Carnivora
Canis lupus
SUMMARY
The gray wolf is the larger living canid (excluding some large dogs). It occurs in a very wide geographical range that includes regions on Europe, North America and Asia. It is the a-predator in many northern ecosystems. Because of its beauty, its terrifying appearance and its relation with the dogs it is considered as one of the most studied and respected animals. The size of the gray wolf is about 105-160 cm in body length, 80-85 cm in body height and about 40 kg in body mass. Its fur color varies geographically and seasonally. Of course the main pattern is gray, but pure white or black individuals exist.
The gray wolf is strictly monogamous. The alpha pair is the only pair in the pack that breeds. The breeding happens in late winter. The gestation lasts 2-2.5 months and the juveniles reach sexual maturity in 2 years in the wild and 9-10 months in captivity.
The main part of the wolf’s diet is the large and medium-sized ungulates such as red deer, mouflons, goats, caribou etc. Other animals that can be seen as prey are boars, foxes, badgers, squirrels, mice, toads, lizards, snakes, birds, eggs, insects and carrion.