Gray Wolf, Timber Wolf
Wolves resemble German Shepherd dogs. Their fur is usually a mix of gray and black but can range from white to black. Their body is 3-5 ft long and their bushy tail, often with a black tip, is an additional 1-2 ft.
Wolves require large territories where they can find food, shelter, and protection from persecution. They used to be common across North America, but their range has been reduced to northern Canada, Alaska, the northern Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest. Mexican Wolves, a variety of Gray Wolf, have been reintroduced in Arizona and New Mexico.
Wolves live in packs with an alpha male and female. Only the alpha wolves breed, while the rest of the pack (an average of 7-8 members) help feed the young and watch over them while others hunt. Wolves are carnivores and prefer large hooved animals, such as deer, elk, and moose. They also eat smaller animals as well as animals that are already dead from other causes.
Could it be? Coyotes are a similar size and color but have a narrower face, a smaller nose, and their ears are larger in comparison to their bodies. Their voices are higher pitched. It can be difficult to distinguish between dogs and Wolves. Dogs' ears are usually larger with pointed tips. They have a broader chest and their tail often curls upwards.
Did you know? Wolves communicate through body language, scent marking, and barking or growling. Barking is a warning, while howling is used for long-distance communication to pull the pack together or warn off strangers.
See Also: Coyote, Red Fox, Swift Fox
