Gray Wolf

Meet the Gray Wolf

A large, social canid with a broad ecological range. The scientific name used in this profile is Canis lupus.

Range and habitat

Parts of North America and Eurasia. Typical settings include forests, tundra, grasslands and other suitable landscapes. Presence is not uniform throughout a named region; historical range and current distribution may differ.

Observe the ecology

Look at the relationship between food, cover, movement and human land use. A canid's social system and daily activity depend on species and local conditions. A zoo photograph cannot describe the entire natural range.

Conservation and coexistence

Habitat connectivity, prey availability and coexistence with people are central conservation questions.

Use specialist assessments for current population trends and threat categories. This page deliberately avoids treating a conservation category as permanent. Follow site-specific guidance when visiting protected areas.

Wildlife, not companion animals

Do not feed, approach or attempt to handle wild canids. Keep domestic dogs under appropriate control near wildlife, secure food waste and observe from a distance. Support habitat protection and qualified conservation organizations.

Read critically

Species names and boundaries may change with new evidence. Record the source and date when comparing references, and distinguish a species from a domestic breed, a regional population or a hybrid.