What is the Biggest Wolf in the World?
The largest species of wolf is the gray wolf, also known as the timber wolf. It is the typical wolf depicted in stories and legends. It is an animal that predates humans and has been in existence since the last ice age. It is a strong and adaptive species that can be found in various climates around the world, ranging from frigid arctic areas to arid deserts. Much of the land these wolves used to occupy has thinned out because of the destruction of the their environment and human involvement.
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Size
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The size of the gray wolf depends greatly on where its habitat is located. Wolves that live in parts of the world that lie on higher latitudes tend to be bigger than those that live closer to the equator. The height of the gray wolf varies between 26 to 38 inches from paw to shoulder. Lengthwise, it measures from 4.5 to 6.4 feet from head to tail. Female gray wolves are typically smaller that their male counterparts and have smaller heads with narrower snouts.
Identification
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Gray wolves are large canines that closely resemble the domestic dog. In fact, they are thought to be close relatives to that species. The fur is white to black, and usually falls in the gray ranges as its name suggests. Rarely is the hair one solid color. Instead there are usually patches or patterns of various shades throughout the fur. Gray wolves walk on all fours, have pointed ears, and have a strong and very muscular physique.
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Features
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The gray wolf has a body that is made to cover long distances in short amounts of time. They have narrow chests and powerful backs that are perfect for efficient and aerodynamic movements. Their paws are padded and large for efficient movement over rough terrain. They also feature webbing between each toe that allows them to move especially well over sandy or snowy surfaces. The coat of the gray wolf features two layers of fur, one that repels dirt and grime and another that insulates the wolf and is water-resistant. Like most canine species, the gray wolf also has a keen sense of smell and keen eyesight.
Geography
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The gray wolf thrives in a number of different geographical locations around the world. The many names this animal goes by actually refers to the habitat where the wolf lives. Towards the north, gray wolves are known as either tundra or arctic wolves. These are found in areas such as the Arctic Circle, northern Canada or the tundra areas of Russia. Timber wolves are found in forests around the world, especially in eastern forests of North America.
Misconceptions
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Some people have the misconception that the gray wolf is a violent, murderous animal. Yes, the gray wolf is a dangerous carnivore, but it does not attack humans in most situations. However, they have been found to be a menace to livestock and farms. For this reason, humans have hunted wolves to a point where they are at numbers far smaller than they have ever been, and are no longer found in some areas of the world.
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Resources
- Photo Credit wolf image by Melissa Schalke from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Hey your Hot.
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If I decide to live in wolf land then I will learn to adapt myself among them until they accept me as their most loyal friend, most people think that besides invading their territory they have the right to kill them under the concept that they are a threat to other rersidents when in reality you are a threat to them.
