What Is the Physical Description of Wolves?

The wolf is the largest animal in the Canidae, or dog family, within which there are two species of wolves, the gray wolf and the red wolf. There are also many subspecies of this animal. An adult wolf can weigh up to 175 pounds, though they tend to be smaller in more temperate climates. Wolves have natural habitats in North America, Asia and Europe.

  1. Size

    • The wolf is the biggest animal in the Canidae (dog family), weighing between 40 and 175 pounds as adults. Male wolves usually weigh about 20 percent more than females. The average height of the wolf, from the front feet to the shoulder, is between 26 and 32 inches. The average length of a wolf, from head to tail, is between 4.5 and 6.5 feet.

    Fur and Eye Colors

    • The color of a wolf's fur can be white, black, gray, brown or tan. Wolves' fur is never spotted. The color of their eyes can be either yellow, amber, brown or orange. Eye color of a young wolf pup is blue, then green, before eventually changing into its adult color. An adult wolf never has blue eyes.

    Paws

    • The paws of wolves, dogs and coyotes are similar in many ways, but a wolf's paw is usually larger and rectangular in shape, with four toes on each. Their front paws are bigger than the back paws. The average length of their paws is 4.5 inches, while very few dogs have paws longer than four inches. Wolves also have flexible toes, which enable them to cover great distances over varying terrain.

    Other Physical Traits

    • Wolves' hair is longest around their manes, which can be as long as 6.7 inches. Wolves also have a thin or narrow chests. They have 42 teeth, and their fangs can be 2.5 inches long. Their rounded ears are never floppy or hang down. A wolf's tail is never curly, and it either hangs down or points straight out.