Gray Wolf By: Chengseng Yang

Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Scientific Name: (Canis lupus) Common Name: Arctic Wolf

Commonalities to Phylum Share the same traits as a dog Largest members of the dog family Wolf shows the evolutionary advantage of their tail to see is which wolf is the stronger one. Symmetry: bilateral Body Cavity: coelomate Wolf are parasitic, but non-free living Terrestrial ( on land) Mostly carnivore Type of segmentation: show cephalization

Breeding/Lifecycle BREEDING lifecycle Average life span: 6 to 8 years Breeding season: Starts in January to April. Each mother wolf will have in a range of 2 to 10 pups. Pups are born blind and defend less. Pups will be mature in about 10 months. Sexual reproduction between Male and Female Average life span: 6 to 8 years Some can live for 15 years.

Habitat/Niche Habitat Niche/food habitat Gray wolves live in packs about 8 to 35 members. Leader of the pack=alpha Mostly live in the woods, forest, grassland, or deserts. Lives in Northern Hemisphere Meat eaters. It hunt for food, for survival. Hunt in packs From smaller animals, mice to larger animals caribou.

Interesting Behavior Communication: howling, body language, and scent Howls can be heard 120 miles away. Uses howling for contacting other packs. Body language: used for showing emotions and status of pack. Scent for predator and/or food.

Ecosystem Roles Affects Ecosystem Role: to hunt other animals to keep health and proper functioning of ecosystem. Negative impact: increased population, depredations in livestock Positive impact: help with the ecosystem

Interesting Physical Traits All gray wolf have grayness on the back and legs. 2-2.5 feet tall and about 4-5 feet long Male: average to 90 lbs Female: average to 80lbs It can run 35 mph Jump about: 12ft high Gray wolf are recognize as husky because they can be used as sled dogs. Greatest threat to wolves: people’s fear and misunderstanding of species Known as endangered animal Was on the Endangered Species Act’s since 1973.

Youtube video Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-mVbnDD6Lc

References www.thewildones.org/Animals/grayWolf.html http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/wolf/ www.defenders.org/wifelife_and_habitat/wifelife/wolf,_gray.php http://www.nfg.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Mammals/Gray-Wolf.aspx