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Red Wolf
Stats
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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
Red wolves are often mistaken for coyotes due to their similar appearance. Their fur can vary in color, but they typically have a reddish coat, accented with a black-tipped tail and lighter fur around their muzzle and mouth. Compared to their gray wolf relatives, red wolves are smaller and generally less aggressive, making them unique among canids. These wolves are an important part of their ecosystem, helping to maintain the balance by controlling prey populations!
Did you Know?
Our wolves that are not on exhibit are kept wild by limiting human interaction. Humans only go near the pens when needed (feeding, medical exams, cleaning, etc).
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.
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