1. G RAY W OLF By : Shelbie

2. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS The gray wolf’s length is 4.5 -6.5 feet. The weight of the gray wolf is 35–130 lbs. The color of the gray wolf is grizzled gray or black to all white.

3. L IFESPAN Some gray wolf have lived 7-8 years in the wild. But some have lived 10 years or more.

4. E ATING HABITS / DIET The gray wolf is a carnivore. The gray wolf eats, elk, deer, moose, beavers, rabbits, and other small prey.

5. POPULATION There are 7,000 to 11,000 wolves in Alaska. There are more than 5,000 gray wolves in the lower 48 states.

6. H ABITAT /R ANGE The gray wolf lives in forests in the United States. The gray wolf is sometimes killed in these parts of the United States: Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, and other states.

7. A DAPTATIONS The gray wolf’s thick fur keeps it warm. The gray wolf’s camouflage helps it hide from prey. The gray wolf’s teeth help them eat prey.

8. F UN FACTS The gray wolf hunts in packs 4-7 on average. The gray wolf is the largest member of the canine family. The gray wolf resembles German Shepherds or malamutes.

9. E NDANGERED B ECAUSE Farmers kill the gray wolf because of livestock losses. The gray wolf is also endangered because of habitat loss.

10. R EFERENCE Defenders of the Wild. 2012. www.defenders.org www.defenders.org