wolf

{plural – wolves}

a kind of animal – mammal – four-legged – carnivore (= meat-eating) – belongs to the ‘dog family’ – medium-sized with cone-shaped head with medium-sized straight’ pointed ears, clear, round eyes, long, powerful muzzle (= mouth and nose part), sharp teeth, thick neck, slender body with long, slender but strong, straight legs with soft paws and claws, long, bushy tail; size: 2-3 feet tall and the shoulder, 4-6 feet long, including 1-1½ feet long tail, and weight: 10-80 Kg. (male larger than female); feeds on (eats) small to large rodents, sheep, goats, pigs, birds, and large animals, such as deer, antelope, horses, moose and even bison, (some individuals living near water) fish; lives for 6-10 years in the wild and for much more years in captivity; several sub-species, found in Europe, Asia and in parts of Africa

male ~~  dog; he-wolf

female ~~ bitch; she-wolf

baby ~~  cub, whelp, pup

group ~~ pack, rout, route, horde, band

voice (call) ~~ howl, growl, bark, rally (high-pitched wailing noise)

home ~~ den

movement (motion) ~~ lope

Some common wolf species and sub-species are: grey wolf (timber wolf), red wolf, Ethiopian wolf, Mexican wolf, Arctic wolf, Eastern wolf, Eurasian wolf, Italian wolf, tundra wolf, maned wolf, Indian wolf, Arabian wolf, Caspian Sea wolf, Egyptian wolf

[The fur (hair) and skin of a wolf used as clothing for people is also called ‘wolf’.]

Special Features:

The ‘Italian wolf’ is the national animal of Italy.

The ‘grey wolf’ is the national animal of Turkey.

The ‘eastern timber wolf’ is the state animal of Minnesota, USA.

The wolves are the largest of the dog family.

Wolves have been hunted for sport, for their skin, and to protect the farm animals (livestock), and as a result, most of the present wolf species and sub-species are endangered!

wolf  howling

Most wolves howl, a kind of long, terrifying cry, in order to keep in touch with the other members of their own pack or to warn the other packs.

But the Arabian wolf and the Iranian wolf cannot howl!!

The wolves in Israel are unique due to the fact that the middle toes of their paws are fused (joined)!

Wolves can mate with the domestic dogs and produce healthy and fertile pups, called ‘wolf-dog’; and they can also mate with coyotes and produce healthy and fertile cubs, called ‘coywolf’!!

wolf in Roman mythology

Wolves have been mentioned in the scriptures of several religions and cultures, and folklore – both positively and negatively.  In some societies wolves have been respected and worshipped, but in some other, they have been feared and hated, and even killed!

Wolves have been featured in several ancient and medieval legends.

werewolf

The werewolves, half man and half wolf, have super natural, usually evil, powers, especially on a full moon nights, killing innocent people!

On the other hand, wolves have been depicted in the coats-of-arms of several countries!

The name ‘wolf’ is used in the names and logos of numerous sports teams!

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