Wolves are members of the dog family. They are known for their intelligence and courage. Wolves are also noted for traveling very long distances. North American Indians named their most powerful warriors after wolves.
There are two species, or types, of wolf. The best known is the gray wolf. It lives in North America, Europe, and Asia. The Ethiopian wolf was once considered a jackal. Many people now believe it is a wolf. It lives in Ethiopia.
The red wolf was once thought to be a separate species. Now scientists think it is a cross between a gray wolf and a coyote. The red wolf lived throughout the southeastern United States. Now most red wolves live in captivity. Some can still be found in the wild in North Carolina.
The gray, or timber, wolf has long legs and large feet. The males are larger than the females. A male gray wolf usually weighs about 100 pounds (45 kilograms). Including the tail, it may be about 6.5 feet (2 meters) long. The gray wolf’s fur is usually gray. It may also be brown, red, white, or black. The legs and belly are yellowish white.
The red wolf weighs 44–82 pounds (20–37 kilograms). Its coat is reddish brown or sandy colored. The Ethiopian wolf also has reddish brown fur. A male Ethiopian wolf only weighs about 35 pounds (16 kilograms).
Wolves are social animals. They live in groups called packs. A wolf pack usually has a pair of adult wolves and their offspring. The male and female leaders are known as the alpha pair. Wolves normally hunt at night in groups. They eat deer, moose, squirrels, and mice.
All species of wolf are in danger of dying out. This is partly because their habitats are being destroyed. People also kill wolves because the wolves attack cattle. Today there are many programs to protect wolves.
