Species Guide: Eurasian Wolf (Canis lupus lupus)
Family: Canidae
The Eurasian Wolf is also known as a European Wolf, Common Wolf, Steppes Wolf, Chinese Wolf, and Tibetan Wolf. It’s a subspecies of the Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) found across Canada and the northern USA. The Eurasian subspecies was isolated over thousands of years due to human persecution and habitat reduction.
APPEARANCE
The Eurasian Wolf is a bit of a chameleon in that its coat coloring adapts to its environment. Wolf populations have colors ranging from cream, tawny, white, red, grey, and black. The most common coloring, however, is greyish brown, with darker shading on their backs and black patches on their shoulders. Their winter coats are slightly lighter overall. Their overall appearance is that of a German Shepherd dog but with longer legs.
Diet
Eurasian Wolves are apex predators targeting wild game such as roe deer, red deer, as well as wild goats. Opportunistically they will also target rabbits, beavers, and small rodents. They will also target livestock if they are left unprotected; hence they have conflicted with mankind over many centuries.
HABITAT
Eurasian Wolves are shy creatures and prefer habitats in sparse woodland environments, mountains, and remote grasslands.
Note that this map is for a rough illustration of animal distribution across Europe, whereby light green indicates established populations.
Behavior
Eurasian Wolves are pack animals, the dominant male and female will keep their tails raised, whereas the others in the pack will keep them lowered. A pack is typically made up of family groups, though they can form larger packs.
Wolves live in dens, which they excavate in sandy terrain, under tree roots, or using natural cavities in rocks. A pack of wolves often have several dens which they periodically use within their territory.
Wolf Call:
Martinez Nicolas, xeno-canto.org
Only the dominant male and female in a pack are permitted to mate. The dominant pair use physical intimidation to show their prowess. The Eurasian Wolf comes into sexual maturity when they are 2 years old. After mating, there is a 7-week gestation period. On average they have 6 pups per litter, which are dependent on their mother’s milk for the first 8 weeks. The father and the other pack members are responsible for bringing food back to pups until they are fully grown.
Biometrics
| Body Length | 100-145 cm |
| Tail Length | 50 cm |
| Body Weight | 30-45 Kg |
| Longevity | 6-8 Years |
NATURAL PREDATORS
They have no natural predators.
Conservation Status
The Eurasian Wolf has suffered for centuries due to human persecution, leading to extinction in many European countries by the 17th Century. Protection and re-introduction programs have since increased the population resulting in expansion into some of their previous ranges.
Re-introduction schemes have required public education programs, as the wolf has been subject to many incorrect myths and legends. For instance, Wolves are shy of humans, and wolf attacks are extremely rare indeed. There are significantly more human deaths as a result of cattle incidents than there are with wolves. Further, proper land management and protection of livestock significantly reduce the risk of livestock losses due to wolf predation.
Global
Conservation Status
Benefits/Defecits of Re-Introduction
The benefits of apex predator re-introduction are illustrated very well in the successful programs conducted in the USA to re-introduce Wolves into Yellowstone. Wolves reduced ruminant populations such as the elk which were over-grazing. This enabled trees to grow, thereby increasing native populations such as beavers and birds to flourish. Analogies from this can be made for instance in Scotland, which is currently one of the most habitat and nature-depleted countries in Europe; partially due to overgrazing by increasing numbers of native and non-native wild deer. Conversely, the impact on humans needs to be considered. Introduction programs require significant changes to livestock husbandry, therefore consultation with farmers is a necessity.
REFERENCES
- Wilmers, C. C., and O. J. Schmitz. 2016. Effects of gray wolf- induced trophic cascades on ecosystem carbon cycling. Ecosphere 7(10):e01501. 10.1002/ecs2.1501. [Accessed 08/04/2025]
- Wolves : Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation, edited by L. David Mech, and Luigi Boitani, University of Chicago Press, 2003. ProQuest Ebook Central. [Accessed 09/04/2025]
- Olsen, Lars-Henrik. Tracks and Signs of the Animals and Birds of Britain and Europe, Princeton University Press, 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central. [Accessed 09/04/2025]
- Reintroduction of Top-Order Predators, edited by Matt W. Hayward, and Michael Somers, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2009. ProQuest Ebook Central. [Accessed 09/04/2025]
