Red+wolves

[[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Redwolf.jpg width="328" height="214" align="left"]]**Red Wolf**
//Canis rufus// alayna9 The red wolf is a distinct species. More recent genetic research and cross-breeding potential indicates that the Red Wolf is simply a recent hybrid between the Grey Wolf and the Coyote. Genetic comparison is considered by modern biologists to be superior to morphological comparison.On the whole, genetic evidence does not support the view that there has been a distinct Red Wolf population but much confusion and not a little controversy remains. There seems little doubt that there has been considerable hybridisation between Red Wolves, Grey Wolves and Coyotes, and that in recent years the Red Wolf has declined and been replaced over most of its range by Coyotes. The Red Wolf and the Coyote have not reached a sufficient state of reproductive isolation to be considered biological species - that is, each one forms a distinct evolutionary lineage. Over time the Red Wolf lineage would probably be absorbed back into those of the other two species, as it still can hybridize with both.Red Wolves are shy and wary creatures.

Size
The Red Wolf is a medium-sized canid, smaller and more slender than the Grey Wolf but larger than the Coyote. Adult males weigh between 25 - 35 kilograms (60 - 80 lbs) and have a very large head, while females are generally two-thirds this range.

Diet
Their diet consists of small animals, including rabbits, raccoons and rodents. They occasionally bring down deer with the help of other Red Wolves and they supplement their diet with insects and berries.

Population
The Red Wolf, is the rarest and most endangered of all wolves. It is thought that its original distribution included much of eastern North America, where Red Wolves were found from Pennsylvania in the east, Florida in the south, and Texas in the west. On the basis of further study, its historic range is now thought to have extended further north into the northeastern USA and extreme eastern Canada. In the last century habitat destruction and hybridization with Coyotes have brought the Red Wolf to the brink of extinction (the Coyote has intruded onto the red wolf's territory, causing more confusion and destruction of the species). Only about 270 wolves remain. For decades, the Red Wolf has been indistinguishable genetically from either the Gray Wolf or the Coyote. The Red Wolf breeds with both species and may again be in peril as contact with other species in the wild resumes.

**Lifespan**
It is estimated that red wolves live up to 15 years in captivity. They rarely live longer than six or seven years in the wild.

**Hab**itat
The original habitat of the red wolf included forests, wetlands, mountains and coastal prairies. Dens are often located in hollow trees, stream banks and sand knolls.

**Range**
Historically, red wolves ranged throughout the southeastern United States from Pennsylvania to Florida and as far west as Texas. Today, the only wild red wolves roam the Alligator River Refuge and nearby Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern North Carolina.

**Offspring**
Red wolves tend to form pair-bonds for life. They breed once a year in late winter. Pups are born about two months later (60 to 63 days). Females have between two and eight pups.

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