WOLF
The gray wolf
or grey wolf (Canis lupus) is a canid native to the wilderness and remote areas
of North America, Eurasia, and North Africa. It is the largest member of its
family, with males averaging 43–45 kg, and females 36–38.5 kg. It is similar in
general appearance and proportions to a German shepherd, or sled dog, but has a
larger head, narrower chest, longer legs, straighter tail, and bigger paws. Its
winter fur is long and bushy, and predominantly a mottled gray in colour,
although nearly pure white, red, or brown to black also occur.
Within the
genus Canis, the gray wolf represents a more specialised and progressive form
than its smaller cousins (the coyote and golden jackal), as demonstrated by its
morphological adaptations to hunting large prey, its more gregarious nature,
and its highly advanced expressive behavior. It is a social animal, travelling
in nuclear families consisting of a mated pair, accompanied by the pair's adult
offspring. The gray wolf is typically an apex predator throughout its range,
with only humans and tigers posing a serious threat to it. It feeds primarily
on large ungulates, though it also eats smaller animals, livestock, carrion,
and garbage.
The gray wolf
is one of the world's most well-known and well researched animals, with
probably more books written about it than any other wildlife species. It has a
long history of association with humans, having been despised and hunted in
most agricultural communities due to its attacks on livestock, while conversely
being respected by some Native American tribes. It is the sole ancestor of the
dog, which was first domesticated in the Middle East. Although the fear of
wolves is prevalent in many human societies, the majority of recorded attacks
on people have been attributed to animals suffering from rabies. Non-rabid
wolves have attacked and killed people, mainly children, but this is unusual,
as wolves are relatively few, live away from people, and have been taught to
fear humans by hunters and shepherds. Hunting and trapping has reduced the
species' range to about one third of its original range, though it’s still
relatively widespread range and stable population means that the species is not
threatened at a global level, and is therefore classified by the IUCN as Least
Concern.
