Wolf Terms: Classification and Identification

Canidae

Canidae is a scientific term used to classify animals including wolves, dogs, and foxes. It is a family of animals (as oppose to a genus or species). The family of Canidae breaks down into two main sections, that of "true dogs" or canines (including wolves), and that of "true foxes" typically called Vulpini.

Features of a canidae include elongated skulls (long enough to be able to hold all forty-two teeth), claws that do not retract, and thick, multi-layered fur coats. All canines have four toes on their paws with front paws having a fifth dewclaw toe (one that doesn't make contact with the ground while standing). Those of the canis genus tend to be sociable, as oppose to animals such as foxes which tend to have a very solitary existence.

Subspecies

A subspecies is a division among types of species members. Think of dogs and then think of types of dogs. All dogs are Canis familiaris. A husky or pug would be a subspecies of dog.

There is some debate over how many subspecies of wolves exist. Different sources list different numbers. There was an attempt in 1992 by scientists to place all members of the wolf family into seven subspecies. However, most sources still list more than seven going by a possibly older method. Typically, the Gray wolf (Canis lupus) is said to have anywhere from thirty-two to thirty-six subspecies (several of which are extinct), and the Red Wolf (Canis rufus) is said to have three subspecies (two of which are extinct).

Scientists argue over exactly how to classify some wolves. The Eastern Timber Wolf has been talked about as being a third species of wolf. Also, there is argument over whether the Ethiopian Wolf is a wolf or a jackal. The Red Wolf has also been spoken about, some scientists arguing that it is actually a mix of gray wolf and coyote (although a mixture that would have taken place long ago). These arguments prove that classifying an animal isn't always the easiest thing to do and there is some leeway to be had in doing so.

Canine Teeth

Part of what defines a Canidae is the possession of canine teeth. These are the large teeth at the front of a canine's mouth. A wolf's canine teeth can be as long as two inches in length. They are used to hold prey while other teeth called incisors rip a prey's flesh open. A wolf's bite is therefore something like two kitchen knives digging into the prey's backside with the weight of the wolf (80 or more pounds) to slow or topple the prey animal to the ground.

Sources and Other:
"Frequently Asked Questions about Wolves" last update 2009, accessed June 2011 www.wolf.org/wolves/learn/basic/faqs/faq.asp
Greeley, Maureen "Wolf" Barnes & Nobel, Inc. 1997.
"Lupine Evolution, Species, and Subspecies" Wolfhowl.org, written May 2010, accessed June 2011 www.wolfhowl.org/subspecies.php
"Canidae" HighBeam Research, Inc. 2009 accessed June 2011 www.reference.com/browse/Canidae