Overview
Grey wolves (or Canis lupus) are a large canid species that live across most of the Northern hemisphere. They are large generalist predators who will eat most prey they are able to catch and are able to live in a huge variety of environments. The appearance of grey wolves has a lot of variety depending on which population is being observed - there are 38 subspecies of the grey wolf with adaptations to their specific environments. In general, grey wolves have a mottled grey-brown fur coat, pointed ears and a long straight snout. They have a slim build with a deep rib cage and long legs. Wolves measure 105cm to 160cm long with a 29cm to 50cm long tail and stand 80cm to 85cm tall at the shoulder. Males weigh between 43kg and 45kg and females weigh between 36kg and 38.5kg.
Appearance
Adult
Juvenile
Colourmorphs
White Morph
Melanistic
Darker Variation
White Morph juvenile
Melanistic juvenile
Darker Variation juvenileSize & weight
Size
Shoulder height: 80 cm
Weight
Male
44 kg
Female
37 kg
Bars use a log scale against the heaviest animal in the Zoopedia, the Common Hippopotamus.
Juvenile
Juvenile weight
11 kg
Measured as Shoulder height. The person stands 1.75 m tall for scale.
Habitat requirements
Barrier grade
Grade 3 of 5
Minimum height
3 m minimum
Climbing & water
Climb proof
Not needed
Water barrier
Not allowed
Habitat needs
Minimum area
Land
1,162 m² + 92 m² per extra animal
Shelter
10 m² per animal
Environment
Temperature
-18 to 29°C
Plant coverage
0-100%
Enclosure
Habitat
Dislikes
Rain
Terrain
- Sand 10-50%
- Grass 10-50%
- Rock 10-50%
- Soil 10-50%
- Snow 0-100%
Diet and enrichment
Diet
- Nutritionally Complete Meat
- Small Carcasses
Water sources
Conservation
IUCN Red List
Least concern
Least concern
Critically endangered
Wild population
200,000
200,000 - 250,000 in the wild. Rank 45 of 58 species with a known count, smallest first.
While currently assessed as Least Concern, the grey wolf has faced significant challenges through centuries of persecution and habitat loss. Historically hunted to near extinction across much of Europe and North America, wolves were (and partly still are) viewed as threats to livestock and human safety. Fragmented habitats, vehicle collisions, and illegal killings further threaten wolf populations. Thanks to improved legal protection, grey wolf populations have rebounded over recent decades. In the US, the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 helped restore ecological balance and biodiversity. In Europe, wolves have returned naturally to many areas, thanks to legal protection under the EU Habitats Directive. Populations have expanded in many Eastern and Central European countries and recolonised former habitats. Initiatives such as compensation for livestock losses, monitoring programs, and public awareness campaigns have been crucial in supporting their recovery across Europe, showing that wolf populations can be re-established even in human-dominated landscapes with the right conservation measures.
Zoopedia sketchbook
Social & reproduction
Keeper notes
Wolves are very social animals that live in family packs. An average pack contains one alpha male, one alpha female, their young adult offspring, and a litter of pups that are less than a year old. Wolf packs are closely bonded, and wolves get distressed if their pack is separated or if a pack member dies. In a wolf pack, the alpha male and alpha female are monogamously bonded and mate for life, and only they have young within the pack. As the female approaches oestrus, the pair strengthen their bond through close physical contact and grooming. After a pregnancy lasting about 2.5 months, the female gives birth to a litter of 5 to 7 pups in a secluded den, where she remains for the first three weeks to care for the newborns. During this period, she is fed by the alpha male, and no other pack members are allowed inside the den. At around 3 or 4 weeks, the pups begin eating solid food regurgitated by adults, and by 8 weeks, they are fully weaned. The pups start to accompany the pack on hunts, typically by 4 to 6 months, where they begin learning essential survival skills. Grey wolves reach sexual maturity around 2 to 3 years old. Pups usually remain with their natal pack until 10 months to 4 years old, with the timing influenced by food availability and sexual maturity. Lone wolves look to meet another lone wolf of the opposite sex and establish a territory. If they find a partner, they mate during the breeding season and reproduce a litter of pups once a year and will stay together for life.
Group and breeding
Group
Group name
Pack
Group size
2-12 (up to 12 males, up to 12 females)
Male bachelor group
1-12
Female bachelor group
1-12
Offspring dispersal
None
Lifecycle and breeding
Life expectancy
8-12 years
Age of sexual maturity
2 years
Age of sexual sterility
Death
Gestation or incubation
2.3 months
Interbirth period
9.7 months
Litter size
1-5
Mating system
Monogamous
Mating season
Spring
Reproduction in captivity
Easy
Dominance
Alpha male and alpha female
Research
Research levels
| Level | Unlocks | Research gate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Thriving Requirement 1: Dog Ball, at least 3 | |
| Level 2 | Thriving Requirement 2: Small Bubble Machine, at least 2; Grey Wolf Fact Sheet | |
| Level 3 | Release groups and release to the wild | |
| Level 4 | Thriving Requirement 3: Food Grade 2; Fertility Level 1 (+15% fertility) | Before this level: an Observation Network (Observation Platform) in Sweden Reserve and this species released in Sweden Reserve |
| Level 5 | Thriving Requirement 4: at least 8 objects or plants with the Leaf Litter tag | |
| Level 6 | Thriving Requirement 5: Water Surface Area; Fertility Level 2 (+30% fertility) |
Researched by
Vets
Researched at
Habitat or exhibit and Research Centre
Wildlife Reserve
Sweden Reserve
Every level of this species' research, with its unlock conditions.
Release groups
Valid release groups
| Group | Type | Animals |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed Pack | Mixed group | 2 to 3 males, 2 to 3 females |
| Bonded Pair | Breeding partners | 1 male, 1 female |
Release requirements
| Requirement type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ecosystems Required | Either Flourishing Open Canopy Forest or Flourishing Mixed Lowland Forest |
| Species Roles Required | Medium Prey |
| Species Roles Required | Small Prey |
Ecosystems
Release groups, reserve requirements and the roles this species fills.
Animal facts
- Wolves, with the exception of some breeds of domestic dog, are the largest canid species.
- Wolves howl as an alarm call, to assemble the pack, to locate each other if they get separated, or to communicate across long distances.
- In North America, wolves have hybridised with domestic dogs, which has introduced black colouration into the wolf population.
- Wolves in cold countries can withstand temperatures of -40°C. When it is this cold, wolves lie close to the ground and use their tail as a muffler over their face.
- Wolves are apex predators, they are only threatened by humans, bears and tigers.
Taxonomy
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
