Red Wolf Facts

Size wise, the wolves are said to be largest members of the dog family. The wolves and dogs share very similar features like their sense of smell, their tails and the shapes of their skulls. One of the many facts about wolves, is that they are differentiated from their dog brothers by only one significant feature, their savage and wild behavior. Dogs are considered to be man's best friend due to the fact that they are domesticated animals and display wild behavior only against their foes, when they feel that their masters are in danger. Wolves on the other hand, are feral predators that cannot be domesticated, unless they are hand raised as pups.

Facts about the Red Wolf

Ancestry and Genesis: Wildlife experts believe that the red wolf shares his blood lineage with three other varieties of wolves, which are the grey wolf, the eastern timber wolf and the prairie wolf. All the four varieties share almost the same features, except the color and size of their fur coats. Studies on wolves and concentrated research on the red wolf has revealed that the beast evolved into its present form some one to two million years ago. During this time of evolution and migration, the ancestors of wolves, which were large mammals that resembled the present day dogs and wolves, migrated northwards. A large part of the population migrated to northern parts of America, while the remaining population dominated Eurasia. The population that lived in North America, seems to have evolved into red wolves.

Appearance and Physical Characteristics: To learn all about red wolves, one must first bear in mind that the red wolf is a close relative of all the other types of wolves and also an old friend of the dogs. Hence, most of its physical characteristics are similar though not congruent. The red wolf has a coat of short, reddish brown fur, a characteristic that gives it its name. The fur on the chest of the wolf, unlike the rest of the coat, displays a cream color and is more thick, as it acts as an insulation to prevent a heat escape during the harsh winters. The tail of this wolf is quite bushy and also has a distinct black color (a common trait among all the wolves). The red wolf also has relatively longer limbs and long ears.

Red Wolf Height: The average height of a grown wolf is about 26 inches, when measured from its shoulders to the ground.

Red Wolf Length: The length of an average red wolf is about 4.5 to 5.5 inches, from the tip of it tail to the tip of its nose.

Red Wolf Habitat: Many people wonder about the natural habitat of red wolf and where it lives, as the information on the red wolf, regarding its habitat, is less. It must be noted that the red wolf is native to North America. The current population of red wolves has grown very sparse and is found commonly in the southeastern parts of the United States. About 200 wolves have been bred in artificial habitats and recently,1.7 million acres of south Carolina has been declared as a red wolf habitat. This population once dominated the territory between Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas.

Red Wolf Behavior : The behavior of the red wolves is rather strange, as it is not only sly but is also the most cunning of mammals. The red wolves hunt by the day time and rest by the night. Sometimes, red wolves also exist in nuclear families. Red wolves easily communicate between themselves with the help of scents and sounds, like howling and growling. One of the fun facts about red wolves is that they can even communicate with each other by reading each others expressions.

Red Wolf Life Span: The average life span of a healthy red wolf ranges from 6 to 8 years in the wild and to about 15 years in captivity.

Diet and Appetite: The red wolf is basically a carnivorous animal and it thrives on small animals, like the rabbits and birds. Many a times the wolves hunting in a pack, also manage to bring down a whole deer.

The red wolf is a highly endangered species, with a very low population left today. Many organizations and government agencies are making efforts to preserve and also breed the populations of this beautiful creature.