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Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758
GRAY WOLF
Dingo, Domestic Dog; Domestic dog; Canis familiaris; Canis rufus; Red wolf

Life   Vertebrata   Mammalia   Canidae   Canis

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Canis lupus map		 Canis lupus_map.GSMNP.320.jpg
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Canis lupus map
GSMNP
Overview
Wolves range widely across a great variety of open to wooded habitats.

Conservation Biology

  • Special Protection Status

    • Rangewide: The wolf is on the federal Endangered Species List in the 48 contiguous states, but will probably be delisted by 2001.

    • In Park: All plants and animals are protected within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Collection requires a permit which is usually granted only for research or educational purposes.


Identification
  • Adult total length: 50 - 65 in. (1,270 - 1,670 mm)

  • Tail: 11 - 18 in. (280 - 450 mm)

  • Hind foot: 8 - 10 in. (200 - 250 mm)

  • Weight: 45 - 100 lbs. (21 - 45 kg)

  • Physical Characteristics: The largest wild dog, the gray wolf is usually mottled gray but may be black or white or any grade inbetween. It is distinguished from its nearest relative, the red wolf, by being 10 - 50% larger and by having a broader snout and proportionately shorter ears, and from the coyote by being 50 - 100% larger and having a broader snout and proportionately larger feet.


Phylogeny
Taxonomic Category Scientific Name Common Name
Phylum Chordata Chordates
Class Mammalia Mammals
Order Carnivora Dogs, Cats, Bears, etc.
Family Canidae Wolves, Foxes

Geographic distribution
The gray wolf was formerly distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. However, deliberate extermination has restricted the wolf's current North American range to Canada, Alaska, Montana, northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan (including Isle Royale in Lake Superior). Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and North and South Dakota support sporadic individuals, and Mexico may have a few.

  • Range Maps

    North America

  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The first mention of the status of wolves in this area came in 1844 when a letter to a member of the House of Representatives (Lanman, 1849) stated that sheep were destroyed by wolves "which have not yet been entirely eliminated."

    The following account of the history of the gray wolf is taken from Linzey and Linzey (1968): "The gray wolf once occurred in the Great Smoky Mountains in fair numbers but became increasingly less common as more of the land was settled. Buckley (1859) reported that wolves were "troublesome" to the mountain farmers of North Carolina and Tennessee. In 1887, C.H. Merriam ( 1888) noted that wolves "still occur" in the Great Smokies. John Oliver, a former resident of the Park, remembered hearing wolves howling in Cades Cove when he was a boy (1880-90). A resident of Gatlinburg recalled seeing one of these animals that had been caught in a bear trap near the Sugarlands during the 1890's. He also heard two wolves howling near the area that was formerly Chimneys Campground. Brimley (1944) wrote that wolves were "apparently finally exterminated in or about 1890, up to which time they still occurred sparingly in the mountains." Hamnett and Thornton (1953) stated: "In the Mountain Region, wolves existed in the more remote sections until the late 1800's and possibly until the very early 1900's."

    "There have been occasional unconfirmed reports of wolves in the mountains after 1900. The Knoxville News-Sentinel (Brewer, 1964) printed a column indicating that wolves were seen on Mt. LeConte as late as 1925. Ganier (1928) speculated that a few might still be present in the "wilder mountainous sections." An animal that was reported to be a gray wolf was killed near Waynesville, Haywood County, North Carolina, Feburary 27, 1933. Official verification is lacking for all of these reports."


Natural history
  • Reproduction
    After a courtship that may last from days to months, wolves copulate during estrus, which occurs once per year and lasts 5-14 days. The receptive period may be as early as January in low latitudes or as late as April in high latitudes. During copulation the pair remains coupled for as long as 30 minutes, during which ejaculation occurs many times. Gestation lasts 63 days, and litters average six young. The young are born blind and helpless, usually in an underground burrow. The same den may be used year after year ( Mech, 1999).

    The female usually stays near the young for at least three weeks. During this time, the male and other pack members hunt and feed her and the pups. The pups' eyes open between 11 and 15 days of age, and they are weaned when 9 weeks old. Healthy pups join adults in their travels as early as October. In the wild, wolves do not breed until they are 2, 3, or 4 years of age. Both sexes may continue to breed through at least 10 years of age (Mech, 1999).

  • Longevity
    In the wild, wolves can live to be about 16 years of age (Mech, 1999).

  • Terrestrial Ecology
    The wolf is a social animal, usually living in packs of 5-10 members, although packs of up to 36 have been reported. Generally wolf packs contain a set of parents (the "alpha pair") and some of the offspring of their past 2-3 litters.

    Wolves are primarily predators on ungulates, beavers, and hares, although almost any species of animal may be eaten, including any type of domestic animal.

  • Predators and Defense
    Humans are the only enemy of gray wolves.

  • Parasites
    None recorded from the park.


Links to other sites

References

Acknowledgements
  • Text
  • Photographs
    • Roger Barbour

  • Map development
  • Web page design & coding
    • Denise Lim, University of Georgia, Athens
    • John Pickering, University of Georgia, Athens


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Updated: 2024-05-02 02:08:20 gmt
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