1. The Grey Wolf Christina Dorsett http://www.glogster.com/media/5/27/6/94/27069451.jpg http://www.srd.alberta.ca/BioDiversityStewardship/Wil dSpecies/Mammals/WildDogs/images/GrayWolf.jpg http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/files/storyphotos/Gra y_Wolf_copy.JPG?0

2. The Grey (gray) wolf is a very adaptable creature that lives in much of the Northern hemisphere. Its scientific name is Canis lupus, and it has many different subspecies. Although it is present in both North America and Eurasia, the wolves from each of these continents seems to have evolved separately It is estimated that the European wolf evolved about 10,000 years before the North American gray wolf. It is the largest canid, or canine, that is alive today.

3. General Physical Characteristics Can jump up to 12 feet off the ground They have very large paws for their size the paws can spread out to support their weight in snow They also have non- retractable claws and fleshy pads for traction *Fun fact*: wolves do not use their claws for hunting or in fights; they are only for traction http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScKcTlejWDGhy wrLFV9TMv4XXCiVx6QJy8zcyaZSOstkzVO2rj http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBEIfCcsUe-- e1_E9pqPy761XjAwbPbjg44k9iQ_VSTENp3Ved Can sprint up to 40 mph Maximum lifespan is generally 17 years

4. Their Fur They can have white, grey, black, brown, or red fur Their coats are made of wooly fur for insulation, with guard hairs to keep out moisture

5. More Physical Characteristics Their sense of hearing is 20 times sharper than a humans; their sense of smell is 100 times keener. They have VERY strong jaws; they can apply a force of over 500 pounds per square inch. Size varies with different subspecies, but the average male weighs about 90, and the average female weighs about 80 The size of different subspecies varies with region- the farther south the wolf lives, the smaller the subspecies will grow to be Vision motion sensitive They are color blind They have a reflective retina, called a tapetum, that enhances their night vision Activity http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20110525 &Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=105250326&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0

6. Behavior Live in packs Can have anywhere from 2 to 36 members NO natural enemies Though bears and wolves have been known to kill each other, they do not seek each other out Humans are the biggest threat to the survival of the wolf http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/vecase/behavior/Spring2009/Kim/Assets/800px -Wolf_Pack.jpg http://www.lugh.name/images/pack-mentality-1.jpg

7. Interactions with Other Predators Felines Lynxes Their population in Slovakia has gone down significantly since wolves were introduced. Cougars They often steal kills from each other; sometimes they will kill the others young if they feel threatened. Leopards In Tibet, their numbers have been severely reduced. Tigers Tigers will often kill wolves; there are very few wolves in tiger ranges. Bears Wolves try to avoid bears when they can If food is scarce, they might fight over kills or take each others young Foxes Wolves will drive off or kill foxes if they get too close Coyotes Wolves will kill coyotes if they come too close to anything the pack does They will do the same with raccoon dogs and golden jackals in other parts of the world Hyenas In some parts of Asia, hyenas share the same ranges as wolves; however, wolves generally stick to the slopes, while hyenas are lowland animals

8. Interactions with Humans Wolves have been feared and hated in many parts of the world for centuries; only recently has public opinion changed about them. Even as late as the 1970s, there were ad campaigns created by the government that were degrading to wolves. They were often hunted by professional hunters who were paid by the government to get rid of as many wolves as possible. They were perceived as a threat to people, livestock, and pets, and therefore if a wolf or wolf pack was sighted, they would be hunted down and often mutilated; some were blinded, or had their muzzles wired shut, and left to starve to death. However, almost all alleged wolf attacks on livestock were actually the work of packs of feral dogs or coyotes.

9. Range The historical range of the grey wolf covered most of North America, all of Europe, and all of Asia; the largest range of any land animal except humans. They are now virtually gone from Europe, the U.S., Mexico, and southeast Asia. http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g62/TigerQuoll/Grey%20Wolf/wolfrangemap.jpg

10. Range continued Wolves are able to live in just about any biome except for tropical rain forests. Wolves have recently been reintroduced to parts of Yellowstone. They are still endangered or extinct in many parts of Europe; unfortunately, in some areas, they are being hunted again, mostly for sport. Wolf numbers have dropped so significantly that the red fox is now the widest distributed member of the family Canidae in the world.

11. Bibliography Alderton, David, and Bruce Tanner. Foxes, Wolves, and Wild Dogs of the World. New York: Facts on File, 1994. Print. "Gray Wolf." EcoHealth Alliance - Formerly Known as Wildlife Trust. EcoHealth Alliance. Web. 20 May 2011. "Gray Wolf Facts - National Zoo| FONZ." Welcome to the National Zoo| FONZ Website - National Zoo| FONZ. Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Web. 26 May 2011. "Grey Wolf- Canis Lupus." Carnivora. Web. 20 May 2011. Hampton, Bruce. The Great American Wolf. New York: H. Holt and, 1997. Print. "Wolves of the World." Cosmosmith. Web. 26 May 2011.