Wolf vs Gelappter Schildfarn

Canis lupus compared with Polystichum aculeatum

Key Differences

Wolf is Critically Endangered while Gelappter Schildfarn is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Wolf	Gelappter Schildfarn
Kingdom	Animalia (Tier)	Plantae (Pflanzen)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Tracheophyta
Class	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Polypodiopsida (Echte Farne)
Order	Carnivora (Raubtiere)	Polypodiales (Tüpfelfarnartige)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Dryopteridaceae
Genus	Canis (Dogs & Wolves)	Polystichum
Species	Canis lupus	Polystichum aculeatum

Conservation Status

Wolf

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~300.0K

Trend: Stable →

Gelappter Schildfarn

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Wolf	Gelappter Schildfarn
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	13 years	—
Average Length	1.6 m	—
Average Weight	45.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Wolf

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, deserts and xeric shrublands, and tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, among 13 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Seychelles), Asia (Japan), Europe (5 countries), North America (7 countries), Oceania and the Pacific (Marshall Islands, Vanuatu), and South America (5 countries). Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Gelappter Schildfarn

Habitat

Typically found in moist, shaded forest floors and tropical canopies.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Wolf

The most widely distributed wild canid, gray wolves range from North America across Eurasia in diverse habitats including tundra, forests, and grasslands. Highly social animals living in family packs led by a dominant breeding pair. As keystone predators, wolves regulate prey populations and profoundly shape ecosystem structure, as demonstrated by their reintroduction in Yellowstone. Once heavily persecuted, populations are recovering in many regions.