Living Beings
    Source-identified Canis lupus; Documentary organism photograph. Framed for display
    1 / 1

    Loup gris commun DSCF1575.jpg · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Documentary organism photograph. Musicaline · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Field guide · species

    Gray Wolf

    Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758

    What does the authority mean?

    The authority credits the formal scientific description of the name. A year records publication of that description.

    Check the recorded name and authority ↗
    AnimaliaMammaliaCarnivoraCanidae

    Gray wolves are social canids whose family groups coordinate travel, defense and the care of young. Their behavior is flexible: prey, terrain and human activity all affect how a pack uses its home range.

    Public research profile · final editorial review pending.

    Compare species
    Tree of lifeScientific lineage
    1. LifeLife
    2. DomainEukaryota
    3. KingdomAnimalia
    4. PhylumChordata
    5. ClassMammalia
    6. OrderCarnivora
    7. FamilyCanidae
    8. GenusCanis
    9. SpeciesCanis lupus
    Advanced classification

    Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.

    1. cellular organisms cellular root
    2. Eukaryota domain
    3. Opisthokonta clade
    4. Metazoa kingdom
    5. Eumetazoa clade
    6. Bilateria clade
    7. Deuterostomia clade
    8. Chordata phylum
    9. Craniata subphylum
    10. Vertebrata clade
    11. Gnathostomata clade
    12. Teleostomi clade
    13. Euteleostomi clade
    14. Sarcopterygii superclass
    15. Dipnotetrapodomorpha clade
    16. Tetrapoda clade
    17. Amniota clade
    18. Mammalia class
    19. Theria clade
    20. Eutheria clade
    21. Boreoeutheria clade
    22. Laurasiatheria superorder
    23. Carnivora order
    24. Caniformia suborder
    25. Canidae family
    26. Canis genus
    27. Canis lupus species
    Open in taxonomy explorer ↗

    Physical traits

    Long legs, a deep chest and a bushy tail characterize the species. Coat color varies greatly and is not a reliable guide to taxonomic identity by itself.

    Scientific source ↗

    Habitat and range

    Wolves occupy habitats ranging from forest and grassland to tundra, where sufficient prey and space remain.

    Scientific source ↗

    Diet and nutrition

    Large hoofed mammals are important prey in many populations. Smaller animals and carrion can also contribute.

    Scientific source ↗

    Behavior and activity

    Packs are commonly family groups. Howling and scent marking communicate identity and location; hunting can involve cooperation.

    Scientific source ↗

    Reproduction and life cycle

    Pups are born in a den and receive care from parents and other pack members. Some later disperse to establish new groups.

    Scientific source ↗

    Geographic distribution

    The species has a broad Northern Hemisphere range, reduced and fragmented in many areas by past persecution.

    Scientific source ↗

    Ecological role

    Wolves are predators and scavengers, and their effects depend on local prey and competitors.

    Scientific source ↗

    Distinctive adaptations

    Endurance, keen senses and social communication support long-distance movement and cooperative hunting.

    Scientific source ↗

    Conservation

    Human conflict, habitat connectivity and legal protection vary geographically; local recovery and global status are different questions.

    Scientific source ↗

    Evidence

    Sources

    Connected life

    No reviewed ecological connections in the collection yet.

    Explore network ↗
    Sample ad · Layout preview
    Forest horizontal sample ad design — visual placement demonstration