The gray wolf or grey wolf, often known simply as the wolf, is the largest wild member of the Canidae family. Though once abundant over much of Eurasia and North America, the gray wolf inhabits a reduced portion of its former range due to widespread destruction of its territory, human encroachment, and the resulting human-wolf encounters that sparked broad extirpation. Even so, the gray wolf is regarded as being of least concern for extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, when the entire gray wolf population is considered as a whole. Today, wolves are protected in some areas, hunted for sport in others, or may be subject to extermination as perceived threats to livestock and pets.
Ten Facts about Gray Wolf
- The height of gray wolf ranges between 0.6 to 0.9 meters and an adult gray wolf weighs between 32 and 68 kilograms.
- The length of gray wolf varies from 4.5 feet to 6.5 feet, as measured from the nose to the tip of its tail.
- A female gray wolf weighs about 20% less than a male and is shorter in height too.
- The gray wolf habitat is around Asia, Europe and North America, however, it is also found in Russia and Canada.
- The gray wolf prefers cold conditions and hence found in the colder continents like Europe.
- The average life span of gray wolf is about 7 to 8 years, however, some wolves may live for 10 years or more.
- There are 5 different species of gray wolves found in North America, the Mexican wolves being the most endangered.
- Gray wolves have coats that range in color from grizzled gray or black to complete white. They have a yellowish white fur covering the legs and the belly.
- The gestation period is about 60 to 63 days and pups arrive mainly in the months from March to June.
- They have bulky coats made up of two layers. The first layer of the coat consists of tough guard hairs while the second layer is dense and water resistant, acting as an insulator for the wolf.
