Grey Wolf
Canis lupus
Least ConcernFast Facts
About
The grey wolf is the largest wild member of the dog family and the ancestor of the domestic dog. A highly intelligent and social predator, it lives and hunts in tightly bonded family packs led by a breeding pair.
Once persecuted to near-extinction across much of its range, the wolf has made notable recoveries in parts of Europe and North America, becoming a symbol of wilderness and ecological restoration.
Behaviour
Wolves communicate through an elaborate repertoire of howls, body postures and scent marking. The famous group howl both reinforces pack bonds and warns rival packs away from the territory.
Packs cooperate to bring down prey far larger than any individual could tackle alone, relying on stamina rather than speed.
Did you know?
- The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone reshaped rivers by altering the behaviour of elk herds
- A wolf can travel more than 50 kilometres in a single day while hunting
- Each wolf's howl is individually distinctive, allowing pack members to recognise one another
- Only the breeding pair in a pack normally produces pups each year
Distribution
North America, Europe and Asia across forest, tundra and mountain regions
