Why are timber wolves also called gray wolves?

The scientific name for the gray wolf is Canis lupus. The genus Canis includes foxes, coyotes, and jackals. The species lupus includes wolves, dingoes, and coyotes. Timber wolves are a subspecies of gray wolf known as Canis lupus lycaon.

The name "timber wolf" is used in North America to refer to gray wolves that live in forested areas. Gray wolves are often called timber wolves because they prefer to live in forests and hunt in forested areas. Timber wolves are also sometimes called grey wolves, forest wolves, or mountain wolves.

The name "gray wolf" is used to refer to gray wolves in general, regardless of where they live. Gray wolves are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra. Gray wolves are the largest species of wolf and are found in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.