Red Wolves

Red wolves comprise a critically endangered species of wolf found in North America. They used to inhabit the southeast of the United States and a small part of Canada, from the East Coast to the Gulf Coast and up to land below the Saint Lawrence River. After being deemed extinct in the wild in the 1980s, red wolves were reintroduced to the wild in northeastern North Carolina. Red wolves have also been released onto coastal islands of Mississippi, North Carolina, and Florida to promote reproduction.

Red wolves measure about 26-31 inches in height and 44-65 inches in length, including their tails, which measure 12-17 inches in length. They weigh 54 pounds on average, though they may weigh anywhere between 35 and 90 pounds. Red wolves have long, coarse, reddish brown fur with black ticking along their backs and a thick coat of cream-colored fur on each of their chests that serves to insulate heat. Their tails are often black in color.

Red wolves are diurnal, meaning they hunt by day and rest at night. They hunt either alone or in small packs. Red wolves, prior to becoming extinct in the wild, fed on small animals like coypus, rabbits, and various rodents. Since the effort to repopulate began, red wolves have subsisted on deer, raccoons, coypus, and rabbits. Red wolves are apex predators, and therefore have no natural predators. However, interspecific competition may occur between red wolves and coyotes, bobcats, and even American black bears.

Red wolves live in family units within defined territories. Each pack consists of a dominant mating pair, which, normally remains together for life, and their offspring. Within each pack exists a complex power structure of dominant and subordinate wolves, which facilitates the pack's ability to function as a unit. The boundaries of red wolves' territories are marked by scent, which is intended to prevent other wolf packs from encroaching on their territory. Red wolves communicate through scent markings, noises, posture, and facial expressions.

Red wolves typically become sexually mature by the time they are two years old. They mate late in the winter. The gestation period of female red wolves is 60-68 days, after which a female will give birth to a litter of two to eight pups. The average litter size is five pups. The alpha male and female's offspring may live in the territory into which they were born until they become sexually mature. On average, red wolves live for six to seven years in the wild, and up to 18 years in captivity.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net