# Canis Lupus Rufus The Canis Lupus Rufus, also known as the red wolf, is a fascinating animal with a beautiful reddish-brown coat. These wolves are known for their unique howl that can be heard for miles! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Red wolves live in forests, swamps, and coastal prairies in the southeastern United States. - **Also known as:** Red Wolf, Southern Wolf ![Canis Lupus Rufus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/07-03-23RedWolfAlbanyGAChehaw.jpg&width=800) Photo: Tim Ross, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:07-03-23RedWolfAlbanyGAChehaw.jpg) ## Appearance The Canis Lupus Rufus is a medium-sized canid with a reddish-brown coat, often darker on the back and lighter on the belly. It has long, slender legs and a reddish-brown muzzle and ears, making it distinctly more rufous than other wolf species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Canis ## Interesting facts - Red wolf pups are born blind and deaf, totally dependent on their mom and dad! - Red wolves sometimes mate for life, forming strong pairs that raise their young together. - These wolves can swim surprisingly well, often crossing rivers and swamps! - They communicate using a secret language of barks, growls, and howls. ## Special abilities - **Super Sniffer:** Canis Lupus Rufus has an incredibly powerful sense of smell that helps them track prey and locate pack members over long distances. - **Stealthy Stalker:** Canis Lupus Rufus can move very quietly through dense habitats because of their padded paws, allowing them to ambush unsuspecting prey. - **Pack Power:** Canis Lupus Rufus can hunt cooperatively in family groups, which helps them take down larger animals and protect their territory effectively. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 100-120 cm - **Weight:** 20-40 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-8 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-6 - **Gestation:** 60-63 days ## Diet & Feeding These skillful hunters mainly eat small animals, helping keep ecosystems healthy. - **Primary Foods:** Rabbits, Raccoons, White-tailed deer, Rodents, Birds - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — An important food source for red wolves, especially fawns. - **Hunts:** [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) — A common and frequent small prey item for red wolves. - **Symbiotic with:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Hybridization with coyotes is a major threat to red wolf genetic purity. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always observe wild animals from a safe distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Canis Lupus Rufus? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Canis Lupus Rufus? 100-120 cm ### How much does Canis Lupus Rufus weigh? 20-40 kg ### How long does Canis Lupus Rufus live? 6-8 years ### How fast can Canis Lupus Rufus move? 55 km/h ### What does Canis Lupus Rufus eat? These skillful hunters mainly eat small animals, helping keep ecosystems healthy. ### Where is Canis Lupus Rufus usually found? Red wolves live in forests, swamps, and coastal prairies in the southeastern United States. ### How does Canis Lupus Rufus hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Alexandria Zoological Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alexandria-zoological-park) — Louisiana, US · Zoo - [Mill Mountain Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mill-mountain-zoo) — Virginia, US · Zoo - [Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-defiance-zoo-and-aquarium) — Washington, US · Zoo - [ZooTampa](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zootampa) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/connecticuts-beardsley-zoo) — Connecticut, US · Zoo - [Salisbury Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/salisbury-zoo) — Maryland, US · Zoo [View all places to see Canis Lupus Rufus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/canis-lupus-rufus) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Canis Lupus Rufus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canis-lupus-rufus)