FACTS Page
The wolf is a wild dog. Wolves belong to a species called the gray wolf or Canis lupis. Almost all wolves live in North America. Male wolves are about 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall, and weigh anywhere from 75 to 100 pounds. Females are smaller, and are only 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet tall, weighing 60 to 80 pounds.
Wolves can be found in many colors, it all depends on the environment they live in. They can be different shades of gray, brown, golden brown, rusty red, or any combination of these colors. Some wolves are pure white or jet black in color, gray wolves however, are the most common.
Timber Wolves: These wolves live in the forests of Alaska, Canada, upper Michigan, northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. They are called Timber Wolves because they live among the trees. Their coats of dark gray and black blend in well with their dark, shadowy forest surroundings.
Tundra Wolves: These wolves live on the treeless plains, or tundras in northern Alaska and Canada, and parts of extreme North America. They are usually white or light in color, to help them blend in with their snowy surroundings. Their coats of fur are quite thick and beautiful to help protect them from the cold.
Gray Wolves: Only a few wolves live in Arizona, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota and Mexico. The gray wolf is smaller than the wolves of the north and their coats are made of white, black, brown and gray hairs - making them look gray in color.
Red Wolves: This wolf with its brilliant coat of red is nearly extinct. The few red wolves remaining can be found living in the small parts of Texas and Louisiana.
This web page was created on July 30, 1997.