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