Where does the grey wolf live?
The grey wolf lives across Eurasia and North America. Its habitat use depends on prey abundance, snow conditions, livestock density, roads and human presence. It was long persecuted by humans because of livestock predation and fear of attacks on people: its range has fallen to about one-third of its historic extent. It has vanished from much of Western Europe, the United States and Mexico, and completely from the British Isles and Japan.
What does the grey wolf eat?
The wolf is the most specialised member of the genus Canis for cooperative hunting: its body is adapted for tackling large prey, and it lives in packs with very expressive behaviour, including howling. Its heavy teeth are made for crushing bone. Its fairly long legs let it move swiftly and cross the deep snow of winter. Young wolves may leave the pack to form their own on reaching sexual maturity, or when food runs short.
Is the grey wolf endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern, because the species is widespread. More than thirty wild subspecies are recognised. The dog is its domestic descendant, from a lineage at least 33,000 years old.
