There are in total three families of wolves in the world: the gray wolf, the Abyssinian wolf and the red wolf. The first, the gray wolf, is considered one of the largest. And that's when we meet the canadian wolf, which is a subspecies of the gray wolf. He weighs approximately 60 kg and measures approximately 80 centimeters.

It is also known by other names, such as Alberta wolf, Mackenzie Valley wolf either canadian wolf And Alaskan Wolf. Although its scientific name is Canis lupus occidentalis.

It would be a species who, at that moment, would be unprotected, it can therefore be hunted, except during the period when the pack is responsible for raising the young. Actually, It is generally very appreciated for its fur.

So far, it is estimated that there are between 50,000 and 60,000 individuals, which is why it is classified as “least concern”.

The Canadian wolf, a wolf adapted to its habitat

As its name suggests, the canadian wolf lives in Canada, notably in Quebec, as well as in Alaska. All thanks to has adapted perfectly to its environment.

It was Sir John Richardson, a naturalist of Scottish origin, who, in 1829, described this subspecies for the first time. At that time, he explained that it had “a more robust structure than the common gray wolf, with a larger and rounder head and a thicker and more obtuse muzzle”.

Additionally, he noted that “their ears are also shorter and their fur thicker”, in addition to having thicker and longer legs, perfect for walking in deep snow or the rugged terrain of the famous Rocky Mountains .

With curiosity, The color of their fur varies depending on where they live.. For example, the further north we live, with a rare absence of vegetation, we tend to have a lighter coat, which allows us to blend in better with the landscape. However, if you usually live in an area with dense vegetation, your coat will be darker.

An exceptional hunter

Like many wolves, The Canadian wolf has a good sense of smell, which stands out for its very developed character. In fact, some studies have found that It is capable of perceiving an odor at a distance of approximately 300 meters.

According to this study, when the Canadian wolf detects prey, it stops and its nose points in the direction where it is located. Furthermore, in the presence of this signal, all the others raise their heads to analyze the odor.

Then the flock begins to wag its tails and jump, then remains silent.

Another study, of Canadian origin, also indicates that The presence of these wolves is essential to avoid damage caused by deer. And, in the absence of predators, “90 percent of the understory vegetation is gone. This caused the disappearance or serious shortage of many invertebrates, notably pollinating insects, and, later, birds.