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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:16:14 GMT -5
Tundra WolfInformation from Wikipedia- The Tundra Wolf (Canis lupus albus) is a subspecies of Grey Wolf that can be found throughout northern Europe and Asia, primarily in the northern arctic and boreal regions of Russia. Although they were eliminated from some of the Arctic islands north of Siberia, they have been recently seen on Wrangle Island. - Physical features- Consistent with Bergmann's Rule, tundra wolves are among the largest of grey wolf subspecies. They can attain a body length of 7 feet and usually an average weight of 100-125 pounds, though there are some unconfirmed reports of animals reaching weights of 220 pounds. - Most tundra wolves have a grey color, with mixes of black, rust and silver gray. - Due to the high latitude of their environment (71 degrees), they breed much later in the year than most other wolves, usually in late March through April.
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:17:33 GMT -5
Iberian Wolf
Information from Wikipedia
- The Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus), known locally as Lobo is a subspecies of Gray Wolf that inhabited the forest and plains of North Portugal and North-Western Spain.
- Features and Adaptations
- The Iberian wolf differs from the more common Eurasian Wolf with its thinner build, the white marks on the upper lips, the dark marks on the tail and a pair of dark marks in its front legs that give it its subspecies name, signatus ("marked"). The subspecies differentiation may have developed at the end of the Pleistocene Ice Ages due to the isolation of the Iberian Peninsula when glacier barriers grew in the Pyrenees and eventually reached the Gulf of Biscay in the West and the Mediterranean in the East.
- Males can weigh up to 88 lbs, with females usually weighing 22 lbs less.
- Diet
- The Iberian Wolf lives in small packs is considered to be beneficial in keeping the numbers of boar stable, thus allowing some respite for the endangered Capercaillie populations which suffer greatly from boar predation. It will also eat, rabbits, Roe Deer, Red Deer and even small carnivores and fish. In some places it eats calves and other domestic animals.
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:18:47 GMT -5
Andean WolfInformation from Wikipedia- The Andean Wolf, or Hagenbeck wolf (Dasycyon hagenbecki) is a mysterious canid from the Andes. In 1927 Lorenz Hagenbeck obtained a pelt from a dealer in Buenos Aires, and was told that it came from the Andes. Dr. Ingo Krumbiegel researched this skin in Germany in 1940, and said that it belonged to a new and still indescribable species from the high peaks of the Andes. - Upon learning in 1947 that when Hagenbeck had bought the pelt there had been three others just like it, Krumbiegel connected it with a skull he had discovered about ten years earlier that was 31 centimeters long and had belonged to an omnivorous canid. The size precluded it from belonging to a Maned wolf, since Maned wolf skulls are smaller (about 24 cm). He published a description of the animal and gave it its scientific name. - In 1960, scientists discovered that the fur had belonged to a domestic dog (possibly that of a shepherd), not to a wild dog from the Andes. DNA research confirmed this in 1995. The skull had allegedly been lost in 1945, during World War II, and could not be proven a hoax
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:20:17 GMT -5
Eastern Canadian WolfInformation from Wikipedia- The Eastern Canadian Wolf, (Canis lycaon), is a potentially new wolf species in North America. Many names were proposed, including the Eastern Wolf, Eastern Gray Wolf, and Algonquin Wolf, although Eastern Canadian Wolf has appeared to gain the most recognition. - Physical Attributes- The Eastern Canadian Wolf is smaller than the Gray Wolf. It has a pale greyish-brown pelt. The back and the sides are covered with long, black hairs. Behind the ears, there is a slight reddish colour. These differences in attributes are thought to be a result of their Red Wolf ancestry. The Algonquin wolf is also skinnier than the Grey Wolf and displays a coyote-like appearance. This is because wolves and coyotes often mate and breed hybrid wolf/coyote pups in the park. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society states: "Hybridization with coyotes has historically been a precursor to the decline of Eastern wolf populations. The Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has identified hybridization with coyotes as one of the major threats facing the Eastern wolf, and hybridization continues to pose a serious challenge to red wolf recovery efforts in North Carolina." Because the two animals looks so much alike, a ban on the hunting of Algonquin wolves and coyotes has been in place to make sure no accidental deaths occur. - Grey wolves will attack, kill or drive out coyotes if they find them, but recent studies by John and Mary Theberge suggest that Algonquin red wolf males mate and accept coyote females. John Theberge states that, because coyotes are smaller than wolves, that female wolves would be less likely to accept a smaller mate.
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:21:18 GMT -5
Himalayan WolfInformation from Wikipedia- Himalayan Wolf (Canis himalayensis) is described as a new species of wolf native a small region in northern India (Jammu and Kashmir and then Himachal Pradesh) and eastern Nepal in the Himalayas. DNA research confirms that this wolf represents an (together with Canis indica) ancient isolated line of wolves in India. The Himalayan wolf only has a small population of 350 animals, and 21 specimens live in zoos throughout India.
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:22:56 GMT -5
Indian WolfInformation from Wikipedia- The Indian Wolf (Canis indica), also known as the Asiatic wolf, is a mammal of the order carnivora which ranges from India to the Middle East. Originally thought to be a subspecies of the Grey Wolf, the Indian Wolf has been recorded as having stolen children in India and suffers persecution for it. The Indian Wolf figures prominently in the animal stories written by Rudyard Kipling. - Appearance and Adaptations- The Indian Wolf has a very short, dense coat that is typically reddish, tawny, or buff coloured. It reaches 24-37 inches in height, and typically weighs 40-60 lbs, making it smaller than the Gray Wolf. Breeding generally occurs in October, after the rains – early compared to the Grey Wolf. - The Indian Wolf is adapted for life in the semi-arid and hot areas that they typically inhabit. Its relatively small size allows it to survive on the smaller ungulates, rabbits, hares, and rodents that roam its territory. The Indian Wolf is a prime example of the canid's adaptability as a species, given that its cousins can be found in areas starkly contrasted to the scrubland, grassland, and semi-arid pastoral environments that the Indian Wolf thrives in. - Though the Indian Wolf and the Indian Wild Dog have been portrayed as mortal enemies by author Rudyard Kipling in Red Dog, studies have shown that there is very little competition between the two species where they share common ground. The fact that the wolf inhabits open spaces and feeds primarily on rodents as a contrast to the dog's habit of living in dense forests and hunting medium sized ungulates is enough to ensure peaceful coexistence. - There are some allegations that they differ from the Grey Wolf by rarely howling.
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:24:32 GMT -5
Hokkaido WolfInformation from Wikipedia- The Hokkaido Wolf (Canis lupus hattai (蝦夷狼, Ezo-ōkami), also known as the Ezo Wolf, is one of the two extinct subspecies of the Gray Wolf that have been called the Japanese Wolf. The other is the Honshū Wolf. - This endemic wolf of Japan occupied the island of Hokkaidō. The Hokkaido Wolf was larger than the Honshū Wolf, more closely approaching the size of a regular Gray Wolf. - The Hokkaido Wolf became extinct during the Meiji restoration period. The wolf was deemed a threat to ranching (which the Meiji government promoted at the time) and targeted via a bounty system and a direct chemical extermination campaign. Hokkaido experienced significant development during this period and the Hokkaido Wolf also suffered from resulting environmental disruption. - The wolf was afforded a benign, rather than malignant, place in Japanese mythology and religion: the clan leader Fujiwara no Hidehira was said to have been raised by wolves, and the wolf is often symbolically linked with mountain kami in Shinto (the most famous example being the wolf kami of Mitsumine Shrine in the town of Chichibu in Saitama Prefecture) on Honshū island. - Sightings of the Hokkaido Wolf have been claimed from the time of its extinction to the present day, but none of these have been verified
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:26:42 GMT -5
Honshu WolfInformation from Wikipedia- The term "Japanese Wolf" (狼 or オオカミ, Ōkami) refers to two extinct subspecies of the Gray Wolf. The subspecies that the name 'Japanese Wolf' usually describes is the Honshū Wolf (Canis lupus hodophilax (日本狼 or ニホンオオカミ, Nihon Ōkami), which occupied the islands of Honshū, Shikoku, and Kyūshū in Japan. The other is the Hokkaido Wolf. The Honshū Wolf is thought to have become extinct due to a combination of rabies, which was first reported in Kyūshū and Shikoku in 1732, and human eradication. The last known specimen died in 1905, in Nara Prefecture. - Some interpretations of the Honshū Wolf's extinction stress the change in local perceptions of the animal: rabies-induced aggression and deforestation of the wolf's habitat forced them into conflict with humans, and this led to them being targeted by farmers - There are currently eight known pelts and five stuffed specimens of the Japanese Wolf in existence. One stuffed specimen is in the Netherlands, three are in Japan, and the animal caught in 1905 is kept in the British Museum. Owing to its small size (the Honshū Wolf is the smallest known variety of wolf, probably due to allopatric speciation / island dwarfing) the Honshū Wolf's classification as a subspecies of the grey wolf is disputed. - The wolf was afforded a benign, rather than malignant, place in Japanese folklore and religious traditions: the clan leader Fujiwara no Hidehira was said to have been raised by wolves, and the wolf is often symbolically linked with mountain kami in Shinto (the most famous example being the wolf kami of Mitsumine Shrine in the town of Chichibu in Saitama Prefecture). - Sightings of the Japanese Wolf have been claimed from the time of its extinction to the present day, but none of these have been verified
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:28:10 GMT -5
Newfoundland WolfInformation from Wikipedia- The Newfoundland wolf (Canis lupus beothucus) was a sub-species of the grey wolf, Canis lupus, which existed on the island of Newfoundland off the east coast of Canada. This now-extinct wolf was said to have been a large, white animal with a black stripe down its spine. - Recently, coyotes, (Canis latrans) or eastern coyotes from mainland Canada have filled the niche formerly occupied by the Newfoundland wolf. - European settlers were quick to view the wolf as a cattle killer, and so set out to destroy the island population by setting a bounty on the animal. On September 14, 1839, the colonial government proclaimed a wolf bounty of five pounds. Hunting, trapping and vigorous predator control methods quickly reduced the wolf population on the island. This, combined with a reported caribou population decline, seem the most likely causes of the wolf's demise. By 1911 the last wild wolf was shot, although the official extinction is dated 1930 - The subspecies was not formally described until after its extinction. Appropriately, its scientific name means "Beothuk Wolf" - after the Native American inhabitants of Newfoundland (the Beothuk) who are likewise extinct.
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:29:26 GMT -5
Dire WolfInformation from Wolves of the WorldSee also: Wikipedia- The dire wolf became extinct somewhere between 4,000 and 16,000 years ago. This is thought to be partially because of its inability to compete with the faster, more intelligent gray wolf. It is the largest canid known to ever exist. And though it was similar in many ways to the gray wolf, the dire wolf was heavier built, more robust, with shorter and more powerful legs, and a larger head. Being a heavier animal with shorter legs, the dire wolf would have been slower and less adept at catching prey than the gray wolf. It is, therefore, believed that the dire wolf was more of a scavenger than predator. It would, however, hunt when the opportunity was there. Its teeth were more massive and strong, allowing it to easily consume carcasses. Although its head was larger, the brain case was smaller. A scavenger does not need to outsmart its prey. Also, being larger in size, it would have had less competition. - A fossilized bone was discovered near the Ohio River in Indiana in 1854. However, it wasn't until years later it was determined that this fossil was of an unknown wolf species. It was named Canis Dirus, the Dire Wolf. Thousands of canis dirus fossils have been recovered from the La Brea tar pits in Los Angeles, California where water would be left floating on top of the tar after it rained. When attempting to drink from the pools of water, animals often became trapped in the tar below. The dire wolf and other predators, attempting to feed on the trapped animals, would often become trapped in the tar themselves. Dire Wolf fossils have been found in North, Central, and South America. Their exact range, however, is unknown.
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:30:53 GMT -5
Banks Island Tundra Wolf- There is unfortunately not much information provided on the Banks Island Tundra Wolf. The only information I was able to fine is the following: - Banks Island in the Northwest Territories. It is a large and rangy looking animal. Its color was mostly white with black-tipped hairs along the mid of the back. (Lioncrusher's Domain)- Limited to Banks and Victoria Islands in the arctic, described as white and black-tiped hair along the spinal ridge; not recognized as a subspecies until 1943; extinct sometime between 1918 and 1952. (Petandwildlife.com)- Status: Endangered-only found in the Northwest regions of Banks Island. - Description: Very thick mostly white coat with black hair along the middle of the back. Large and lanky about 6 feet long, 4 feet tall, 60-110 pounds. (Wolf Biology and Ecology).
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:33:22 GMT -5
British Columbian Wolf- Wolves are found in small numbers throughout BC as they hunt in packs. They live ina cooperative society. The survival of the wolf depends on communication and tteamwork, hence the family pack and the howling. The wolf pack hunts together and will bring food back for a mother and her cubs. The wolf pack will babysite for the mother and are all very affectionate and protective of the pups in the pack. - The wolves will hunt deer and moose and prefer to hunt when they are on the run working together. If the animal stands it ground the wolf pack will usually not even bother with the attack. Too much work in their opinion. It is the animal that becomes tired after a chase and wounded, that the wolves prefer. The wolves tend to prey on sick and old as they are easier to catch. - The wolves howl as a means of communication and to express good spirits. The wolf will usually answer to a human howl, which is truly a Canadian experience. (BC Wildlife)- Diet and Habitat UseWolves are carnivores, preying mainly on adult ungulates, ungulate calves and fawns, and beaver (Scott and Shackleton 1980, Peterson et al. 1984, Hatter 1988, Hayes et al. 1991). To a lesser extent, they will also eat hares, small rodents such as mice and voles, and occasionally birds. Habitat utilization is primarily influenced by availability of prey species and physiography (Fritts and Mech 1981, Ballard et al. 1987). In summer a pack's affinity for a particular denning area also influences habitat use. Dens can be excavated in banks or shallow hillsides, or can be among the roots of large trees, in hollow logs, or in rock crevices. Maternity dens are often used by the same pack year after year, and summer homesites where pups are raised are usually within a few kilometres from the den. Thereafter, pup activities center around a succession of homesites, progressively farther from the den as mother and pups eventually rendezvous with the pack (Van Ballenberghe et al. 1975, Peterson 1977, Peterson et al. 1984, Ballard et al. 1987). In winter, wolves tend to be found in areas associated with ungulate winter ranges (Fritts and Mech 1981), and often use frozen waterways as travel corridors where snow accumulation can be less. Intensity of use patterns within territories is greatly influenced by physiography. Areas such as treeless marshes or homogeneous coniferous cover tend to be used less by wolves (Fritts and Mech 1981). Wolves routinely patrol their territories, scent-marking the peripheries by urinating and defecating (Peters and Mech 1975). Extraterritorial movements and dispersal by pack members can occur throughout the year, but are common in February and early March (coinciding with the breeding season), and during the summer (coinciding with whelping). (Wolf Song of Alaska)- British Colombian Wolf: - Scientific name: Canis lupus columbianus- Status: Endangered-found only in British Columbia, Canada. - Description: One of the largest wolves, they can weigh between 80-140 pounds. Usually they are either gray or black with the black ones being the bigger of the 2. ( Wolf Biolgy and Ecology)
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:34:50 GMT -5
Cascade Mountains Wolf- The Cascade mountains. This subspecies was eliminated from most of its range. A medium to large-sized wolf. Most were a cinnamon or buffy colour. A few individuals from southern British Columbia may still exist. (The Wolf Homepage)- - Cascade Mountains Wolf: - Scientific name: Canis lupus fuscus- Nickname: The Brown Wolf - Status: It is not known if any remain. - Description: Cinnamon brown coat, 4-5 feet long, 3 feet high, 80-90 pounds. (Wolf Biology and Ecology)- - Once known as the "brown wolf" because of its cinnamon or buffy color. It is a medium sized animal, weighing about 80 to 90 pounds. It is not known if any of these animals still survive. (Lioncrusher's Domain)
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:35:44 GMT -5
Vancouver Island WolfInformation from Wikipedia- The Vancouver Island Wolf (Canis lupus crassodon) is a subspecies of the grey wolf. They are very social and live in packs of about 5 to 35. They are now an endangered subspecies, and very shy. They are rarely seen.Wolves at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve area have been known to attack and kill loose dogs. There are also 4 Vancouver Island Wolves, 3 white and 1 gray (seen from the bus window) at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. - The Vancouver Island Wolf is medium-sized. They are grayish-black to white in color. - The Vancouver Island Wolf's main food sources are the Columbian black-tailed deer and the Roosevelt elk.
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Post by Lefitte on Jan 11, 2012 7:36:32 GMT -5
Eurasian Tundra WolfFrom Wolflover's Group- In the Soviet Union, the fluctuation of wolf populations is clearly linked to the fluctuation of human chaos, even in the remote, northern climate that Eurasian Tundra Wolves (sometimes called Russian Tundra Wolves) inhabit. Currently, wolf populations are increasing, taking advantage of the social and economic changes. Fuel for helicopters is too expensive, greatly reducing the number of aerial hunters. Poison production has been halted. In the past, Eurasian Tundra Wolves have been vulnerable to aerial hunters due to their northern open tundra landscape. In earlier years, helicopter hunting drove some of the wolves into the taiga forested region, where they interbred with a southern subspecies, Canis lupus lupus, or simply, the Eurasian Wolf. - The Eurasian Tundra Wolf lives along the fringes of land adjacent to the Arctic Ocean above sixty-five degrees latitude. Unlike Arctic Wolves, these wolves are not white or cream colored, but have more traditional gray color combinations with shades of silver blue. Adult Eurasian Tundra Wolves are large, weighing seventy-five to one hundred and forty-five pounds. They are between twenty-eight and thirty-eight inches tall. - Although Eurasian Tundras have been eliminated from some of the Arctic Islands, such as Wrangel Island north of Siberia, they roam widely in small numbers throughout much of the wide open Eurasian Arctic. This occurs mainly as a result of the scarce prey base, typical of northern climates. According to researchers, there are approximately one to ten wolves per six hundred and twenty square miles. Russia is home to about two thirds of the reindeer (caribou) population in the world, both domestic and wild, and the reindeer, along with Caspian Seals and Arctic Hare, provide a steady source of food for the wolves. - The Eurasian Tundra Wolf population is listed as fully viable, despite its only inhabiting from fifty to seventy-five per cent of its former range. In much of the region, however, wolves are regarded as pests. In addition, oil exploration has increased without any regard for environment. This could have a devastating effect on wildlife, including Eurasian Tundra Wolves.
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