Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: Canis Lupus
Conservation Status
Gray wolves are the largest living members of the Canidae family. Depending on the subspecies, they can grow just under 3 feet at the shoulder, weigh up to 90 pounds, and measure 5 feet long with males being larger than females. Wolves have longer legs to move quickly and larger paws to keep them from falling in the snow if they live in colder weather.
The gray wolf is widespread across Asia, Europe, and North America. Because of its wide distribution, it lives in many different habitats.
The gray wolf’s many subspecies are so diverse they inhabit environments from boreal and deciduous forests to deserts and the arctic tundra!
Gray wolves are carnivores and opportunistic feeders. They hunt in packs, wearing down their prey by having individual pack members trade out to take breaks and rest so there’s always some wolves pursuing.
Traditional prey are various deer, elk, bison, and pronghorn. If food is scarce, gray wolves will hunt and kill livestock; however, since they fear humans, this is a last resort.
Mating season for gray wolves is in late winter, when usually only the dominant pair can mate. After 3 months of pregnancy, the female will find a den and give birth to 1-7 puppies depending on the species. The puppies nurse for 8 weeks before switching to pre-chewed food, always staying in the den. The pack will eventually find an open field for the pups to accompany them on hunts and ultimately leave the pack after a couple years.
Gray wolves have a very dense winter coat that consists mainly of coarse guard hairs and short undercoat. Their winter coat is so impressive they can rest comfortably in -40°F by tucking their muzzle between their legs and covering its face with its tail.
In warmer climates, the gray wolves have coarser, but scarcer, fur. Wolves come in a variety of colors depending on their guard hairs including white, brown, black, gray, rusty, and a yellowish hue.
