Red wolf

The red wolf (*Canis rufus*) is a North American mammal in the dog family and is one of the most endangered canids in the world.

The red wolf (*Canis rufus*) is a North American mammal in the dog family and is one of the most endangered canids in the world. It is native to the southeastern United States, where its only confirmed wild population survives in eastern North Carolina. Its conservation status is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and critically endangered by the IUCN.

Description

The red wolf is a lean, long-legged canid with a reddish or tawny coat, black-tipped tail, and blackish shading along the back. Sources describe it as smaller than a gray wolf but larger than a coyote.

Distribution and habitat

Historically, red wolves ranged across parts of the southeastern United States. Today, the species is found in the wild only in eastern North Carolina, with conservation efforts centered on protected areas there.

Conservation status

The red wolf was declared extinct in the wild in 1980, then reintroduced from captive-bred animals. It remains highly threatened, with major pressures including habitat loss, hybridization with coyotes, and low population size.

Taxonomy and classification

The red wolf is classified as *Canis rufus*. Modern conservation and reference sources generally treat it as a distinct species, though its classification has been historically disputed.