red wolf
             gray wolf

.about the wolf

Wolves: originally portrayed and thought of as bloodthirsty criminals, they are now regarded more as regal creatures of beauty, mystery and power. They are also closely associated with Native Americans, whom with they share a common trait: seriously ripped off by white folks. Here's some general information on wolves (unspecific to species. For narrow information about one of the wolf species, scroll to the bottom of the el pago.):

Wolves are endangered, and now only a small concentration dwells in northern states and provinces, though they use to range all across North America. As most people are aware of, wolves dwell in family groups that can have up to 30 members, although most wolf packs have under 10. The highest ranking pair is the Alpha pair, consisting of the alpha male and female. Contrary to popular belief, the alpha female is usually the only female in the pack that will give birth at any time, though the pack does have several other females. If there is a lot of prey and food is in high abundance, sometimes more than one female will give birth in a pack. Wolves mate between March and April, and the only time wolves use dens are when the female is going to give birth. The den usually consists of a large hole -- a narrow passage way leading to a cave that the cubs will be born in. The alpha female digs the den herself. The beta wolf, or "second in command" ranks next in the hierarchy. The alpha pair are not always the biggest wolves, either -- they simply may be the fiercest, most intimidating, or even most intelligent. The lowest ranking member of the hierarchy is the omega-- sometimes a grown cub from a last year's litter, the omega is bullied by most of the other wolves. 

When the wolf cubs are born, they're blind for several days before their eyes finally open. The entire pack cares for the newborn cubs, and the other female wolves will take care of them as though they were their own litter. The cubs themselves will often establish a hierarchy within themselves. 

Though the sound of a wolf's howl is regarded as an eerie, Halloweenish sound, it is actually very useful within wolf society. Every single wolf has a different sounding howl--some are high-pitched, some are low-pitched, but all of them have some defining characteristic...in the same way that no two zebras have the exact same stripe pattern. The wolves use their howling as communication, especially on the hunt, but sometimes just for fun. The howl of a wolf can be heard from up to 7 miles away. Speaking of the hunt, wolves are frighteningly calculated hunters-- perhaps in part what has earned them the reputation of being bloodthirsty. Untrue, of course, because grey wolves prey primarily only on wild animals with hooves, such as bison, deer, and moose. Red wolves prey on smaller animals, like rodents, rabbits, raccoons, etc. While hunting, wolves can sustain running speeds of 5-7 mph over staggeringly long distances, sometimes quite a few miles. At the fastest, a wolf can hit speeds up to 25 mph. A tactic of the wolf is to basically chase their prey until it can't run any more. A statistic says that wolves spend approximately one third of their life traveling. 

Wolves, particularly those that dwell in cold climates, grow thick coats to protect them from the arctic winds. The thick fur closest to the wolves' bodies is known as underfur. The overcoat is the fur that grows over the underfur, and is usually longer and finer. Its primary function is to keep the underfur dry and warm. 

There are two distinct different species of wolves: the Grey Wolf and the Red Wolf. Within the canine family there is also a species known as the Maned Wolf, but despite its name is actually more closely related to foxes. In appearance, it is reddish colored with a black trim of fur heading down the back of its neck (hence the title "maned" wolf). Perhaps one of its most defining characteristics are its excessively long legs, which with it can sustain high running speeds. The Ethiopian wolf is also a fourth distinct species, but it is actually more closely related to jackals. The Ethiopian wolf (also known as the Ethiopian jackal) is by far the rarest canine, with fewer than 400 individuals remaining today. It lives much like a grey wolf, in intricate family groups. To check out information about conserving these little rare cuties, go here: Check it out. Sad how humans have nearly destroyed yet another entire species.