Gray wolves and red wolves are both canines, but they differ in several key ways:
- Appearance: Gray wolves are larger and more robust, with males up to 175 pounds and females up to 125 pounds. Red wolves are smaller, with males up to 80 pounds and females up to 60 pounds.
- Color: Gray wolves range from black to white, while red wolves are typically reddish-brown.
- Habitat: Gray wolves live in forests, tundra, and grasslands. Red wolves are found only in the southeastern United States.
- Diet: Gray wolves eat deer, elk, moose, and caribou. Red wolves eat smaller animals such as rabbits, raccoons, and opossums.
- Social Structure: Gray wolves live in packs of up to 30; red wolves live in packs of up to 15.
- Reproduction: Gray wolves average 5 pups per litter; red wolves average 3.
- Conservation Status: Gray wolves are listed as least concern; red wolves are critically endangered.