Fauna Report: Gray wolf

Mauricio Zaldana
Ms. Overly

Gray Wolf

The gray wolf (Canis lupus), is also known as the timber wolf. The gray wolf is the largest wild member of the canine family. Its shoulder height ranges from 0.6 to 0.9 meters (26–36 inches) and its weight varies between 20 and 68 kilograms. Wolf weight and size can vary greatly worldwide, tending to increase because of the different environments or food they interact with.

The gray wolf can live between 7 to 8 years with a maximum life span of 10 years. Wolves have variety of places in which they can live. For example, they can live in forest, deserts, mountains, tundra, taiga and grasslands. Wolves mostly stay on the same place year-round because their hair changes with the four different seasons. However, sometimes they move into a more comfortable place. Wolves have bulky coats of two layers. The first layer is made up of tough hair that repels water and dirt. The second is a dense water resistant coat that insulates the wolf.

The forest is a perfect place for a wolf to live. In the forest wolves use a powerful technique to avoid predators. Camouflage helps the wolf by providing it protection and tools to hunt. The wolves play an important niche in the habitat. As predators, gray wolves help to maintain balance in the food web. Wolves are considered carnivores because they only eat meat. The loss of wolves in ecosystems have lead to the overpopulation of other animal species. Pairs of wolves made in the winter and about 9 weeks later, 2 to 14 pups are born. Pups are born blind, and can only travel after 3 to 5 months pass. Wolves travel in packs because they have more chances to survive and are able to protect the new members of the clan and the old members as well.