What are the closest related animals to wolves?

The closest relatives of wolves are other members of the Canis genus. This includes:

* Coyotes: Found in North America, coyotes are smaller than wolves but share many similar traits, including hunting behavior and social structure.

* Jackals: Found in Africa, Asia, and Europe, jackals are smaller than wolves and coyotes, and typically have a more slender build. There are several jackal species, including the black-backed jackal, the side-striped jackal, and the golden jackal.

* Domestic Dogs: While domesticated, dogs are the closest living relative of the wolf. They share a common ancestor and can still interbreed.

* Dholes: These are also known as the "Indian wild dog" or "Asian wild dog". They are a highly social species native to South and Southeast Asia and are slightly smaller than wolves. They are considered vulnerable due to habitat loss.

While coyotes, jackals, dogs, and dholes are all closely related to wolves, dogs are the most closely related, sharing approximately 99.8% of their DNA.