Canis lupus

The Gray Timber Wolf Canis lupus is a canine native to the wilderness and remote areas of Eurasia and North America. It is the largest extant member of its family, with males averaging 95 to 99 lb., and females 79 to 85 lb.

Like the Red wolf, the Gray Timber Wolf or Canis lupis is distinguished from other Canis species by its larger size and less pointed features, particularly on the ears and muzzle.

Its winter fur is long and bushy, and predominantly a mottled gray in color, although nearly pure white, red, or brown to black also occur.

The Gray Timber Wolf or Canis lupis is the second most specialized member of the genus Canis, after the Ethiopian wolf, as demonstrated by its morphological adaptations to hunting large prey, its more gregarious nature, and its highly advanced expressive behavior.

It is nonetheless closely related enough to smaller Canis species, such as the Eastern wolf, coyote, and Golden jackal to produce fertile hybrids.

The Gray Timber Wolf or Canis lupis is the only species of Canis to have a range encompassing both the Old and New Worlds, and originated in Eurasia during the Pleistocene, colonizing North America on at least three separate occasions during the Rancholabrean.

The Canis lupus wolf is the largest extant member of the Canidae family. It is slender and powerfully built, with a large, deeply descending rib cage, a sloping back, and a heavily muscled neck.

The Canis lupus wolf’s legs are moderately longer than those of other canids, which enables the animal to move swiftly, and to overcome the deep snow that covers most of its geographical range in winter.

The ears are relatively small and triangular. The wolf’s head is large and heavy, with a wide forehead, strong jaws and a long, blunt muzzle.

The Canis lupus skull is 9–11 in. in length and 5–6 in. in width. The teeth are heavy and large, making them better suited to crushing. Its molars have a flat chewing surface.

Canis lupus females tend to have narrower muzzles and foreheads, thinner necks, slightly shorter legs, and less massive shoulders than males.

The Gray Timber Wolf or Canis lupis is a social animal, traveling in nuclear families consisting of a mated pair, accompanied by the pair’s adult offspring.

Gray Timber Wolf or canis lupis is typically an apex predator throughout its range, with only humans and tigers posing a serious threat to it.

Canis lupus feeds primarily on large ungulates, though it also eats smaller animals, livestock, carrion, and garbage.