Fauna
Mammal

Red Wolf

Canis rufus

Red wolves form tightly knit monogamous family packs led by a breeding pair that hunts and defends territory together. They communicate through haunting, high-pitched choruses of howls and yips that carry across miles of coastal marsh and pine savanna. Intensive captive breeding and reintroduction efforts in eastern North Carolina have preserved this rare canid from total extinction.

CanineCarnivoreNocturnal
Red Wolf reference1 / 7
"11276F, Red Wolf Healthcare and Education Center" by Red Wolf Recovery Program is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
—observations
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Critically EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXCritically EndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyWhite-tailed Deer, Marsh Rabbit, Raccoon
Predators
  • Humans
ThreatsGunshot mortality, vehicle collisions, hybridization with coyotes, habitat loss
HabitatsCoastal prairies, pine savannas, bottomland hardwood forests, wetlands
Life span6–10 years in the wild (up to 15 years in captivity)
Classification
  1. OrderCarnivora
  2. FamilyCanidae
  3. GenusCanis
  4. SpeciesCanis rufus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Extremely shy around people, but capable of biting defensively if cornered or trapped.
What to notice
Recognizable by long legs, tall pointed ears, and a tawny reddish coat with black tipping along the back.
Support conservation
Never approach, feed, or attempt to follow an individual; give wolves wide berth and record sightings from afar.
Responsible observation
  • Viewing Etiquette: Scan open farm fields and coastal wetlands at dawn or dusk with binoculars, maintaining quiet distance.
  • Report Observations: Immediately report any sightings or vehicle collisions to local wildlife authorities to assist ongoing tracking programs.
  • Pet Safety: Keep domestic dogs on leashes near recovery zones to avoid aggressive territorial disputes.
Related species
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Ecosystem chain

The Forest Floor

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