Red Wolf Basics
Red wolves are a species of critically-endangered canid that is indigenous to to the eastern and southeastern regions of the North American continent. While they are similar to other types of canids, they are perhaps some of the least well-known of all North American predators. In order to help these special animals survive in the long term, it is extremely important to know as much information about them as possible.
Wolf Header Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Wolf Header Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
DID YOU KNOW:
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The scientific name for red wolves is Canis rufus. See below for a more in-depth explanation of red wolf classification.
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LIFE SPAN
Red wolves can live up to seven years in the wild, or up to 15 years in captivity. CURRENT WILD LOCATION
The only location with a population of wild red wolves is in and around the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge on the Albemarle Peninsula in northeastern North Carolina, United States of America. |
CONSERVATION STATUS
- Endangered-Experimental / Non-Essential (in red wolf recovery region) - Endangered (elsewhere-if found) (Endangered Species Act classification) -Critically-Endangered (International Union for Conservation of Nature classification) BREEDING SEASON
Second half of January to end of February. Red wolves have an average of five pups per litter with a gestation period of about two months. |
TAXONOMIC DESIGNATION
(In order of increasing specificity) Domain: Eukarya Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canis Species: Rufus View in ITIS |
RED WOLF RUNDOWN
For further insight into red wolf basics, check out this short video about red wolves and red wolf conservation efforts!
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For more information, see the pages listed underneath the "Red Wolf Basics" tab.
Information sourced from the Red Wolf Coaliton and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
