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Home > Coniferous Forest Animals > Eurasian Wolf

Eurasian Wolf

The Eurasian wolf, as the name suggests, is a canid subspecies found across Europe and Asia. It is a carnivore that has largely had its population cut down during various periods of history, but currently, conservation efforts have ensured that it thrives across the range that it inhabits. Its numbers are believed to be generally stable.

Eurasian Wolf Range

Eurasian Wolf Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Canidae
Genus Canis
Species C. lupus
Scientific Name Canis lupus lupus
Eurasian Wolf

Eurasian Wolf

European Wolf

European Wolf

Quick Information

Other Names Common wolf, Carpathian wolf, European wolf, Steppes wolf, Tibetan wolf, Chinese wolf, middle Russian forest wolf, Eurasian gray wolf
Physical Characteristics Size: Males 30 in (76.2 cm);
females are roughly 20% smaller than malesWeight: 70-130 lbs (31.8-59 kg)Color: Tawny coat of coarse and short fur, white patches on the throat that extend but just fall short of the cheeks
Where are they found Western Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, China, Mongolia and the Himalayas
Habitat Tundra, taiga, deserts, plains and mountains
Lifespan 7-8 years
Diet Medium sized ungulates, chamois, moufflon, wild boar, saiga, roe deer, red deer, livestock; occasionally hares and frogs; largest prey in Europe is the wisent, while in Asia, yak
Vocalizations/Sounds Whines, growls, and barking sounds like a dog, it most commonly communicates through howling
Adaptation The fur is specifically suited for them to survive in the cold climes that it lives in
Breeding Season January to March
Gestation Period 7 weeks
Litter Size 4-7 puppies
Enemies Other predators co-inhabiting their range
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern

Behavior

Eurasian wolves display social characteristics, forming large packs. This behavior is, however, variable as some populations in Europe have been seen to be solo hunters.

Carpathian Wolf

Carpathian Wolf

Eurasian Gray Wolf

Eurasian Gray Wolf

Mating and Reproduction

Mating takes place between the alpha male and alpha female of a pack. This is done to ensure that only the strongest genes are carried forward.

Eurasian Wolf Pup

Eurasian Wolf Pup

Eurasian Wolves

Eurasian Wolves

Life Cycle

Cubs are born blind and deaf. They are looked after by the entire pack, which bring food into the den where the young are kept. Foods brought in for the cubs are either full or regurgitated by adult members of the pack.

Great Plains Wolf

Great Plains Wolf

Russian Wolf

Russian Wolf

Interesting Facts

  • Although the howls of the Eurasian wolf and the North American Gray wolf appear to be different to human ears, they understand each other quite well.
  • It is currently the most widely spread of the wolf subspecies.
  • Eurasian wolves are regarded highly in various European cultures, including the Greek, Roman, Baltic, Celtic, etc. Germanic people of yore, however, had both regard and contempt for this animal.

References

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_wolf
  2. https://animalcorner.co.uk/animals/eurasian-wolf/
  3. http://tiba-earth.com/index.php/alphabetical/def/95-eurasian-wolf
  4. http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/eurasian-wolf-facts-animals-of-europe.html
  5. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/3746/0

Published on October 19th 2016 by Sudipto Chakrabarti under Coniferous Forest Animals.
Article was last reviewed on 26th December 2016.

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