gray wolf

Canis lupus

Critically Endangered →

Diet

Carnivore

Lifespan

13 years

Length

1.6 m

Weight

45.0 kg

Population

300.0K

Trend

→ Stable

About

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.

Fun Facts

✨ Wolves can run at speeds of up to 65 km/h.
✨ A wolf pack is led by an alpha pair.
✨ Wolves can hear sounds up to 10 km away.

Habitat & Distribution

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.

🌲 Forest 🌿 Grassland 🪨 Rocky Areas

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.

🇸🇨 Seychelles 🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda 🇧🇸 Bahamas 🇯🇵 Japan 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇨🇱 Chile 🇨🇺 Cuba 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic 🇻🇺 Vanuatu 🇦🇷 Argentina 🇧🇴 Bolivia 🇯🇲 Jamaica 🇱🇨 Saint Lucia 🇺🇸 United States 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇪🇨 Ecuador 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands

Diet & Behavior

🥩

Carnivore

gray wolf is classified as carnivore, adapted to its ecological niche.

Diet

🥩 Carnivore

Animal matter 100%

Conservation Status

CR Critically Endangered

Estimated Population

300.0K

Population Trend

→ Stable

Full Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia (สัตว์)

Phylum

Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)

Class

Mammalia (สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม)

Order

Carnivora (สัตว์กินเนื้อ)

Family

Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)

Genus

Canis (Dogs & Wolves)

Species

Canis lupus (gray wolf)

Names in Other Languages

Spanish Lobo gris

French loup

German Wolf

Russian волк

Arabic Dheeb

Turkish Kurt

Similar Species in Canis

View all species in Canis →

Explore More

สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม

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vs American Jackal vs Black-backed jackal vs golden jackal vs Simien jackal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of gray wolf?

The scientific name of gray wolf is Canis lupus. It belongs to the genus Canis.

What is the conservation status of gray wolf?

gray wolf (Canis lupus) is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. The population trend is stable.

Where does gray wolf live?

gray wolf is found in 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.. Countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic.

What family does gray wolf belong to?

gray wolf (Canis lupus) belongs to the genus Canis, which is part of the taxonomic family Canidae.

What does gray wolf eat?

gray wolf is carnivore. Its diet is adapted to its natural habitat and ecological niche.

How long does gray wolf live?

gray wolf has an average lifespan of approximately 13 years in the wild.

How many gray wolf are left in the wild?

The estimated wild population of gray wolf (Canis lupus) is approximately 300,000 individuals.

Is gray wolf endangered?

Yes, gray wolf (Canis lupus) is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, which means it faces a significant risk of extinction in the wild.