific Name | Canis mesomelas |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
The black-backed jackal is a canid native to Africa. It is a relatively small animal, with adults only reaching about 2 feet in length from nose to tail. Despite its small size, the black-backed jackal is an accomplished hunter. It often hunts in pairs or small packs, using its keen sense of smell to track down prey. Like wolves, black-backed jackals are also proficient at scavenging.
5. Cape Fox
| Scientific Name | Vulpes chama |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern Africa |
The Cape fox is a small canid found in southern Africa. They are the only member of the Lycaon genus to not be found in Africa, instead being found in the deserts and arid plains of southwestern Africa.
The Cape fox is a small, slender creature with large ears and a pointed muzzle. They have long legs and a bushy tail. Cape foxes are reddish brown in color with a white chest and belly. They weigh between three and six pounds and measure sixteen to twenty inches long, not including their tail.
6. Corsac Fox
| Scientific Name | Vulpes corsac |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | steppes, semi-deserts, and deserts in Central Asia, ranging into Mongolia and northeastern China |
The corsac fox is a small species of fox that is found in the steppes of Central Asia. This fox is similar to wolves in several ways. For one, the corsac fox is a nocturnal creature that uses its keen sense of smell to locate prey. Additionally, this fox hunts in packs and often works together with other members of its family to take down larger prey items.
7. Darwin’s Fox
| Scientific Name | Lycalopex fulvipes |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Chile |
One of the most interesting animals that shares similarities with wolves is Darwin’s fox. This species of fox is only found on the island of Chiloe in Chile, and it is thought to be a relative of the gray fox. The Darwin’s fox is a small creature, measuring only about two feet long from nose to tail. It has a reddish brown coat and is the only species of fox that is found in Chile.
One of the most striking similarities between the Darwin’s fox and wolves is their behavior. Both species are highly territorial and will defend their homes from intruders. They are both also nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active at night. And, like wolves, Darwin’s foxes live in family groups consisting of a mated pair and their offspring. These families work together to defend their territory and to hunt for food.
8. Dingoes
| Scientific Name | Canis lupus dingo |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Australia |
The dingo is a wild dog that is found in Australia. Dingoes are similar to wolves in many ways. For example, both animals are able to hunt in packs and live relatively solitary lives when needed. Additionally, dingoes and wolves share some physical similarities, such as their long snouts and bushy tails.
One of the most notable similarities between dingoes and wolves is their hunting behavior. Both animals are able to take down large prey, such as kangaroos and deer, by working together in a pack. This type of hunting requires coordination and cooperation, which is something that dingoes and wolves are both very good at.
9. Domestic Dogs
| Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
Though they are the most closely related to wolves, dogs have many differences from their wild cousins. For example, while wolves form close bonds with other members of their pack, dogs typically see their owner as the alpha figure and will behave accordingly. Additionally, dogs have been bred for different purposes and as a result come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
However, dogs still retain many wolf-like characteristics. For instance, they are highly intelligent and trainable animals that live in hierarchical packs. They communicate with one another using a variety of vocalizations and body language, and they are able to hunt effectively in groups.
10. Durango Coyote
| Scientific Name | Canis latrans |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Durango, Chihuahua, Sonora, and Sinaloa |
The coyote is a species of canine native to North America. Coyotes are closely related to dogs and jackals, and they exhibit many of the same behaviors as those two species. Coyotes are highly intelligent animals, and they are known for their cunning behavior. Like wolves, coyotes live in packs and hunt in groups. They also have a strong sense of smell, and they are adept at tracking their prey.
11. Ethiopian Fox
| Scientific Name | Canis simensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southeastern Ethiopia |
The Ethiopian fox is a canid that is found in the highlands of Ethiopia. It is the only member of its genus, and it is most closely related to wolves and coyotes. The Ethiopian fox shares many physical similarities with wolves, including its bushy tail, long legs, and pointed ears. Ethiopian foxes are also known to hunt in packs, just like wolves.
12. Golden Jackal
| Scientific Name | Canis aureus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North and East Africa, Southeastern Europe, and South Asia to Burma |
The golden jackal is a canid that is native to Southeast Europe, Southwest Asia, and Africa. Though its coat may be a different color depending on the subspecies, the golden jackal typically has a light-golden fur with black tips. It shares many physical similarities with wolves, including its slim build and long legs.
Golden jackals are known to be opportunistic eaters, and will hunt small animals as well as scavenge for food. They are also proficient swimmers and can often be seen near water sources.
13. Gray Fox
| Scientific Name | Urocyon cinereoargenteus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern Canada into most of the United States and into Mexico, Central America and parts of South America |
The gray fox is a canid that is native to North America. Though it is not as closely related to wolves as the coyote, it still shares some similarities with these animals. For instance, gray foxes are able to climb trees, which is something that very few other canids can do. Additionally, they are relatively small compared to other canids, and they have a reddish-gray coat of fur.
14. Hoary Fox
| Scientific Name | Lycalopex vetulus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | south-central Brazil |
The Hoary Fox is a small species of fox found in Central and South America. These foxes are very similar to wolves in both appearance and behavior. Hoary foxes are the only species of fox that typically hunt in packs. They live in dens and use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with one another. Like wolves, hoary foxes are also very territorial and will defend their territory from other foxes and animals.
15. Honduras Coyote
| Scientific Name | Canis hondurensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Honduras |
The Honduras coyote is a subspecies of the common coyote that is found in Central America. This coyote is smaller than its North American counterpart, but it shares many of the same behavioral characteristics. Like wolves, Honduras coyotes live in packs and hunt in groups. They also exhibit similar levels of intelligence, which allows them to learn new hunting techniques and adapt to their environment.
16. Kit Fox
| Scientific Name | Vulpes macrotis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the southwestern part of the United States and northern and central Mexico |
The kit fox is a small canid that is found in the southwestern United States. Though they are not closely related to wolves, they do share some similarities with them. For one, kit foxes are both nocturnal and diurnal hunters.
This means that they are active at both night and day, unlike most other canids which are only active during the day. They also have a similar social structure to wolves, living in small family groups consisting of a mated pair and their offspring.
One of the most striking similarities between kit foxes and wolves is their hunting behavior. Like wolves, kit foxes will hunt in packs in order to take down larger prey.
17. Mexican Coyote
| Scientific Name | Canis latrans |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout North America from eastern Alaska to New England and south into Mexico and Panama |
The Mexican coyote is a member of the Canidae family, which includes wolves, dogs, and foxes. Coyotes are smaller than wolves, but they share many of the same behavioral characteristics. For example, coyotes live in packs and hunt in groups. They also howl to communicate with other members of their pack.
18. Pampas Fox
| Scientific Name | Lycalopex gymnocercus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the Southern Cone of South America, occupying chiefly the Chaco, Argentine Monte, Argentine Espinal and Pampas eco-regions |
The Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) is a canid native to the Pampas of central South America. This fox shares many physical similarities with the coyote, including its Pointed ears and long snout. The Pampas fox also has a coat of reddish-brown fur, which helps it to blend in with the grasslands where it lives.
One of the most notable similarities between the Pampas fox and the wolf is its hunting behavior. Like wolves, Pampas foxes hunt in packs in order to take down their prey. These foxes are also known to eat carrion, which is another trait they share.
19. Red Fox
| Scientific Name | Vulpes vulpes |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout the continental United States from Alaska to Florida |
The red fox is a canid that is most closely related to the gray wolf. It ranges in size from about five to fifteen pounds and has a reddish coat with white underparts. The red fox is found in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is a highly adaptable creature that can live in a variety of habitats including forests, grasslands, and deserts. The red fox is an omnivore that feeds on a variety of small animals including rodents, rabbits, and birds.
20. Salvador Coyote
| Scientific Name | clepticus. Elliot |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Mexico and into Central America |
The Salvador coyote is a canid native to North America. Coyotes exhibit many of the same behavioral characteristics as wolves. For example, coyotes are highly intelligent and adaptable, and they are able to live in a variety of habitats. Additionally, coyotes are known for their scavenging habits and their ability to hunt in packs.
21. San Pedro Martir Coyote
| Scientific Name | Canis latrans |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Southern California, down into Baja California |
The San Pedro Martir coyote is a subspecies of the coyote that is found in the Sierra Nevada of northeastern Mexico. Like other coyotes, this animal is a proficient hunter that uses its keen sense of smell to track down prey.
One of the most striking similarities between the San Pedro Martir coyote and wolves is their hunting behavior. These coyotes typically hunt in packs of two to five animals, using their superior numbers to wear down and kill their prey. Like wolves, they will also travel long distances in search of food, covering up to 30 miles in a single day.
22. Side-Striped Jackal
| Scientific Name | Canis adustus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | tropical Africa |
The side-striped jackal is a canid that is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Though they are not as closely related to wolves as other members of the Canidae family, they do share some similarities with them.
For one, they are both pack animals that live and hunt in groups. They are also both very territorial, marking their territory with urine and feces. Another similarity between these two animals is that they are both very adaptable to different environments.
23. South-Eastern Coyote
| Scientific Name | Canis latrans var |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada |
The South-Eastern Coyote is a coyote subspecies that is found in the southeastern United States. This coyote is larger than most other coyotes, with adults weighing up to 35 pounds. They are also distinguished by their light gray coloration and longer snouts.
Like wolves, South-Eastern Coyotes live in packs and hunt in groups. They also make use of dens, though these are typically abandoned burrows rather than the purpose-built dens that wolves use. South-Eastern Coyotes will typically only form pairs or family groups, rather than the large packs that wolves live in.
24. Swift Fox
| Scientific Name | Vulpes velox |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | from Alberta to Texas and from Minnesota and Iowa to New Mexico and Montana |
The Swift Fox is a small canid that is found in the Great Plains of North America. These foxes are very similar to wolves in their appearance, with thin bodies and long legs. They are also highly social animals, living in packs of up to 12 individuals. Swift foxes hunt together in packs, using their speed and agility to take down prey.
25. Tibetan Fox
| Scientific Name | Vulpes ferrilata |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Tibetan Plateau |
The Tibetan fox is a species of canidnative to the Tibetan Plateau. Like the wolf, it is an apex predator and lives in packs. However, unlike the wolf, the Tibetan fox preys mostly on small mammals such as rodents and hares.
Conclusion
Though they are not as closely related to wolves as other canids, dogs still share many similarities with their wild cousins. Dogs live in packs and have a strict social hierarchy, just like wolves. They are also very versatile hunters that use their keen sense of smell to track down prey.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.