The Gray Wolf (Canis lupus; also spelled Grey Wolf, see spelling differences; also known as Timber Wolf or Wolf) is a mammal in the order Carnivora. The Gray Wolf shares a common ancestry with the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), as evidenced by DNA sequencing and genetic drift studies. Gray wolves were once abundant over much of North America and Eurasia. Due to habitat destruction and hunting, wolves inhabit a very limited portion of their former range. Though listed as a species of least concern for extinction worldwide, for some regions including the Continental United States, the species is listed as endangered or threatened.
The Gray Wolf, being a keystone predator, is an important part of the ecosystems to which it typically belongs. The wide range of habitats where wolves thrive reflects their adaptability as a species, and includes temperate forests, mountains, tundra, taiga, and grasslands. In much of the world, with the exception of Northern regions, they are listed as endangered. They continue to be hunted in many areas of the world for their perceived threat to livestock, as well as for sport.
Subspecies of the wolf
It was once believed there were up to 50 subspecies. However, the last decade has seen a new and widely accepted list that has been condensed to 13 living subspecies, 15 including the common dog and dingo, and 2 recently extinct subspecies. This takes into account the anatomy, distribution, and migration of various wolf colonies. Subspecies: Arabian Wolf, Arctic Wolf, Caspian Sea Wolf, Dingo, Domestic Dog, Eastern Timber Wolf, Egyptian Wolf, Eurasian Wolf, Great Plains Wolf, Hokkaido Wolf, Honshu Wolf, Iberian Wolf, Indian Wolf, Italian Wolf, Mackenzie Valley Wolf, Mexican Wolf, Russian Wolf, Tundra Wolf. |
