Coyote-Wolf Hybrid, Called A Coywolf, Spotted In Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS -- It's called a coywolf, and according to Indiana Wildlife Management, it's been spotted in southwest Indianapolis, WXYZ reports. According to smithsonian.com, a coywolf (below) is a coyote-wolf hybrid that's been spotted in much of the eastern U.S. However, this hybrid is nearly 55 pounds heavier than a coyote, and has a larger jaw, longer legs, bushier tail and smaller ears.

WXYZ reports Scott Harter with Indiana Wildlife Management says a southwest Indy resident saw a coywolf Tuesday night in the Heartland Crossing area where Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties come together.

Scott Harter with Indiana Wildlife Management says a resident saw a coywolf Tuesday night in the Heartland Crossing area where Marion, Hendricks and Morgan counties come together.

And of course with almost any out-of-the-norm large animal sighting comes fear and rumors, which WXYZ said happened with this, as this news sparked a rumor that a child had been attacked, which Harter said isn't true.

WXYZ reports Harter says these hybrid animals enter populated areas to search or food and like to get into garbage containers.

According to Wildlife Management, if you see a coywolf, don't run away, but instead keep eye contact and back away slowly.

WXYZ says Indiana Wildlife Management has been called in to track and trap the coywolfs in Heartland Crossing.

More details: WXYZ