Scientific name: Canis Rufus
The red wolf is a type of wolf found in the southern part of the United States. Sadly, they are almost extinct in the wild. The only
wild populations of red wolves are experimental groups in
North Carolina,
Tenessee,
Missisippi, and
Florida. There are around 300 surviving red wolves; over 3/4ths of them are in captivity.
Red wolves are larger than
coyotes, but smaller than
gray wolves. Their fur is often tan colored, but gray and black red wolves have also been found. When fully grown, red wolves weigh between 40 and 80 pounds. Red wolves eat any small animal, but prefer
raccoon and
white-tailed deer.
Red wolves mate for life. Red wolf cubs tend to live far from their parents, in a range of their own.