Canis lupus
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.
According to the IUCN the gray wolf is considered as Least Concern (2010).
The gray wolf can be differentiated from dog or gloden jackal because of its following characteristics: The first hint is the size of the animals, which is about 105-160 cm body length, 80-85 cm body height and about 40 kg. The snout is broader, the ears and the torso are shorter and the tail is longer than in dogs and golden jackals. It is more lightly built, the legs are longer, the back is sloping and the neck has strong muscles. The head is standing in the height of the back. The fur can’t differentiate the species, because there is so much variation in its colour in both wolves and dogs.
There are several subspecies, but their number is not standard. A possible number is 37. In Greece occurs the type subspecies Canis lupus lupus.
Distribution (Greece)
In Greece the gray wolves exist in the north part of mainland. Their southern limit is Parnitha.
Distribution (Worldwide)
The gray wolf occurs in a very wide range that includes North America (Canada and U.S.A.), Greenland, Mediterranean region, northeastern Europe and the biggest part of Asia excluding the Indian peninsula and the southeastern Asia. It is considered as extinct in Japan.