Black Coyote

[jimmyraythomason]

I trapped one back in the mid '80s that was very black with white guard hairs giving it the color of a silver fox. I haven't seen one since(though I stopped trapping shortly after that).

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Most folks would call you delusional if you told them you saw a black Fox Squirrel, but they are not a novelty at all around here.

Yep,I've seen one of those too but only one. Even red fox squirrels are not common in my neck of the woods.

 

[Venado]

There is a black phase of the red wolf, which has been known to interbreed with coyotes. The cross would be larger than a coyote, and have disperportionately long legs and ears. Most of the reports of black coyotes seem to be coming from areas where the red wolf (canis rufus), use to live.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I have hunted coyotes in Nebraska for about 25 years and have only seen one black coyote. The one he shot was about 55 pounds as well, it is certainly possible you may have shot a hybrid, crossing breeds will result in hybrid vigor--increased growth rates.