No other animal says northern wilderness like the gray wolf. The distant piercing howl of a wolf pack can send shivers up the spine of almost every vertebrate, including humans. In appearance and behavior wolves remind us of man’s best friend, the dog, as they should; dogs are descendants of wolves. However, in the wild, wolves are a far cry from the domestic dog. Wolves are surrounded by myths and legends, most of them dark, forbidding -- scary. Whether their frightening reputation fits the facts...that’s been a subject of controversy, probably since the dawn of human time.

The gray wolf (also, Timberwolf) canis lupus. In the west, the northern sub-species was canis lupus irremotus -- the Rocky Mountain Wolf. Other wolves in North America include the lobo, or Mexican wolf, canis lupus baileyi, Great Plains Wolf, canis lupus nubilus, and Eastern Timberwolf, canis lupus lycoan. Some maintain that the wolf re-introduced in Yellowstone is the larger Alaskan sub-species, the MacKenzie Wolf, canis lupus occidentalis. The taxonomy (naming of species and sub-species) and cladistics (classification of organisms) of wolves is an area of public confusion and scientific debate, which is now being sorted out by DNA comparisons.

In general, the height of wolves varies from 26–38 inches (6 to 9.5 centimeters) at the shoulder and weight ranges from 70–135 pounds (32 to 62 kg), which together make the gray wolf the largest of all wild canids. (Some species of canids, mostly human bred dogs like English Mastiffs and Saint Bernards, are larger.)

Dogs are the genetic descendants of wolves, both belonging to the canid family. In general wolves are larger than most domestic dogs, have a fuller face and snout, and a bushier tail. Wolves and dogs share most basic behavior, although human bred and trained species of dogs can behave in ways unknown to wild wolves.

Intelligence: The wolf is one of the most adaptable and intelligent of predators, and has shown the ability to survive in a very wide range of habitat: desert, sub-arctic, alpine, prairie (steppe), and temperate forest. The cleverness of wolves is legendary, as they have shown a sophisticated ability to solve problems, communicate, and anticipate situations.

Mobility: In daily life, especially as a hunter, the wolf is an indefatigable traveler. Built for both long-distance endurance and short sprinting, the powerful legs and body musculature make it possible for wolves to cover several miles at a pace of 6 mph (10 km/h) and produce burst speeds up to 40 mph (65 km/h). Wolf packs can range hundreds of miles patrolling and exploring their territory. Pursuing large prey may also cover many miles and particularly in winter can be exhausting.