Gray wolf
Sleek white coats. Powerful muscles. Our gray wolves are always curious, often on the move. Come meet them.
Our gray wolves are siblings, born April 22, 2013 at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo in Maryland. They came to live here later that year. Sisters Tala and Darci don’t interact well, so they alternate sharing the outside habitat with brother Canagan.
America is home to two species of wolf, both of which are endangered. Gray wolves are hunted, but are critical to balanced ecosystems. Red wolves have been brought back from the brink of extinction – but only just. Read the story for more.
Canagan is our male. Keepers describe him as aloof, curious, playful but reserved around new people, and protective of his pack. During warm months he likes playing in the pool, but can often be found atop the small shelter or patrolling the fence-lines, monitoring visitors.
Darci is energetic, playful and aloof. She loves eating dog kibble, and pushing puzzle feeders around to find it hidden by keepers. Playful, she chases her brother, but also likes people-watching near the Baker Cabin or pathways.
Keepers describe Tala as aware, alert, proactive and sweet – when she wants to be. She’s motivated by food, but also likes people, especially our veterinarian! Her favorite food is any whole prey item, like an elk carcass or rabbit.|
One name
Many colors.
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Despite the name, the gray wolf’s coat can range from almost pure white to black. |
They range over forest and tundra in Northern U.S. and Alaska, Europe and Asia. |
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A complex society
And wary of humans.
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Wolves live and hunt in a pack that is structured socially in class layers, with an alpha male and female at the top. |
Wolves are endangered in the U.S. They’re naturally wary of humans and prefer to flee or avoid them if possible. |
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So much to say
In so many ways.
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Wolves communicate visually in sophisticated ways, using body posture, facial expressions and tail positions. |
Audible communication is the howl, which bonds the pack, helps them reassemble and is sometimes just for play. |