Red Wolf
(canis rufus)
endangered, native to U.S.
Most active at dawn and dusk. It lives in discrete packs, which have an exclusive teritory within their home range. The breeding season occurs between January and March, and dens are located amongst dense vegetation, in deep burrows between fields or in canal banks, or in the hollows of large trees. Litters contain an average of three to six pups.
Description
Range
Red wolves formerly ranged throughout the southeastern USA, from the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, north to the Ohio River Valley and central Pennsylvania, and west to central Texas and southeastern Missouri.
Habitat
The red wolf inhabits swamps, forests, wetlands and bushlands
Threats
The population of red wolves suffered as a result of persecution and habitat loss as mature woodlands were cleared to make way for agriculture. Red wolves were extensively trapped and shot, as they were believed to pose a direct threat to livestock and game
Conservation
Despite the ongoing debate as to the species status of the red wolf, the recovery program started by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is one of the most successful large mammal conservation effort.
Cute Fact
A pack typically contains a breeding pair (who mate for life). AWWWWWWWWWWWW.