lobo

Lobo is the Spanish word for wolf, most commonly referring to the gray wolf, Canis lupus. The gray wolf is a large canid native to Eurasia and North America; the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is widely regarded as descended from wolves, with some classifications treating the dog as a subspecies of C. lupus.

Gray wolves are among the largest wild canids. They have variable coat colors from gray to brown or black, and a bushy tail. They are highly social, living in packs typically led by an alpha pair; pack size and territory vary with prey and habitat.

Ecology and behavior: Wolves are carnivorous predators that hunt large ungulates such as deer, elk, and moose, but will take smaller prey or carrion when necessary. They communicate through howls, scent marking, and body language, and they coordinate hunts through group cooperation.

Reproduction: Breeding usually occurs once a year in late winter. Gestation lasts about 63 days, with litters of roughly 4–6 pups. Pups are cared for by the whole pack and begin learning hunting skills as they grow.

Distribution and conservation: Historically widespread across Europe, Asia, and North America, gray wolves today occur in fragmented populations in many regions. The IUCN classifies Canis lupus as Least Concern globally, though regional populations are endangered or recovering under protection and conflict-reduction programs. Key threats include habitat loss, prey depletion, and human-wildlife conflict.

In culture and language: In Spanish-speaking cultures, lobo appears in folklore and symbolism related to wilderness and predation. Lobezno means wolf cub, and wolves feature prominently in literature, art, and folklore around the world.