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
Potential species designation under debate by the scientific community:
Common Name: eastern wolf, timber wolf
Latin Name:
Canis lycaon
Location: C. lupus and the potential C. lycaon
are indistinguishable from each other physically, behaviorally and
ecologically. The only way to tell the difference between them is a
genetic test and comparison. Both inhabit the Western Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Gray Wolf Region 1
Common Name: arctic wolf
Location: Canadian/Alaskan Arctic
Gray Wolf Region 2
Common Names: Mexican wolf, lobo
Location: Southwest United States
Gray Wolf Region 3
Common Names: great plains wolf, timber wolf
Location: Western Great Lakes Area of United States and Canada
Gray Wolf Region 4
Common Names: northwestern wolf, rocky mountain wolf
Location: Northern Rocky Mountains of United States and Canada
Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of gray wolves: Alaska, 8,000-11,000; 48 contiguous states, 5,500
Number of red wolves: 130
Population trend: Increasing
Legal status: A mixture of Federal protection with some exceptions and state management
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 species 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.
