Body Weight
Male...c. 41 kg (90 lb)
Female...c. 31 kg (68 lb)
Head & Body Length
Male...100-160 cm (3-5.2 ft)
Female...100-160 cm (3-5.2 ft)
Tail Length
Male...35-56 cm (1.1-1.8 ft)
Female...35-56 cm (1.1-1.8 ft)
Wolves have strong bones. Their bone structure makes their bodies streamlined, including their narrow collarbones and wrist bones. The wolf's forelimbs do not rotate, which adds stability for running. The skull is long and narrow, allowing the wolf to hold onto prey.
EYES
Wolves usually have yellow eyes, though some have maroon eyes. Baby wolves have deep blue eyes that gradually lighten and then fade as they age. Full-blooded wolves do not have blue eyes in adulthood, but some wolf hybrids do. They are near-sighted. Their eyes effectively detect motion and they have strong peripheral vision. They have better night vision than people. They are partially colorblind. They have a third eyelid that stretches across the eye and releases oil to lubricate it.
Wolves have strong jaws that allow them to bite with twice as much pressure as the dog breed German shepherd. Their tongues have spike things called papillae that help them groom and remove meat from the bones of animals.
Wolf ears are small and rounded. Wolves can move their ears in different directions, letting them hear more effectively. They also use ear motion to communicate with other wolves. Their hearing is 16 times more sensitive than human ears.
Most wolves have gray fur, though some have white or black. Their fur is wiry, long and dense, with a fluffy undercoat of gray, black or white hairs. The animal's pelt is thick to keep the wolf warm during the winter. Wolves shed their hairs annually in the spring. The hair on the neck and shoulders stands up when the wolf feels aggressive. As wolves age, their pelts lighten. They have thick and bushy tails.