The Gray Wolf (Canis lupus; also spelled Grey Wolf, see spelling differences; also known as Timber Wolf or Wolf) is a mammal in the order Carnivora. One of three species termed 'wolf', it is a member of the small genus Canis, which also includes the Coyote (Canis latrans), the Golden Jackal and the domestic dog; in fact, the Gray Wolf shares a common ancestry with the dog (Canis lupus familiaris), as evidenced by DNA sequencing and genetic drift studies. Gray Wolves the largest of all wild canids, with a shoulder height of 0.6–0.9 meters (26–34 inches), and weight 32–62 kilograms (70–135 pounds). The bulky two-layered coat can be gray, gray-brown, white, red, brown or black, or contain shades of all of the preceding colors.
Gray wolves were once abundant over much of North America and Eurasia. Due to habitat destruction and hunting, wolves now inhabit a very limited portion of their former range. Though listed as a species of least concern for extinction worldwide, for some regions including the Continental United States, the species is listed as endangered or threatened.
The Gray Wolf, being a keystone predator, is an important part of the ecosystems to which it typically belongs. The wide range of habitats where wolves thrive reflects their adaptability as a species, and includes temperate forests, mountains, tundra, taiga, and grasslands. In much of the world, with the exception of Northern regions, they are listed as endangered. They continue to be hunted in many areas of the world for their perceived threat to livestock, as well as for sport.