Species · GBIF taxon 8441206
Eastern Wolf
Canis lycaonAlso known as Timber Wolf, Algonquin Wolf, Eastern Timber Wolf
Eastern wolves are highly social pack-dwelling carnivores that communicate through a complex system of soulful, harmonizing howls, scent marking, and expressive body language. They maintain tight-knit family units led by a breeding pair, working together to defend territories and hunt large ungulates. Their presence in the mixed-wood forests of southeastern Canada plays a vital role in regulating prey populations and maintaining ecological balance.
Pack HunterVocalApex Predator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- White-tailed Deer
- North American Beaver
- Moose
Predators
- Humans
- Gray Wolf
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, hybridization with coyotes, and human persecution
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed forests, boreal forests, and wetlands
Life span3 to 4 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCanidae
- SpeciesCanis lycaon
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Avoid approaching wild canines; maintain a safe distance and secure food sources to prevent habituation.
- Why it is dangerous
- Capable of delivering powerful defensive bites if cornered, and can carry diseases like rabies or tapeworms.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a slender, dog-like build with a reddish-brown muzzle and ears, larger than a coyote but smaller than a gray wolf.
- What to do
- If encountered, stand tall, make noise, and back away slowly without running.
- What to notice
- Recognized by their distinct howling choruses and tracks that are larger than those of coyotes.
- Support conservation
- Report sightings to local wildlife authorities and avoid disturbing active den sites during spring.
Responsible observation
- Keep Distance: Never approach or attempt to feed a wolf, as habituation leads to conflict.
- Secure Attractants: Store food and garbage in bear-resistant containers when camping in wolf territory.
- Leash Pets: Keep dogs on a leash to avoid triggering territorial defense behaviors from wild packs.
Prey (c) Rodney Campbell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Prey USDA photo by Scott Bauer / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative User:Mas3cf / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Yathin S Krishnappa / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "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
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Ecosystem chain
The Forest Floor
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