The wolf is the primeval wild dog, the largest wild canid, long a hunter alongside people, and ancestor of our most faithful domestic companion. Wolves vary widely in appearance. Their fur is thick and usually grey, but can vary from nearly pure white, red, or brown to black.

Wild wolves generally fear and avoid people, rarely posing a threat to human safety.

Since about 1950, there have been two apparent wolf-caused human fatalities in North America (Canada and Alaska).

Wolves can become habituated to humans in areas where they regularly encounter humans or human food.


Wolves have three methods of communicating with each other. The first is sound. Wolves are generally known for howling, but wolves will also growl, squeal, whine, and gruff. Whimpering and whining conveys friendly intentions, while growling is considered an aggressive noise. When wolves howl each individual within the pack sings a different note, which makes a pack of 4-8 sound like a pack of 10-12 individuals. Wolves howl for many reasons, some of them being that it reinforces pack unity and territorial claims.