Red Wolf
Eats
They are carnivorous, eating mainly deer, rabbits, and rodents. They often hunt in packs to take down bigger prey.
Lives
Once ranged throughout the Southeastern US, from Florida to Pennsylvania. Now only found in 5 counties in North Carolina and approved Zoos & Conservation Centers.
Behavior
Red wolves are much more elusive and shy than grey wolves. They are very pack oriented and have multiple ways of communicating with each other including howls, yips, scent marking, facial expressions, and body postures. They hunt in small packs of 5-8 including a breeding pair and offspring from multiple seasons.
Description
Oftentimes red wolves are confused for coyotes as they look highly similar. Their fur can vary in coloration but they often have a reddish coat with a black-tipped tail and lighter coloration around their muzzle/mouth. They are much smaller than their grey wolf relatives and are not as aggressive.
Did you Know?
How can I Help?
Red Wolves were declared extinct in the 1980s due to human-based mortality including gunshots and vehicle collisions. There are fewer than 20 in the wild and 250 in human care as of 2023. Humans believed them to be sly and aggressive, which cannot be farther from the truth as they are very skittish animals. To help our native wolves, educate yourself and those you know on the differences between coyotes and red wolves to stop the murder of these creatures.