A medium-sized canid intermediate between coyotes and gray wolves. Extinct in wild by 1980; rebuilt from captive stock. Down to ~20 wild individuals in NC.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The red wolf is a canine native to the southeastern United States. Its size is intermediate between the coyote and gray wolf.
Source: Wikipedia — Red wolf Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Medium wolf with reddish-brown coat (sometimes lighter); intermediate between gray wolf and coyote in size.
Similar species. Gray Wolf (larger). Coyote (smaller; lighter). Eastern Wolf (similar genetics).
Voice. Howls; barks.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. White-tailed Deer, raccoons, rodents.
Behavior. Federally endangered. Captive bred since 1980; wild population in eastern North Carolina has fluctuated. Hybridization with coyotes complicates management.
§ Range
Eastern US (formerly); now NC reintroduction site
§ Habitat
Mixed forests, wetlands, agricultural edges
§ Threats
Coyote hybridization, illegal killing, vehicle strikes.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the red wolf is currently classified as Critically Endangered.
§ What helps
Support red wolf recovery. Don't shoot canids in red wolf habitat. Donate to USFWS recovery.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Red wolf
- www.fws.gov — authoritative profile of Canis rufus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 3747
- iNaturalist · taxon 42048
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Canis rufus
§ Sources cited
- USFWS Red Wolf Recovery
- IUCN Red List 2018
