Wolves once ranged over almost all of North America north of Mexico City, except possibly parts of California. Extirpation of gray and red wolf populations began shortly after European settlement. In the United States the range, population and legal status of wolves varies by state and region. Range lines are not depicted. Main prey for wolves there are moose, deer, beaver, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats.
Species Information
Species 1
Common Names: gray wolf, haqihana (Arapaho), tasha (Caddo), maicoh (Navajo), lobo (Spanish)
Latin Name:
Canis lupus
Species 2 Common Name: red wolf
Latin Name:
Canis rufus
Gray Wolf Subspecies 1
Common Name: arctic wolf
Latin Name:
Canis lupus arctos
Gray Wolf Subspecies 2
Common Names: Mexican wolf
Latin Name:
Canis lupus baileyi
Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of gray wolves: Alaska, 8,000-11,000; 48 contiguous states, 5,500
Number of red wolves: 100
Population trend: Increasing
Legal status: Federal protection with some exceptions in most areas, state managed in Alaska
Human Relationships
Attitudes & Issues
Current Information on public attitudes and controversial issues in the United States.
History
Information related to the history of wolves in the United States.
Recovery & Management
Information related to legal status, regulations, and managment plans and practices in the United States.
Depredation
Information related to depredation issues, compensation, and prevention in the United States.
Wolf-Human Interactions
Information related to human safety, hunting competition with humans,
ecotourism, and tips for coexisting with wolves in the United States.
Related Links & Information
Information or links to other groups or agencies in the United States related to the relationship between humans and wolves.
Ecology
Biology
Descriptions of subspecies present: physiology and unique
characteristics as well as information related to distribution of
wolves in the United States.
Related Links & Information
Information or links to other groups or agencies in the United States related to wolf ecology.
