Gray wolf Facts

About the gray wolf

Compared with other Canis species, wolves have less pointed ears and muzzles, a longer tail and a shorter torso. Fur is usually a mottled blend of white, brown, gray and black, though Arctic wolves can be nearly all white. More than thirty subspecies are recognized, including the dog and the dingo, and wolves can produce fertile hybrids with coyotes and golden jackals.

Wolves are built for cooperative hunting of big prey and use howling, alone or as a group, to communicate. A pack is a nuclear family: a mated pair plus their offspring, who may leave once mature. As apex predators, wolves eat large wild hooved mammals, smaller animals, livestock, garbage and carrion. Single wolves and pairs often hunt more successfully than large packs, and territory fights are a major cause of death.

Did you know?

• The wild gray wolf population is estimated at 200,000 to 250,000 animals.
• Rabies is one of the diseases that can infect wolves.
• The gray wolf's scientific name is Canis lupus.