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Wolf

Of Fear and Wonder: Looking very much like domestic dogs, wolves inspire fear and wonder. Look at the large breed domestic dogs to get a sense of the body configuration of the wolf — muscular, deep-chested bodies covered with fur, a long muzzle and large ears. They range in color according to species, but a consistent characteristic is the wolf's long, sharp canine teeth, excellent for stabbing prey.

The Iconic Gray: The most iconic wolf species is the gray wolf. Its mournful howl pierces the silent night as a way to make its presence known and to defend territory. The gray wolf is one of the largest members of the canid family.

The Reintroduced Red: The red wolf was believed to be extinct since the 1970s. A few remaining individuals were reintroduced into the wild and have established a slim population of 50 wolves.

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VIDEO: Call of the Wild

VIDEO: Wolves Fight a Grizzly Bear

QUIZ: Canis Lupus Quiz

INTERACTIVE: Anatomy of a Gray Wolf

SPECIES: Meet the Red Wolf

TOP 10: Top 10 Animal Loudmouth

DID YOU KNOW?

The Howling Wolf: Wolves howl to declare territory, call pack members to a specific location or strengthen social bonds. Small packs tend to howl less than large packs, so as to draw less attention to themselves.

The Frightened Wolf: A frightened wolf will try to make itself look small and inconspicuous by flattening its ears against its head and tucking its tail between its legs.

Ancestor of the Dog: It's generally accepted that the domestic dog evolved from the gray wolf. All domestic dogs came from Old World gray wolves; North American gray wolves were never domesticated.

Awesome Jaws: A wolf's jaw can exert 1,500 pounds of pressure per square inch — that's twice as strong as a German shepherd.