Grey wolf (Canis lupus) The world’s largest wild canid, the
iconic grey wolf has been a source of both fear and respect,
inspiring a rich cultural history. In general appearance, this
species resembles a large domestic dog, but has longer legs,
larger feet, a narrower chest and a straight tail. The fur is
thick, with an outer layer composed of coarse guard hairs, below
which a soft undercoat is present. The coat undergoes an annual
moult in late spring, with a short summer coat growing
simultaneously, which continues to develop into a winter coat in
the autumn and winter. The most common coat colour is grey
flecked with black, with lighter underparts, but individuals and
populations also occur that are red, brown, black or almost pure
white. The grey wolf’s sensitive ears and nose help it to track
down prey, while the long legs enable it to make high-speed,
lengthy pursuits.