* Across the shoulders: This is probably the most common way to measure a wolf's width. A large male wolf might measure 2-3 feet across the shoulders.
* At the hips: Wolves are generally wider across the hips than the shoulders. This can be up to 3 feet or more in larger individuals.
* From paw to paw: This measurement is dependent on the wolf's stance. A wolf standing with its legs spread out will have a wider stance than one with its legs closer together.
It's important to note: There's a lot of variation in wolf size depending on the species, subspecies, and individual.
Here are some general size ranges:
* Gray Wolf: The most common species, with males typically weighing between 90-175 pounds and females between 65-110 pounds.
* Red Wolf: Smaller than gray wolves, with males typically weighing 50-80 pounds and females between 40-60 pounds.
* Arctic Wolf: The largest wolf subspecies, with males typically weighing 100-175 pounds and females between 70-130 pounds.
So, there's no single answer to the question of a wolf's width. It depends on the individual wolf, the way it's measured, and the species.