~General Information ~Packs ~Pups
Dogs, man's best friend are closely related to wolves. In fact, they are their closest relative. Read on to learn about the dog's relative.
Size and Fur-Wolves are fairly large animals with an average adult being 4 1/2 feet to 6 1/2 feet (1.4 to 2m) from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail. They stand at about 26 to 28 inches(65 to 95cm) at the shoulder. Their weight depends on where they live in the world. Wolves in northern parts, weigh about 130(59kg). Wolves in southern parts weigh about 50 pounds(23kg). Finally wolves in the Middle East weigh about 30 pounds. The wolf's coat is usually mostly gray with some tawny(a golden color with hints of red) marks, but they can, and are different colors, usually depending on where they live. There are some in Canada and Alaska that are black, and some in Greenland that are a creamy white with hints of grey on their back. A wolf's coat consists of two layers. The first layer is very light and called underfur. This underfur is short, soft and thick. It keeps them warm and special oils in it keep them dry. The top layer of fur is called guard hairs. It is longer, smoother, and also helps keep the animal clean and dry. Because of these two layers, Wolves can sleep in temperatures as low as -40°F.
Senses-Wolves have very good senses especially hearing and smelling. A wolf in a forest can hear a sound 6 miles away, and a wolf in the Tundra can hear a sound 10 miles away. The sense of smell in a wolf is 14 time the sense of smell in humans. Using only smell, a wolf can identify other animals 1.5 miles(2.5km) away.
Other-
- Wolves have 42 teeth with which adults can crack open bones.
- Wolves often move 8-10 hours a day
- The long muscular legs of a wolf let them move quickly through unbroken snow and rushing water.
- There are believed to be 4 sub species of grey wolves
- A wolf will use body language, howling and scent to communicate
- Wolves eat a diet of mostly meat, but will eat grass, fruit, and mushrooms if there is not meat available.
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