# Iberian wolf (*Canis lupus signatus*) The Iberian wolf is a special kind of wolf found in Spain and Portugal. They have beautiful fur and are known for their strong family bonds. These wolves love to roam in packs and are great hunters! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Portuguese Wolf, Spanish Wolf ![Iberian wolf](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Canis_Lupus_Signatus.JPG&width=800) Photo: Juan José González Vega, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canis_Lupus_Signatus.JPG) ## Appearance The Iberian wolf has a distinctive yellowish-brown coat with dark markings, especially a dark streak along its tail and prominent dark stripes on its front legs. Its lips are white, contrasting with its often reddish-brown muzzle, making it visually distinct from other European wolves. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Canis ## Interesting facts - Each wolf pack defends a large territory from rivals. - Pups are born tiny, blind, and totally helpless. - Their howls help them talk to other wolves miles away! - These wolves are very shy and mostly avoid people. ## Special abilities - **Super Sniffer:** Iberian wolf can detect prey from far distances because of its incredibly powerful sense of smell that helps them hunt. - **Stealthy Stalker:** Iberian wolf can move almost silently through dense forests because its soft paw pads help them creep up on prey. - **Team Hunter:** Iberian wolf has amazing teamwork skills that help them coordinate with its pack to chase down large animals effectively. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 100-140 cm - **Weight:** 20-40 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-8 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-6 - **Gestation:** 60-65 days ## Diet & Feeding Iberian wolves are expert hunters of wild hoofed animals and smaller creatures. - **Primary Foods:** Red deer, Wild boar, Roe deer, European rabbit, Livestock - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Red Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-deer) (*Cervus elaphus*) — A primary food source for wolf packs in their habitat. - **Hunts:** [Wild Boar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-boar) (*Sus scrofa*) — Another large prey animal that provides sustenance. - **Hunts:** [European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Smaller prey, important when large game is scarce. - **Depends on:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — Wolf populations depend on human conservation efforts. ## 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. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [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:** 3/5 · Moderate Iberian wolves are wild animals, so it's best to admire them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Iberian wolf? 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 Iberian wolf? 100-140 cm ### How much does Iberian wolf weigh? 20-40 kg ### How long does Iberian wolf live? 6-8 years ### How fast can Iberian wolf move? 55 km/h ### What does Iberian wolf eat? Iberian wolves are expert hunters of wild hoofed animals and smaller creatures. ### Where is Iberian wolf usually found? Forests ### How does Iberian wolf hunt? Pursuit ## 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: [Iberian wolf: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/iberian-wolf)