Grey Wolf
The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is the largest wild member of the Canidae family. With over 30 subspecies inhabiting diverse habitats from arctic tundra to steppe, its complex social behaviour in packs makes it a central research subject in behavioural ecology.
biology.mammals
Metrics
Scientific Name
Linnaeus, 1758. Family Canidae. Over 30 subspecies described.
Body Length (incl. tail)
Head-body length: 1.0–1.3 m (males), tail: 35–52 cm.
Mass
Males 30–80 kg (average ~55 kg), females 23–55 kg (average ~45 kg).
Lifespan
Typically 6–8 years in the wild, maximum approx. 13 years. Up to 17 years in captivity.
Relations
An African elephant weighs about 130 times as much as a wolf.
Factor: 130 × · Direction: A_lt_B
Explanations
The wolf (Canis lupus) is the largest wild canid and thrives in remarkably diverse habitats – from frozen tundra to steppes and mountains. With a body length of about 1.6 m and an average weight of 45 kg, it reaches top speeds of 60 km/h during hunts. With more than 30 subspecies spread across the globe, the wolf demonstrates impressive adaptability, and its sophisticated pack social behavior makes it a central focus of behavioral biology research.
Sources
Least Concern (2023).
Related Cards
Provenance
Status
seed
Review
none
Last Updated
2026-02-17