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Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. rufus
Evolution
Subspecies:
Florida Black Wolf (C. rufus floridanus) - Extinct
Florida Black Wolf (C. rufus floridanus) - Extinct
Gregory's Wolf (C. rufus gregoryi) - Extinct
Gregory's Wolf (C. rufus gregoryi) - Extinct
Studies show that all canids diverged from common ancestor 6,000 - 117,000 years ago. Has existed at least since colonization of the Americas. There is ongoing debate as to whether the red wolf constitutes a distinct species that underwent human-influenced admixture with coyotes, or if they are simply a hybrid between wolves and coyotes. The closest living relatives include the grey wolf, dog, and coyote.
Ancestors:
Miacis
Miacis
Common ancestor of canines, foxes, raccoons, and bears
Hesperocyon
Hesperocyon
Similar dental structure to modern wolves
Tomarctus
Tomarctus
Looks distinctly like a modern wolf
Description
Appearance typical of genus
Intermediate size between coyote and grey wolf.
53.5 - 65 inches, 14.6 inch tail
44-85 lbs, males average more
Reddish, more sparsely furred pelage, tawny to greyish color
Long, slender limbs, larger ears than coyote and g. wolf
Males possess thicker neck, broader head, and smaller gap between eyes
Anywhere from 7-10 years in the wild, up to 15 in captivity
Female
Male
Habitat:
Original range extended through Southeast U.S. from Atlantic to Gulf Coast, north to Ohio River Valley, west to central Texas and southeast Missouri. The last natural population lived in coastal prairie marshes, swamps, and agricultural fields. Reintroduced populations inhabit forest/wetland mosaics with pine overstory and evergreen understory. Red wolves are habitat generalists, and can likely thrive in most settings with adequate prey.
Distribution:
Nearly driven to extinction by mid-1900s due to predator control programs, habitat destruction, and hybridization with coyotes. Declared extinct in the wild in 1987. 14 survivors of Source Population selected to create a captive-bred population in the late 70s, released into Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (ARNWR), NC, in '87. Population rose to 100-120 in 2012, but lack of regulation enforcement by the USFWS declined as low as 8 in 2021. Resumption of protection has increased the number to 15 - 17 wild red wolves in ARNWR.
Diet:
Prior to extinction in the wild, their diet consisted of rabbits, rodents, and nutria. The restored red wolf population relies on white-tailed deer, pig, raccoon, rice rats, muskrats, nutria, rabbits, and carrion, or animal carcasses. Eating habits are likely somewhat similar to grey wolves, as in feast-or-famine. They can go for days or weeks without eating, and gorging themselves when they do catch prey. Red wolves live and hunt in packs similar to grey wolves, but they may be smaller in size.
Social Structure:
Live in close-knit packs, consisting of family group with 5-8 members, including an adult breeding pair and several offspring. More sociable than coyote, less than grey wolf. Red wolves tend to form pair-bonds for life. They have specific territory that they actively defend, and generally avoid humans and human activity.
Reproduction and Development:
Mating is monogamous and it occurs once a year in January/February, with 6-7 pups being born in March, April, and May. Pack members rarely leave pups alone, and both parents appear to participate in the rearing of young. At 6 weeks, the pups distance themselves from the den, and reach full size by one year old. At this point, the majority of young wolves will leave to form their own pack, and they reach sexual maturity 2 years later.
Causes of Death:
As previously stated, the red wolf population initially experienced a massive decline due to aggressive predator-control programs, habitat destruction, and hybridization with coyotes. Currently, leading causes of death for red wolves include suspected/confirmed gunshot, vehicle strikes, and intentional poisoning. Considering the very low population numbers, the numbers on their deaths are very low, being in the single digits. Many deaths have unknown causes. Red wolf packs may guard their own territory from other packs and canids, although there are no other wolf species in their area. Population previously discussed in the distribution segment.
IUCN Rating/Human Impact:
Listed as Critically Endangered since 1996 by the IUCN, and recognized as an endangered species under the 1973 Endangered Species Act. Due to its controversial status, it is not recognized by other official treaties and organizations, such as the CITES Appendices. The impact on the red wolf by humans is massive, as they contributed the most to the population decline through predator-control programs and habitat destruction. Humans are still impacting red wolves through hunting and car accidents. After the 1973 ESA, formal efforts began to save it from extinction. A captive-breeding program was started, and 400 animals were captured from the red wolves habitat. Only 43 were believed to be red wolves, and only 14 could actually breed. There have been releases into the wild in 1976 in SC, 1986 in NC, 1989 in MS, and 1991 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Only the North Carolina population has been successful in terms of wild releases. Since 2012, lack of regulation by the USFWS caused a decline all the way down to 8 in 2021. The USFWS resumed introductions that same year, and increased protection. The wild population is expected to be 15 - 17 in ARNWR, but there are hundreds in captive populations across the US. There are frequent attempts at reintroductions in ARNWR, with some success over the years.
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