Types of Wolf
Image from ortizmj12
Wolves are proud beautiful animals, but its still easy to see in them bits of the domestic dogs we have come to love.
Habitat Plays A Role
Most of the wolves worldwide are subspecies of the mighty gray wolf.
Although they all have common genes, their location has had an effect on their physical characteristics, feeding practices and basic nature.
Some of the gray wolves can (and are in some circles) considered a different species due to their extreme isolation from one another.
Meet the Wolves of The World
The wolf from which most others arise, the gray wolf is the largest of the canid species. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats throughout most of North America.
These animals survived the ice age and are thought to be the ancestor of domestic dog. They may not, however, survive mankind.
The Arctic Wolf can be found on the islands of the Canadian Arctic and the north coast of Greenland. Because of their extreme isolation and the harsh conditions of their environment, not much is known about this subspecies of gray wolf.
We do know that their coat grows almost pure white and thicker than their cousins to maximize wamth in constant cold.
Also called Eurasian Arctic wolf, this animal is found throughout northern Europe and Asia, often in the arctic and boreal regions of Russia.
Among the largest of the grey wolves, these animals have a fine coat of fur and are often hunted for it.
The Arabian wolf was once found throughout the Arabian Peninsula, but now their territory has become scattered to bits of several different countries.
This subspecies is smaller than most and tend to live and hunt in small packs of 2 or 3 animals. They are also one of the few that aren’t known to howl.
The Mexican wolf is one of the most endangered canids on the planet. Originally they were found through most of northern Mexico and parts of the Southern US, and they were declared an endangered species in 1976.
What remains of the breed lives in zoos and wolf sanctuaries.
Found in north-central Russia and one of the 5 subspecies found within the Russian Federation. One of the largest of the grey wolves, the Russian Wolves are champion predators. Because of this, they thrive in the wild and their numbers grow quickly.
These animals are also known to be more aggressive towards humans than other greys. For these two reasons, the Russian wolf is legally hunted to keep their numbers down.
Also called the Apennine Wolf, the Italian wolf is found in the Apennine Mountains in Italy, some areas of Switzerland and parts of southern France.
A medium sized wolf, their bloodlines are thought to be particularly pure and relatively unaffected by domesticated dogs.
Once found throughout the Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula, now the Egyptian wolf is only found in northern Egypt and northeastern Libya. This subspecies is relatively small and often mistaken for the Golden Jackal.
They are critically endangered due to over hunting.
Also called Common Wolf, European Wolf, Carpathian Wolf, Steppes Wolf, Tibetan Wolf and Chinese Wolf. Originally found throughout Eurasia, now they are only seen in Central Asia.
The fur of this subspecies is generally shorter, more dense and richer in color than their cousins in North America.
Also called Eastern Timber Wolf, Eastern Canadian Wolf and Eastern Canadian Red Wolf, there has been speculation as to whether they are actually a subspecies of the grey wolf.
They are thought to be a hybridization between the grey wolf and red wolves or coyotes and a distinct species in their own right (Canis lycaon).
The Eastern Wolf is smaller than their cousins and often have physical characteristics similar to coyotes (who they’ve have been known to inter-breed with).
Also called Timber Wolf and Buffalo Wolf, this is the most common subspecies of grey wolf in the continental US.
The range of these animals used to cover the whole of the US and southern Canada. However relentless hunting and habitat destruction has resulted in their protection as an endangered species.
Luckily the Great Plains Wolf has made a great comeback and their numbers are rising again.
Also called Rocky Mountain Wolf, McKenzie Valley Wolf, Canadian Wolf and Alaskan Wolf, the Northwestern Wolf is found in western Canada and in Alaska all the way down the Aleutian Chain.
Over the past decade 11-20% of the Alaska’s wolf population is harvested every year thanks to people like Sarah Palin. They are predators perfectly suited for their environment, so numbers remained large in spite of the hunting.
Also called Desert Wolf, the Indian Wolf is another of the subspecies that can be considered its own species (Canis indica). It has been suggested that their bloodlines have not been crossed with any other subspecies for 400,000 years.
They can be found in eastern India and because of their habitat are smaller than their North American cousins.
These animals can be found in northern Portugal and northwestern Spain and differ physically from the more common Eurasian Wolf.
The Iberian Wolf gets their latin name from the dark marks on their tail and on both front legs. Signatus means “marked”.
The Ethiopian wolf is one of the rarest mammals on the planet & can be found only in the tiny Afro-alpine region of the Ethiopian mountains.
These animals were once thought to be jackals and their local name, ky kebero means red jackal. However recent genetic tests show that their bloodlines are more closely related to the big grey of North America. Which of course, makes their existence on the African continent a bit of a mystery.
The red wolf is not the same species as the gray wolf, although there is speculation that they are a naturally occurring hybridization of grey wolves and coyotes.
These animals used to be found most areas of the southeastern US, however now they are only found in southeastern Texas and Louisiana.
The Red Wolf is smaller than the grey with longer ears and shorter fur which is displayed in various reddish colors.
Be sure to learn about more of the dog family members the true dogs and the foxes & basal dogs.
Assuming that certain mixed breeds of husky/wolves/samoyed create a larger breed of dog, what logical mix would create such a big malamute?
I had no idea there were so many different wolves. It is very interesting to read about them. Thanks for the web site.
Wolves are such wonderful and beautiful creatures it is a shame most are endangered! I read once no wolf had ever killed a human an that wolves are usually friendly to humans, that is if your not trying to kill it!!! GO WOLVES!!!!!!!
SAVE THE WOLVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i’m doing a school project can i use the info and pictures please?
u forgot the rocky mountain wolf
Hi Kayla,
You are welcome to use the information to research for your project, just don’t turn it in as your own work. The pictures are not mine to give, however feel free to contact the photographers. There is a link under each picture to the source of the image.
The Northwestern Wolf is the rocky mountain wolf Kayla!
Wolves are one of the finest predators on our planet.
Some of the wolf subspecies need our attention like the indian wolf.
love to help save animals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
there r a lot of different wolf breeds out there..its kinda like buying..a dog thats smarter than u…then they have been bred down to have so dog in them…or a hybred…its all good..but it is really best all do there resourse study…i have rescued many ,,,and people abuse them because they think its a dog…NO its your family member…do not tie them to a tree..do not lock them in a room,,,we need to worship the wolf…the eagle..etc..they do not get flees..the only thing u have to worry about w a wolf…is when it molting,,it inner layer of fur..the companionship ,is unbelievablr…srudt and ask all the stupid guestion …u will get answers..LL
You forgot the ethiopian Wolf Canis Simensis
I love wolves with a Extreme passion. We have to help keep people like Sarah Palin from hunting them. For their fur or justfor the sake of hunting them. We Have To Save Them!
ver wonderful!!
can you tell me about agyptian wolf
we have in Iran about 1000 wolf
And one cannot forget the Ethiopian Wolf =)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/EthiopianWolf1.jpg
Thanks for the reminder about the Ethiopian wolf, don’t know how I missed them. They’ve been added.
By allowing the hunters in Alaska to hunt the wolves, Sarah Palin is doing the wolves a favor. When a species becomes that succesful in a given area they can quickly become overpopulated and outgrow their food sources. Thinning the packs a little bit helps them to survive as a whole!
Aerial hunting of wolves from a helicopter or plane with a rifle is nothing but sport. If population control is necessary, then obviously this is not the way to do it.
Also what kind of people do you imagine it attracts to offer a $250 bounty on a wolfs head?
Actually, managing a herd or pack from a chopper is the easiest way to do it. But I do agree with you about the bounty. That kind of thing is not needed. What humans have done to wolves is unforgivable, but we’ve also done the same thing to their major food sources. Until we can bring back the numbers of several species, keeping the packs at a level consistant with their PRESENT environment is our responsibility. We owe them that much.
mind if i use this info for a story i’m working on.
also this is a great site
Hi Mitch,
Thanks for your compliment & sure you can use the info for your story. We wrote the copy, but we didn’t take the pictures. However each image has a link to the source underneath it.
thanks.
and also if you want to look at any pictures or drawings of wolfs
why don’t you visit http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&q=wolfs.
To kooshan Mehran and other
Hey everything. My Name is Tomasz
http://www.fromzoomy.blogspot.com
Egyptain wolf is now consider as Canis aureus lupaster and are recognize as subspecies of golden jackal, but some authors and future study can confirm a new status of its canines, native to northern Africa, mainly desert regions.
Some egyptain jackals found in Eritrea, in coastal desert in 2004, know as Danakil desert, local people call them as wucharia, what mean a wolf. It is possilbe a distinct species of canid.
Koen de Smet, belgian biologist research in Ahaggar Mountains with Farid Belbachir wrote me lately by email that there live also some “mountain fennec” know by local people, but there not confirm taxonomy these canines and he waiting for camera trap’s photo, there found also scats and signs some unrecognized canines, not know for Africa and signs of mountain dwelling ruppell’s foxes.
It is possible that adjule know by tuaregs in Mauretania and western Mali is also wild dogs (Lycaon sp.). Heuvelmans confirm in Sahara some “wolves” in 1986. Some unrecognized canine appeared also in Eritrea.
Koen de Smet confirm difference between a few population of african wild dogs. Current living saharan wild dog is not confirmed by any science way, but local story it that exist there. Certain north areas of range wild dog is occupied by species in Senegal, Benin, Sierra Leone, Gwinea, Gwinea Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Tchad, Sudan, southern areas of Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon and a few other isolate populations.
There is existed wild dogs in a few parties in Sahara, but now is classify by Canid Specialist Group as extinct.
Ancient sign of “african” wild dog confirm also existence of species/genus in near and middle east of Asia and Persia to Pakistan. How also cheetah. Pleistocene wild dogs lived also in Europe, how earlier Xenocyon lycaonoides and dhole or sardinian dhole, close related to Lycaon.
Photo in first post is not include to saharan wild dog but common south african wild dog, there still not exist any photo or trap foto of saharan dwelling wild dog, it is too elusive!!! Sahara is too big!!
Saharan canines is very mysterious!!
Status of Canis lupaster in northern Africa is still unknown and unfamiliar to science. These are exist excpept egyptian jackal also saharan wild dogs(adjoules), some white rock dogs, mountain fennecs(Algeria) wucharias (Eritrea) and other know and unknown canines creature.
But also in Iran, keep rare and still unfamilar species as corsac fox, what is one of most unknown carnivore. There is no ecological data on golden jackal, red fox, sand fox or gray wolf and many unrecognize species what science still not recognize.
Tomasz
Canids conservation International 2014
dear Kooshan
Egyptain wolf are consider as subspecies of golden jackal, whith large ears, and long legs. These canines are still uncommon out Egypt and native to desert region in Libya or northern Sudan. There in Eritrea naturalist caprute on camera some photos of strange canid what can recognize as relative to egyptain jackal.
thomasquatl at gmail.com
arabian wolf from Israel:
Canis lupus arabs
http://www.pbase.com/image/84457936
http://www.pbase.com/shpirery/image/84457928
golden jackal:
http://www.pbase.com/shpirery/image/88904887
egyptian jackal:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QiZWaiXR12U/SNzWh1dAh6I/AAAAAAAAAII/zAouQ06LyHI/s400/Golden+Jackal,+wady+rayan.jpg
wow this website gave me all the information that i needed. thanks. I never knew that there were so many different types of wolves and they all look different in there own way it fasinating!
And what about East Carpatian Wolf? I have one beautiful czechoslovak wolfdog – mongrel German Shepard and East Carpatian wolf.
Hi Arya,
The Eurasian Wolf (Canis lupus lupus) also goes by Carpathian Wolf (among other names).
my favorite animal, but there is people who is still killing those wonderful creatures, some endangered and some to be endangered by hunters
btw, hunting is NOT a sport!
PLEASE SAVE THESE WOLVES THEY NEED OWER HELP
The Egyptian wolf you have photographed is not the one everyone is talking about. On the Sinai, there are Arabian wolves, which is what that animal is. It is a small subspecies of C. lupus– C. l. arabs.
This is the Egyptian wolf that has been moved to the golden jackal species: http://retrieverman.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/strange-wild-dog3.jpg?w=424&h=301
It has characteristics of both wolves and jackals, and it is possible that it is a hybrid of both, a unique species, or just a wolf-like subspecies of golden jackal.
Thanks for the info retrieverman!
wow,with so many types you would think there would be more wolves in the world.
Wow thanks a lot guys
Wolves are beautiful creatures, but with the growth of man, soon it will die. All the animals that thrive now only live in small parts of the world. Like wyoming and AK. To bad we can’t give them back some space….. ;(
Did you notice you have put on the arctic wolf, their fur maximazies wamth?
Yup Izzy, that thick, lovely fur keeps them warm even in sub-zero temperatures.
No u spelt warmth wrong.
i love wolves they are so cute
tanx for all, I LOVE WOLVES, I WILL CATCH ONE IN FUTURE,
I LIVE IN IRAN,
WOULD U HELP ME FIND A NICE WOLVE TO KEEP?
u forgot the timber wolves they are in important too. In fact I own one they are really amazing. It’s fun to watch him play with other dogs. He forgets he bigger than the others and gets a little rough, but its awesome.
Lol this information has been really handy and i love wolves
Wolves are the best animals in the world. If I could I would own a Wolf for a pet XD. When I grow up, I want to be a Zoologist, so I can help all the Wolves and outher animals that are in danger!! <3
I think you guys need to put more stuff up about the tibetan wolf please because that is the information i need so please if you could put that up for me
“Thanks to people like Sarah Palin”??? What? If the whole world was like Sarah Palin there would never be another animal species go extinct. Like most North American Hunters she understands the need for and the importance in following game laws. We as an advanced society pay biologists and ecologists to recognize when a species is over or under hunted/trapped and then make the necessary adjustments.
If you really want to hate something hate people that drive vehicles. They kill a way larger percentage of Candis on this planet than do hunters and trappers. So really you are more of a cause for species destruction than hunters…unless of course you don’t drive.
“Researchers conducting a recent study near Champaign, Illinois; found that Sarcoptic mange and vehicles were the major causes of mortality for urban foxes. Vehicles and coyote predation were major sources of mortality for rural foxes; hunting and trapping accounting for only 7 percent of deaths.”
http://dnr.state.il.us/ORC/Wildlife/furbearers/red_fox.htm
Anyway the best thing we can do is save, preserve and recreate habitat…native like it was 2000 years ago habitat. If it was grass then it needs to be grass now etc…that is a big problem when it comes to canid survivability.
the information for MAZIAR:
The Iranian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) is a subspecies of Grey Wolf which ranges from Lebanon, Northern Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. The Iranian wolf was thought to be the most likely direct ancestor of the Dingo [1], however recent evidence has shown that the dingo most likely descended from domestic dogs of East Asia.
Description
Standing 18 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder, Iranian wolves weigh between 55 to 70 pounds.[3]
The short, pale color of their fur helps them to blend into the semi-arid landscape of their habitat. They have little to no undercoat, thus keeping them cool in the hot Middle Eastern climate.[3]
They apparently seldom howl.
Lately research of the mtDNA of the Indian Wolf, formerly thought to be a variant of Canis lupus pallipes, confirms that this is a new species of wolf, now called the Canis indica, separate and distinct from other wolf species in the world.[4]
It is distinguished from the Arabian Wolf by its darker fur, larger size and proportionately larger head.
Current status
Israel seems to be the last hope for the Iranian Wolf’s survival in the Middle East because it is the only country in the region where they have legal protection. There are between 150-250 wolves all over northern and central Israel.
i need to know the food chain of the Eurasian or mexican wolf.
Hello wolf lovers!!! I indeed am intregued by wolves and have a deep passion because I am a wolf. More commonly know as a werewolf. THIS IS NOT A JOKE I am (or so I think I am) the only werewolf on the planet. I would like you to send me an email so I can tell you all about me and my family and other things. Please email me at hazelcull01@yahoo.com.
P.S. I only turn into a wolf when mad or upset.
THIS IS NOT A JOKE
IF YOU DON’T BELEIVE
OH WELL I GUESS!!!!!
@Hazel Cullen
You’re an idiot.
Not even addressing what you even claim, with the name ‘Cullen’ no one would even take you seriously. Lol.
wow thier are soo many kinds of wols cant belive it>
I love wolves they my fav save the wolves i love em
Thats cool….. Could u plz give me more info about the canis lupus albus wolf I need the info for na project :]
Save the wolves!!!! they are beutiful mammals.
Wolves are Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Go wolves! My favorite and I knew this before the Canis lupus occidentals A.K.A. the north western wolf.
OMG
there aLL SOOOOOOO CUTE !!
i FEEL LIKE HUMPING THEM SO BADLY
LOLOLOKL
I LOVE WOLFS\
YAAAAAAYYYYYYYY
!!!!!!!!!!!!
<3 <3 <3 <3
omg
i had no idea there were so menny wolfs!!!
There all so cute and to that Lisa girl
That is realy gross!!!!!
I think this is super awesome
I never thought that there were 16 types of wolf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My actual favorites are the Eastern wolf(canis lupus lycaon)and the tundra wolf(Canis lupus albus).
Who here loves all of the following animals:
Wolves
Cougars
Bobcats
Lynx
Snowy owl
Barn owl
Spotted owl
And the spirit bear (A.K.A. the kermode bear)
If you do,please tell me by leaving a comment or emailing me. My email is kayleyschnare@gmail.com. Please do so!
Thanks,
Kayley
To the Riley guy,
Is your last name Keck?
If it`s not forget I asked. But if so, I know you from a friend.
Does anyone want to be friends or does anyone have any coniferous forest/animal questions? If so,email me or post a comment. My email is kayleyschnare@gmail.com. Thanks! =D
I have a newer better email. It is shadowthewolf13@gmail.com
Hello? Why is nobody replying?
My boyfriend’s grandmother owns a wolf. Well, somewhat. She’s 80% red wolf, 12% german shepard, and somehow, 8% weimaraner. She is the most beautiful animal I have ever seen.
She’s extremely domesticated – his grandmother found her on the side of the road when she was only a few months old. She owns a boarding school for dogs and works with veterinarians, so she had all the help she needed to train her. The wolf’s name is Emmy.
She isn’t even a year old yet, and when standing on her hind legs to give us a hug, she is about 5’7″. Taller than me, actually.
She’s the sweetest thing ever. Shows no temperament yet or anything. Acts like a regular dog but shows wolf-like tendencies when it comes to having an alpha dog in the house, eating her food, and howling.
Wolfs are such cute animals i think they are wondeful things to see
lisa girl that is sooo gay!
wow,i didnt think there would be so many types of wolves.Wolves are my fave animal,they are soooooooooooooooooo kool.At my 5th grade graduation this indian guy came and told us storys and fables.He said he owned a baby wolf that had been abandoned cuz his mom got shot, but it was breeded with a huski toooooo
Hey paige,what is your last name.im doing a report on wolves and have to do a bibliography and it includes the authors full first and last name.dont worry i know i can use this for info.cuz i read the other messages, but i dont need the pictures.
ugh im bored…so im just doing this, waiying for someone to text back but i do have a loy of info thanks paige u helped me a lot i finished in one night
anyone there?
Hi Esiah,
I’m Paige Filler and I’m glad this helped.
lol hazel you arnt the only one
omg you texted back yay oh thank you for the last name…that sounds sooo familiar
hey this website is kool essiah is that reall true what u said?
i love wolves so much i that i act like one, i almost bit someone i like to growl too. they are so cool! ^-^
i lovee wolves
xxx
i think they are amazing animals xx
i hate the hunters who killed most of them xx
i dont know how anyone could kill such a beautiful creature. it is just sick xx
i act so much like a wolf too i bite and run and everything like one
hello,
thanx for the great inf’
i wonder… are there any kind of wolves in australia or new-zealand?
Wolfs are real cool.I had a pet wolf his name was Udo.He was a bit of a spaz but he was cute.one time he jumped on one of my nephews.^w^ LOL.He was so cool.We gave him to my neighbor,because he was the one who gave us the wolf and his male and female died.now i have a husky who is part wolf.P.S Zax is only my nickname.
i am writing a book about wolves and i am using the great Gray wolf pack as my subject. none of those photos will be used and i am only 11 so this would brighten my eyes about the wolves
I know izzy! I am the SAME way! Wow…(Creepy) Hey people someone email me who loves to talk about wolves and loves mountains and like all the wildlife on mountains! My email is kayleyschnare@gmail.com =D cool! I might get a penpal!
I Like Wolves… I had no idea there was so many types of wolves in the world
wow this is realli gr8 site…mind if i use some info for my bio assignment??
p.s. m obsessed with wolves. they r sooo cute. i just love them…:D
This website is sweet, though there are like.. over 30 subspecies of wolves. You covered a good majority, nice work paige. (and, by the way, LOVE the pictures!!) And oh, before I forget, to the person that thinks shes a werewolf…. seriously? Stop watching movies like that, its kinda stupid, and stupid of you to even remotely believe that your a fictional character. Some people have some pretty wild imaginations.. Unless that person is like.. 8 years old.. she shouldnt be believing that shes a werewolf. lol. Ive heard some crazy stuff, but wow. ANYWAY, LOVE THE WEBSITE!
Ok jus wanna say ive always been a fan of wolves even as a child and then when that show big wolf on campus showed up it became an obssession. Wolves, werewolves, spirit wolves, etc if it has the word wolf in it im interested. Btw im doing a research report on wolves and i was wondering paige if you knew exactly how many species of wolves there are in total. Also is it true that most kinds of wolves are just descendents of the gray wolves and if so how does the dire wolf factor in?
“Also is it true that most kinds of wolves are just descendents of the gray wolves and if so how does the dire wolf factor in?”
This is really not truth, that the many “wolves” are descendants of gray wolf. Many wolves are not descendants but subspecies of gray wolf, and are still include to the same species – gray wolf. Siberian wolf, Great Plains Wolf, Iberian Wolf, Italian Wolf, or Northwestern Wolf are only subspecies of gray wolf, geographical form.
However a few of this, that aren’t descendants, aren’t subspecies, too. In according to latest molecular studies Ethiopian wolf is evolved from others wolf-like canids, about 4 millions years ago. Red and eastern wolves are sister species to the coyotes, and then dire wolves are further relative of Canis lupus , and can be counterpart of gray wolf (what evolved in Eurasia) in North America. Hilmalayan wolf are primitive wolf species, and hereby is one of sidebar branch of pleistocene ancestors of modern gray wolf as well as indian wolf. Egyptian jackal is relatives of small jackal – like canines, what extinct in pleistocene in Northern Africa, and nor close related to golden jackal or gray wolf. Arabian wolf, what can be sidebar branch of gray wolf lineage and can be more related to gray wolf than indian wolf to gray wolf!!
Other wolves include maned wolf and Falklands wolf what are extant and extinct, respectively are south american endemic canid not related to Canis genus, and can be distinctive group of Canidae, however include to canini tribe.
fromzoomy.blogspot.com
STRONG MIGHTY WOLVES I LOVE THEM THERE MY FAVORITE ANIMALS WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
These wolves are soo awesome!!, there my fave animal in the universe. Luv the wolves ppl, help them survie the wild!!!!!!!
Hey this website is awsome it really helped me thanx paige you are awsome!!!!!!
wow this webdite rocks!!!!!!
i wish i owned a wolf luckys
i hate Sarah Palin, damn her to hell for hunting my favourits berrd of wolf, the Northwestern wolf.
wow
i dident know that there waz sooo many diffrent wolfs (y):-)
love wolfs lotz
like jelly totz
xxx
loveeeeeeeee itttttttt
I think they are cute and awesome well my friend devin likes big foot.
Wolfs are the smartest type of animal. They quardinate their attacks and hunt in packs!
“shenhav says:
February 5, 2010 at 11:40 am
hello,
thanx for the great inf’
i wonder… are there any kind of wolves in australia or new-zealand?”
None in Australia, although they used to have a Tasmanian Tiger, which is now extinct.
New Zealand, to be honest, sucks balls in the animal department.
(I live there, so I can diss it all I like.)
We have no mammals apart from bats, and the one amazing animal was killed by our natives.
The Moa.
Look it up on google images, it was a huge, tall bird, that was flightless.. A marvel, and unique to NZ.
u forgot one
the maned wolf the beat of all so add one more to that list
Hi Mrs Webb,
You’re absolutely right & the Maned wolf is another sub-species altogether. They are Chrysocyon brachyurus and they are not part of the grey wolf family. Interestingly enough many of their habits are quite different from the grey wolf descendants.
Looks like we’ll have to do a post specifically about this interesting animal!
I need to know how many types of wolves there are. Anyone profesinal know??
I need to know the population of each breed of wolf! I
hey esian and hazel you guys are not the only ones.wolves are my favorite animals.paige, there are a whole lot more of wolves.i love wolves i act like theme all the time, infact i have two dogs and i’m the one with the most domonince.
hey jonathan what’s your last name i think i know you.
hey paige, can i print the pics?
Hi Jade,
None of the pictures are actually my work, each one has a link to the photographer underneath. They are on the web under a creative commons license that allows you to use them as long as you credit the photographer for the work. If you want to print or use any of the pictures you should contact the photographers directly for permission.
ok, thanks paige will do.
Kill the stupid things. who cares about a pack of nasty mutts? I’m sick of that wet dog smell
guys if ur on bebo add me im lone wolf
and im loving this website very nice job please help me to make the love of wolfs knowen
Does the eastern wolf has a short tail or was it biten off or is it wagging its tail?
Ok, first of all, Hazel Cullen, you are not the only one, the term is Therian though.
Second I do not believe you, because most therians don’t ‘advertise’ is like you just did. There is a difference between advertising and being really open about it.
WTH is with your name? Cullen. Really?
People like you give Therians like ME a bad name!
I love wolves, they are no words in the English language to explain how I feel about them. I feel a connection. This site is a good source for wolves.
Wolf are awesome.
Wolfs are the most cutest things. Protect the wolfs. DON’T KILL THEM. (love wolfs)
Wolves are beast(like me) and should be saved so they can do their true job… Hunt down the Easter Bunny.
I LOVE wolves. I have this dog thats half husky and half wolf dog. Hes white so im thinking hes part Artic Wolf. But he might be tundra. can’t tell.
ARE Artic and Tundra wolves the same? thanks ppl!!!
No, they are slightly different.
I want to get a Grey Wolf but I think I need a license
LOVE and PROTECT the WOLF!
lisa has problems
My fiance and I have a half wolf half who-the-heck-knows-what hybrid. He’s bull headed and hard to train but gorgeous and wonderful and a BIG WHIMPY BABY! I love the wolves of this planet, they hardly get the love and respect they deserve. Thanks for sharing this great info with us!
I am the answer
wolves r awesome but the reason they kill them so that the caribou doesnt have to be extinct and the wolves will be too populated. yah I do feel the same way about the wolves but they r still awesome. so the hunters r doing a good job by hunting them and yah it is sad but they r still wolves in the world that r still living u know.
yah so that lisa gurl is freaken nasty but anyways the hunters r not cool but the wolves r awesome and I did had a wolf that is part husky too but she died her name was daisy and yah she got killed by my uncle. so its ok bcuz she had alot of porky pines inside her mouth. then her son dante died by my uncle too. dante was the smartest dog in Goodnews Bay of Alaska. and now dantes son is my dog and his son baby and my dogs name is max.
I think wolves r awesome but if there are too many the hunters will have to hunt them down bcuz the caribou will be gone and us eskimoes need to eat native food. not only other food that r not native food. but I do feel bad for the wolves but that will have to do is kill the one that destroys farms u know. so yah wolves r awesome and thats all I have to say.
oh I am from ALASKA in Goodnews Bay. anyone heard of it?
? Alaskan Tundra Wolf
? Alexander Archipelago
? Arabian wolf
? Arctic wolf
? Baffin Island wolf
? Bernard’s wolf
? British Columbian wolf
? Cascade Mountain wolf
? Dire wolf
? Eastern Timber Wolves
? Ethiopian wolf
? European wolf
? Common Gray Wolf
? Great Plains wolf
? Greenland wolf
? Hokkaido wolf
? Honshu wolf
? Hudson Bay wolf
? Indian wolf
? Interior Alaskan wolf
? Iranian wolf
? Italian wolf
? Kenai Peninsula wolf
? Labrador wolf
? Mackenzie Valley wolf
? Tundra wolfs
? Maned wolf
? Manitoba wolf
? Mexican wolf
? Mogollon Mountain wolf
? Newfoundland wolf
? Red wolf
? Southern Rocky Mountain wolf
? Texas Gray wolf.
are other types of wolves
I was really enjoying the site until I read the entry that said, “Over the past decade 11-20% of the Alaska’s wolf population is harvested every year thanks to people like Sarah Palin.” I thought I was reading an official scientific, unbiased fact sheet. Then suddenly I am slapped with someone’s political slant. How can I trust anything on the site now? How do I know any of this is legitimage science? Now I have to go research other resources to verify the material. Is nothing sacred anymore? I don’t care 2 cents about Sarah Palin, but I would like to know the information I am reading isn’t someone’s politically biased and slanted information. Save your hate for the “Slam Sarah Palin website,” and this site be a serious fact sheet. For heaven’s sake!
– Harlan
Wolves are amazing XD
I do not why people could kill them they are to amazing and beautiful
I have a dog to bad not part wolf
This site is just amazing and i love think this is the best wolf site i have ever seen its just amazing
Btw anyone share my passion for wolves email me
nickfeth@yahoo.com or add facebook or myspace
myspace look for nickshere10@aol.com
btw my dogs name is bear and he is part huskie chow and german shepard
wolves rock like jacob black
Hey! Great website! If there is anyone on here that loves pretending that they are wolves, I have the perfect website! It is called Wolfquest and it is a free online game. You have to download it first but other than that it is SOOO much fun!
-Kayley
P.S.To that stupid other Kayley, Get a life and don`t give people your email. Someone can stalk you for that.
I forgot one thing; My love and passion for wolves runs so deep in my body I can`t even put it into words like another person said.
I could not live a day knowing that the wolves would be extinct. This is where you can help. If you are in the woods try not to cut down evergreen trees. Wolves love that protection that the forest gives them. Also if you see a wolf den leave it be. A wolf will not fight you, but run. And it can be very long before the wolf finds a new den. I hope you try to follow these tips as best as you possibly can. I might have more for another day so watch for MY comments and not that stupid other persons. I think someone is using my name, and I dont know who. (Maybe it was that Lisa girl…) Anyways, thanks again for reading my suggestions.
P.S. to Paige: You should really put in a part on how you can help save endangered wolves. I would be happy to help.
-Kayley
hi kayley you love wolves to thats awesome cuz i love wolves too!
its sad what people do to them 
well email ma at brekkengentry@yahoo thx !!!!!!!!!!! 
hey kayley my brother is going to shoot a wolves!!!!!!!
wolfs rullllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll wooooooooootttt
Woah!
I love wolves but I thought there were only, like , three or four types!
Thanks for this website, its really good, plus I needed something to do my project on…
S
i am doing a school project on wolfs
Well this helped me a lot X3 now on to writing mwahahahaahahaha. I hope wolves stay around forever.
Wolves are the coolest animal in the world!! :]
i love wolves, they are very intelligent and organizable, they mainly use their talent to hunt but not their smart body.
i’m doing a school project can i use the info and pictures please?
Hey id like to say that this is an awsome site. Im only 17 but one day im going to do anything and every thing i can to save and protect thes magical animals. the wolf (to me and hopefuly every one els) is the most important animal. 1,000 and 1,000 of stories, poems, and tails are told about wolfs! stories past down from people all over the world. its funny but out of all the tails iv heard 98% are tails of their beauty, smarts, courage and every thing inbetween.The other 2% are made up fairy tales ment to scare us and make us think they are blood thirsty human killing crazd beasts. but thats why their fairy tales righy? and their now way of discribing my love and passion for wolfs.saying i was a wolf would be wrong but like my family over generations i belive in the spirit of animals and nature. and i feel the spirit of the great wolf flow through my vains! i only feel 100% at home when im out doors.(its not me being crazy. and im no tree hugging hippie! juat a teenager trying to keep the hopes and dreams of my ancestrs alive and doing what they intended me to do).but. yaaa. funny comments some a little odd but great info. keep up the good work paige! may the spirits watch over you.
you forgot alaskan tundra wolf alexander archipelago wolf bafin island wolf bernards wolf british columbian wolf cascade mountain wolf greenland wolf hudson bay wolf interior alaskan wolf kenai peninsula wolf labrador wolf mackenzie tundra wolf mackenzie valley wolf manitoba wolf magallan mountain wolf new foundland wolf n.rocky mountains wolf s.rocky mountains wolf texas grey wolf vancouver island wolf common red wolf florida red wolf swamp wolf hokkaido wolf arabian wolf iranian wolf dire wolf and maned wolf i checked this all out at world of wolves trust me my favorite kind of animal is wolves but i wouldnt know all this lol im only 11 but i thought i would put this so this website could get better then world of wolves if you have some of these already then sorry for wasting sometime saying it and you can check world of wolves to see if i left any off that you dont have becos i left some off becos i heard them on your website i also know alot and love greek mythology and i hate what has happened to all these endangered animals especcially wolves i love wolves and metal rock but im concerned about all animals even the dodo didnt deserve that fate that it got anyways im a pretty good speller so i would figure these are all accurate spelling im also in 6th grade go 6 GRADE!woot
plus, you guys shouldve heard paige you can do it but you might wanna ask the people who started the pictures at the websites that are under the pictures
i just checked my second to last comment and its baffin island wolf
also dont comment bad about me writing all this i hate those comments that people always talk bad on youtube plus if any of you play world of warcraft i play on bokasu or mahskawa on the scarlet crusade server on the horde side
A few notes:
On wolves of the Asia:
You left several types of wolf out–the Himalayan wolf, the Honshu wolf, the Ezo wolf, and the Tibetan wolf. The Honshu wolf (Canis lupus hodophilax or Canis hodophilax,taxonomy is uncertain) is officially extinct and inhabited the three southern islands of Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku) and was the smallest wolf–only a foot tall at the shoulder. The Ezo Wolf (C. l. hattai) was larger and was considered a distinct supspecies of the gray wolf; it lived on the northern island of Hokkaido and also Sakhalin Island. The Tibetan Wolf (C. l. chanco) inhabits Mongolia, China, the Korean peninsula and of course Tibet. It is morphologically and behaviorally very different from C. l. lupus, the common Eurasian wolf–it is a distinct subspecies of it’s own. The Himalayan wolf is genetically distinct from both gray wolves and domestic dogs–it lives in northern India and Nepal and mitochondrial DNA evidence indicates that it has not interbred with gray wolves for 800,000 years and that it did not contribute any genetic material to domestic dog lineages. It’s name and taxonomy remains a confusing issue. It was first named C. laniger (Hodgson, 1847), then considered as part of the Tibetan subspecies of gray wolf (C. l. chanco, Grey, 1863). The proposed scientific name now is C. himaleyensis, though C. laniger would have priority if Hodgsons’ observed animal was the same as Julie, the Himalayan wolf in an Indian zoo from which the DNA was extracted. It is unknown whether other wolves in Tibet and other parts of East Asia (C. l. chanco) are the same as ones from India–DNA testing was done on Indian wolves; also, the Tibetan wolf is thought to be the most probable ancestor of modern domestic dogs based on the locations of ancient breeds and mandible morphology, while the Himalayan wolf is known to have played no part in the domestication of the dog.
http://www.wolfsongalaska.org/Wolves_South_Asia_originate.htm
On North American wolves:
Based on mitochondrial DNA, the red wolf and the Eastern wolf are the same species, with no difference in DNA. They are not closely related to the gray wolf (which evolved in Eurasia, likely India, 800,000 years ago and spread to Europe and North America later (in both places evolving into it’s present form about 150,000 years ago)). They are closely related to the coyote. The coyote/eastern wolf/red wolf ancestor split from the gray wolf ancestor in North America at least 3 million years ago, with the coyote and Eastern wolf/red wolf branch splitting relatively recently (150,000-300,000 years ago or 750,000 years ago depending on the source), according to mitochondrial DNA analysis. If the same species, the red wolf and eastern wolf would likely be given the scientific name of Canis lycaon as the Eastern wolf was named about 75 years earlier than the red wolf. Although red wolves sometimes interbreed with coyotes now it is unlikely that they began as a gray wolf/coyote hybrid as some genetic evidence suggests otherwise and historically only red wolves, not coyotes or gray wolves, lived in the southeast US (coyotes used to live only in the prairies and deserts of the central and western US). More importantly, the closest relative of the red wolf, the Eastern wolf of Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and northern Minnesota, has been observed (in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario) to kill any coyotes entering the pack’s territory and not interbreed with them (although sometimes Eastern wolves interbreed with gray wolves in some parts of Canada and in Minnesota). Different genetic researchers will, however, class the red wolf and eastern wolf as coyotes, gray wolves, or coywolves depending on the results of the particular study.
On wolves attacking humans:
It happens. It is extremely rare and I can find no record of it in North America but it has happened in Europe and Asia and still happens in India. The wolves are typically starving or rabid and in the case of starvation have no alternate food source. They will take infants and small children as they are the easiest prey. Occasionally the wolves will apparently raise the children as their own but it is far, far more common for them to injure or kill them after taking them. This has happened within the last one or two centuries in Tibet and Korea. In Britain, the last wolf alive (in Scotland) was pursued and killed in the 1700s after attacking two boys, at least one of which later died. Wolves in Scotland would regularly exhume graves and eat human remains, to the extent that some Scots started burying their dead on offshore islands or with large stones on top of the coffins. That being said, wolves are smart animals that naturally learn to avoid contact with people and will rarely prey on livestock and almost never prey on humans–they do so only when rabid or starving with little or no alternative.
yeah i saw the tibetan wolf on there but i thought that that was a name for another wolf she has anyways some i didnt get becos i thought she had thm plus that website probably didnt have every single wolf on it
WOLFS>>>>WOLVES>>>>>>WOOOLVES….I love wolves they are so wonderful, magical and ….i don’t have words to describe…this is awesome i can learn about every type of wolf…LOVE IT!!!!! wolves rulz!!!!
wolfs are the best animals my fav is the black wolf im doing a report and i need facts save the wolfs people should not hunt wolves the people who hunt wolves deserve to be hunted them selves
people who hunt wolves deserve to be eaten alive by wolves my fav is the black wolf it a indian wolf
all wolves are awesome you guys wanna meet a werewolf here i am! i really am a werewolf.wolves are awesome.
hey im a 9 year old who lives in egypt i was boren there but i was raised in canada so im at school evry day and while im there there are dogs who come around the school so i was going after school before the buses leave i went to feed a dog so guss what i found.
a egyption wolf !!!
How about the largest, most ferocious, most terrifying, and featured in a Greatful Dead tune, the Dire Wolf(Canis Dirus)
hi i hade a projet to do on friday and i did not do it at all so my friend told me to go on this website and my projet was done in 30 min thanks
4 +++++++++++++++++++ oh
Oh wow. *mind is blown* SO many wolf species, yet most of them seem to be dying out, and to know that I cant do anything to help…Anywhoo, I’ve got a wolf dog, Her name is lyric! We got her when I was…Uhm Maybe just over one? So shes about 11. Yes that means I’m 12 xD. But you wouldn’t know how much a wolf she really is! The person who sold her to us told my dad that she was 60+% wolf and she had a bit of german sheperd and border collie. He also said her father’s father WAS a wolf! Though unfortunatly for lyric, she’s deaf and going blind… Anyways (to my previous subject) I love wolves, they stole my heart the moment I found a picture of one and was old enough to ask my mother ‘what that big doggie was.’
i love wolves
i love wolves i just wish that they werent endangered
ihad a dream about a wolf here it is
dear dream diery,
i had this crazy but neat dream it was that i trained a
grey wolf/red wolf.First it bit me and my friends.Second
i tried meat that didnt work.After that me and my
friends went inside we had fresh pizza on the table we
let the wolf in and i gave it some food other then meat
he/she didnt bite me or my friends.I started to feel
like i had tamed the wolf he/she let me pet him/her,i
got to play whith it and i got to walk the wolf around
the back yard.i just knew he/she would come when i say.
i called her the misteryious wolf…..he/she will come
back i just know it…..i hope he/she is real i know
he/she is real i can feel it……………!thats my dream
Wolves are one of the endangered species animals, they need our help. Many people on the internet and telivision, and just in person are making the wolf sound like a creature that tries to kill, but it huntes because it has to eat, the only reason that it would hurt a domesticated creature is because their habitats are being demolished by Human Beings, our friends, family, any one that we know or have no idea exist, are part of the destroying, or the rebuilding. Like I said before, they need our help, we are the only ones who can help them. Thank you for your support.
Hi, there. I am writing a classroom activity on how kids can help protect wildlife, and your website is very helpful.
Can you tell me what wolf species live in Israel? They have been protected since 1954, and I understand that there is a total population of about 400 animals–but I haven’t been able to figure out which species.It’s possible that there are two different types, those up north in the Golan Heights and then those down south in the desert. Thanks!
Dear Jason Sweatt,
Wolves are amazing creatures and even if some people think we need to kill the wolves, they are amazing adapters and since we kill their food stock they still can live by adapting to their surroundings like the panda bear. We need to save the wolves not kill them as a little game and then say its out of pity for the creatures. It infuriates me that they hunt these harmless creatures.
After watching “Wolf’s Rain”, I have gained respect for wolves and hope that they will be protected in the future.
We have to save the wolves before its too late!!!
P.S sarah what is wolfs rain like?
Gregory Rollin (and the rest), when I visited the website you posted, with great surprise I saw my Barley there. It is the mirror image of a very young “dog” that I found in an empty lot in Baja California, Mexico, 20 minutes from San Diego, USA. I live there on the beach and I rescued previously three dogs. This 4th one was so covered with mange and skin infections that had not a hair in his body not even on the tail, just bleeding crusts. He was also severally emaciated, near dead but standing up. After a month with the vet he came home. I was taken aback when his hair kept growing and a little apprehensive about his new looks and size. I have also a Pit Bull, a Chihuahua, and a Cocker Spaniel. Searching to identify the approximate breed of this canine I have found no resemblances at all, other than to the wolf species. The overall color is as the coyotes, but not the ears and muzzle, (longer in the coyote). However, I read that sometimes to differentiate coyotes and wolves DNA testing is needed) He has very light yellow undercoat and darker reddish top. The face is whitish with a light grey/black faint line dividing the muzzle. Eyes: amber but not yellow. His tail is bushy feathered but erect most of the time, (after all he is a happy fellow), but he puts it down when in attention or search mode. His muzzle and the ears are unmistakable of a wolf. He does not howl, but he did not know how to bark either; he was approximately 6 months old. He attempted to howl after hearing my petit Cocker Spaniel who is the unsurpassed howler. I discouraged that since my community of American nationals does not tolerate noise. However, he whines/whimpers constantly as a conversational means if he has something to say. He barks only when he is extremely happy (all the time when I am paying attention to him and includes happy whining). He does not qualify at all as a guard dog, much less a defense dog. He was very agile, like a cat, and got into very high places such as the upper top of the brick barbecue wall, at the edge in the balcony upstairs. No other of my dogs have done that, and considering his size, it is amazing. He discontinued that since he realized he cannot go anywhere from there. But definitely, he stares at the horizon for hours. At all times he eats seating down, something I have not seen before with any of the many dogs I had. He is playful like a puppy but only with me, not the dogs. He absolutely refuses to go to the yard during the day if I don’t go, but even with me he immediately wants to go in. However, he loves to go there at night and even sits there all alone for long periods. He prefers to go there after the other dogs are back inside. So he is nocturnal and a loner. He is the most respectful canine that I ever seen observing to the dot the rules of a pack, never walked ahead of me, for example (very awkward on the staircase); very different of my other dogs! As bad as his shape was when I found him his large teeth were snow white. He did not associate food with the kibble I gave to my dogs, but he learned out of necessity. Once I bought for each of them a large beef bone to play/chew he ATE his in its entirety in less than five minutes! I had to remove all from the other dogs. Unlike all my other dogs, not a piece of a vegetable will cross his lips, but is delighted with a strip of frozen raw chicken (raw only if frozen, for safety). At the beginning, before being house broken, when I came home I found (without exception), my large and very heavy indoor flower pots turned over (but never broken), the soil nicely spread over that section of the floor with his urine and scat on it, but not in any other place. This happened for months until he realized that the yard was the proper place and less work! He seats constantly on the floor by my side when I am in the computer. He follows me up and down the house not losing sight of me at any time. He is not that interested on his dog siblings, only to bumping them off with his head to prevent that I pet them also. All four eat from only one bowl, and they patiently wait in line for their turn to eat. It has been almost 2 years and in spite that I wanted at first to place him safely somewhere, I could not do so because he is so incredible bonded to me with uttermost respect, loyalty and love. He won my heart.
Sorry for the long message.
Thanks for your comment shewolf, it’s always great to hear a success story with a rescue. Sounds like Barley is a special animal – not to mention a lucky one.
I mean dont kill the wolves if they are kiiled by us the nature will definitly have a revenge on us so please dont kill the wolves
honestly I love wolves like Robert says they are amazing creatures wolves can be useful for the nature I once read about a book of endangered animals and one of them are the wolves please save them and protect their young.
save the wolves cause for me they are important in the nature, save and protect,them dont allow the hunters hunt anymore cause the wolves are living peacefully in the forest save them and have piety on the wolves, Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon? if kill the wolves you can never-ever hear that cry so I beg of you dont kill them
what kind of wolf is a black wolf
your mums a man
save the wolves
im posting a u tube video about wolves i’l keep you updated