From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Owston’s palm civet C. Attacks also occur on the fleshy nose, the back and sides of the neck, the ears, and the perineum. Bay cat C. Least concern LC. Temperate coniferous forest. The gray wolf used to range throughout the U.
Gray wolf, Canis lupus, also called timber wolf, largest wild member of the dog family Canidae. It inhabits vast areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Wolves were domesticated several thousand years ago, and selective breeding produced dogs. Keen senses, large canine teeth, powerful jaws, and the ability to pursue prey at 60 km 37 miles per hour equip the gray wolf well for a predatory way of life. A typical northern male may be about 2 metres 6. Standing 76 cm 30 inches tall at the shoulder, it weighs about 45 kg pounds, but weight ranges from 14 to 65 kg 31 to pounds, depending on the geographic area. Females average about 20 percent smaller than males. The largest wolves are found in west-central Canada, Alaska, and across northern Asia. The smallest tend to be near the southern end of their distribution the Middle East, Arabia, and India. Fur on the upper body, though usually gray, may be brown, reddish, black, or whitish, while the underparts and legs are usually yellow-white. Light-coloured wolves are common in Arctic regions.
See Subspecies of Canis lupus. The wolf is also distinguished from other Canis species by its less pointed ears and muzzle, as well as a shorter torso and a longer tail. The wolf is nonetheless related closely enough to smaller Canis species, such as the coyote and the golden jackal, to produce fertile hybrids with them. The banded fur of a wolf is usually mottled white, brown, gray, and black, although subspecies in the arctic region may be nearly all white. Of all members of the genus Canis, the wolf is most specialized for cooperative game hunting as demonstrated by its physical adaptations to tackling large prey, its more social nature, and its highly advanced expressive behaviour. It travels in nuclear families consisting of a mated pair accompanied by their offspring. Offspring may leave to form their own packs on the onset of sexual maturity and in response to competition for food within the pack. Wolves are also territorial and fights over territory are among the principal causes of wolf mortality.