Wolves exist in many species.
Wolves belong to the canine family and are the relatives of the domesticated dogs that so many people keep as household pets. Their keen eyesight, sense of smell and acute hearing make them highly intelligent animals. Although many people admire them for their beauty, perceptions that they are a threat to livestock have put them at danger of extinction. Once a highly populous animal, the number of wolves in the contiguous United States dropped from 250,000 to 450 in the 1960s. Just like there are many different breeds of domesticated dogs, there are several types of wolves.
Gray Wolf
The gray wolf is the most common type of wolf.
The gray wolf is also known as the common wolf since it is the type of wolf that most people are familiar with. Their appearance varies greatly depending on their location, however, causing people to often mistake them for other types of wolves. Their coats can be a variety of shades of gray, brown, black, white, red or any mixture of these colors. They weigh anywhere between 55 and 200 pounds and are between 4 1/2 to 6 feet in length. They are identifiable by their heads and muzzles, which are narrow compared to other types of wolves. They have extremely sharp teeth and jaws and are said to have over three times the biting power of the average canine. The gray wolf is found throughout North America in regions characterized by mountains, deserts, grasslands, plains and sometimes even urban settings since they are so good at adapting to their surroundings.
Arctic Wolf
Arctic wolves exist in freezing climates.
The Arctic wolf is the only type of wolf that is almost entirely white. The majority of Arctic wolves are found in Alaska where it is extremely cold. As a result, they have padded paws that are designed in a such a way that allows them to walk on frozen ground. They also have two thick layers of fur that enable them to maintain a warm body temperature even in the bitterest of climates. Their outer layer of fur becomes thicker as winter approaches, and their inner layer serves as a waterproof barrier to protect their skin.
Red Wolf
The red wolf gets its name from its often cinnamon-red coat.
The red wolf gets its name from its often cinnamon-red coat, although many red wolves are more brownish in color. They can be distinguished from other wolves by their large ears, white fur around their muzzles, and heads that are larger than those of other wolves. They used to live mostly in Texas and Florida, but are now found in South Carolina and North Carolina due to reintroduction projects. Unlike many other species of wolf, they do not generally hunt in packs, meaning that they have typically small prey such as mice, rabbits and raccoons.
Indian Wolf
The small Indian Wolf is often mistaken for a fox.
Many people mistake the Indian wolf for a fox due to its reddish or light brown coloration. Adult Indian wolves weigh between 40 and 60 pounds, making them small in comparison to other wolf types. They reside in typically warm regions of India and, thus, have coats that are less dense than those of other wolves. Experts are puzzled by the fact that Indian wolves rarely howl even though they are capable of doing so just like other wolves.
Eastern Wolf
The Eastern wolf has a light brown or reddish coat and very closely resembles a husky dog. These wolves are mistaken for coyotes as they grow older because they begin to grow long black hairs as they age. Most of them are found in the United States around Mississippi and in Canada. Many Canadian farmers resent them for killing their livestock and have begun to hunt them or intentionally leave poison where the wolves will find and eat it.
Ethiopian Wolf
The Ethiopian wolf is medium in size with very long legs, very pointy ears, short, thick tails and a longer, pointier muzzle than other types of wolf. They come in reds, browns and white and turn darker in color with age. They are only found in Africa, mostly in Ethiopia. They are much less aggressive than other wolves and do not have much trouble getting along with other wolf packs.
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