Red wolf : Canis rufus


Kingdom : Animalia
   Phylum : Chordata
          Class : Mammalia
               Order : Carnivora
                    Family : Canidae
                         Genus : Canis
                              Species : rufus

Description:

The red wolf was extinct in the wild by 1980, but was recently reintroduced into North Carolina. Over 300 red wolves are in captivity for breeding (including two at the Jacksonville zoo). One area where wolves are kept before being reintroduced into the wild is St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge in Florida.
Red wolves, Photo by David Byres The coat is primarily red, but is often tinged with grey or black.

The red wolf's most distinguishing features are the long ears and legs.

Distribution:

Red wolves were originally common in Florida.


William Bartram noted that "They assemble in companies in the night time, howl and bark together, which is terrifying to the wandering bewildered traveller."

If re-introduction is successful in other areas, northern Florida is a possible site for re-establishing a population.

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