Eastern Wolf
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The Eastern Wolf, Eastern Canadian Wolf , Eastern Timber Wolf or Algonquin Wolf (Canis lupus lycaon) or, according to some taxonomists Canis lycaon is a mammal of the Canidae family.
The Eastern Wolf has typically been considered a subspecies of Canis Lupus (Grey Wolf). However recent genetic research suggests that it may in fact be closely related to or even identical with Canis rufus of the southeast of the US. But there are no really adequate methods of identifying them, because their ability to hybridize.
The Eastern Wolf is smaller than the Grey Wolf. It has a pale greyish-brown pelt. The back and the sides are covered with long black hairs. Behind the ears, there is a slight reddish colour.
In pre-Columbian times, the Eastern Wolf used to roam the forests of Eastern Canada and Eastern USA, down to Florida. Now it is found in the forests of Southern Ontario and Quebec, in the region of the Great Lakes. They live in packs and require rather large tracts of uncleared forest. Through deforestation and hunting, their numbers have declined drastically. There are some 2,000 eastern wolves left in the wild.
Their favourite prey are beavers in summer, and White-tailed Deer and caribou in the winter months.
External links
- Status of the Eastern Wolf (http://www.nrdpfc.ca/files/Report_to_COSEWIC2001.pdf) A PDF document describing recent genetic research suggesting the Eastern Wolf is a close relation of the Red Wolf.