Organism · Placental mammals
gray wolf
Present
Living species illustration
Canis lupus
Overview
The gray wolf is a wild member of the dog family with long legs and large feet. Its narrow body evokes journeys over long distances. Its scientific name is Canis lupus.[1][2]
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Key facts
A wolf pack is more than simply several animals gathered together. The Montana guide describes a breeding pair, their offspring, and other adults living together. It can be viewed as a family story.[2]
Time and place
This account concerns wolves living today. In Montana, USA, packs are known mainly in the west. Current observation areas and the distribution of ancient wolves should be considered as separate maps.[2]
The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.
Size, form and skeleton
Long legs and large feet lie beneath a narrow trunk. The Montana guide includes light gray, dark gray, and black coats. They are not all the same gray.[2]
A university animal guide gives a shoulder height of approximately 60–90 cm. Size varies with region and sex.[3]
The same guide gives male body mass as approximately 30–80 kg.[3]
The same guide gives female body mass as approximately 23–55 kg.[3]
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Habitat and reproduction
Montana wolf packs use territories and interact spatially with other packs. Pups are born in early spring. Movement and reproduction connect within the family’s space.[2]
Fossil discovery
Biologists in Montana describe surveys identifying tracks and looking for signs of pups at dens. Information from collars also provides clues to movement. Living animals too can be encountered by reading their traces.[2]
References
Research questions
What might wolves seek on long journeys? The Montana guide describes dispersal in search of mates or territories. Consider the connection between an individual and packs ranging across broad areas.[2]
Observation
Move your gaze from the narrow trunk to the long legs and large feet. Examine coat-color differences together with a body suited to travel.[2]
Related organisms
Aenocyon dirusPlacental mammalsSource time context (not species duration) · ≈ 2.58–0.0117 MaDifferent bodies among canids
Explore the bodies and life settings of the gray wolf and the dire wolf together. Gray wolf: The gray wolf is a wild member of the dog family with long legs and large feet. Its narrow body evokes journeys over long distances. Dire wolf: Aenocyon dirus, the dire wolf, is an ice-age mammal known for a wolf-like body, relatively large teeth, and short limbs. It is introduced through the fossil record of La Brea.