wolf

The wolf (Canis lupus) is a large canid native to Eurasia and North America. It is a member of the genus Canis in the family Canidae and the wild progenitor of the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Wolves are social mammals that typically live and hunt in packs, though solitary and pair-bonded individuals also occur.

Gray wolves show substantial variation in size and coat color across their range. Overall body length commonly ranges around 105 to 160 cm, with a shoulder height of 60 to 90 cm. Adult weight varies by region and subspecies, often from 25 to 50 kg, with larger individuals in some populations. Coat colors range from gray and brown to nearly black, adapted to local environments and seasons. Males are generally larger than females.

Wolves rely on cooperative hunting and pack cooperation to take down larger prey. Their diet mainly includes ungulates such as deer, elk, and moose, but it can be opportunistic, incorporating smaller mammals and carion when available. Pack structure typically centers on a breeding pair, with other adults and juveniles helping raise young. Howling and scent marking are important forms of communication used to coordinate movements and defend territories.

Wolves inhabit forests, tundra, deserts, and mountainous regions. They historically ranged widely but now occur in fragmented populations across parts of Europe, Asia, and North America, with protected statuses in many areas and ongoing conflicts with humans in some regions. The species is generally listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though several regional populations remain threatened or recovering.

Ecologically, wolves act as apex predators and can influence prey communities and ecosystem dynamics. They feature prominently in cultural symbolism and literature, reflecting both their ecological importance and the challenges of coexistence with human activities.