Evolution

Today there are three hypotheses on where red wolves originated from. The first hypothesis is that they are a recent hybrid from modern coyotes and grey wolves. The second hypothesis is that the red & eastern wolf is closer related to coyotes than they are to grey wolves. It is believed that red & eastern wolves are the same species and that they branched off of the coyote lineage about 500 thousand years ago. The third and final hypothesis is almost the exactly like the second hypothesis except it is believe the red & eastern wolf branched off from each other and are different species.

All animals in the order carnivora today are said to came from an extinct animal called Miacaids. Miacaids were small carnivores with long, lithe bodies and long tails. Some lived in trees while others lived on the ground. Another ancestor is the C. lepophagus. They looked like small jackals about 15 pounds in weight. The first definite wolf to appear in North America was the C. Priscolatrans. At some point in time, they disappear and are then replaced with C. ambrusteri. They are a large wolf that most likely migrated from Eurasian that eventually evolved into C. dirus. The large size of the C. dirus provided ecological space for the smaller species C. rufus and C. Latrans.

The family Canidea are known for their long limbs and body, enlarged nose, big, pointed ears, and non-retractable claws. The characteristics of the genus Canis are distinguished by their normal to large size, their huge, well-developed skulls and dentition, long legs, and short ears and tails.