Talk:Gray Wolf

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[edit] eye site of wolfs

hay do u know if wolfs have poor eye site??????????? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.113.156.247 (talk) 04:43, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

Its fair, but not as good as a humans.they rely more on their sense of smell. they can't see much color, though.--S'luki 23:42, 19 December 2007 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by SalukiGirl (talk • contribs)

[edit] C. familiaris vs. C. lupus familiaris

The article states that gray wolves share a common ancestry with domestic dogs. It calls the domestic dog C. lupus familiaris, right in the same sentence where it says they share a common ancestor. Doesn't the term "C. lupus familiaris" identify the domestic dog as a subspecies of wolf? I was under the impression that it was given that name because people believed the domestic dog was descended from the gray wolf--hence why it was treated as a subspecies. If they instead came from the same ancestor, wouldn't the domestic dog correctly be known just as C. familiaris? 75.165.5.155 05:17, 2 December 2007 (UTC)

I don't know why they put C. lupus familiaris, because I have always seen it as C. famaliaris. It even says that in the dictionary. Probably a little error that no one's been fixing. --RACiEPLeave a message! 23:17, 19 March 2008 (UTC)
Oh never mind, apparently it's disputed or something like that. --RACiEP (talk) 01:47, 20 March 2008 (UTC)

Yeah some consider them the same species some don't. I think it's worth discussing though. The true measure of course is can you put a wolf in a designer tote, if the answer is no, then it is not the same species as a dog. Arthurian Legend (talk) 00:19, 29 March 2008 (UTC)

What? What has that do do with the question whether it's the same species or not? That would mean that a feral dog is not a dog too.--Inugami-bargho (talk) 07:00, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

What? Your question just confused me. RACiEP (talk) 01:45, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Pic

Added a neat new picture to the livestock predation subsection, if anyone cares. Bearerofthecup (talk) 10:18, 9 December 2007 (UTC)

Added a 19th century print of Fenrir, Tyr, and Odin to the In folklore and mythology subsection from Historical perceptions, and an 18th century print of a wolf eating a woman to the Causes and prey selection subsection from Attacks on humans. Bearerofthecup (talk) 18:02, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] May I add more to wolves?

In their social structure, may I add this: "Like humans, wolf personalities vary from another wolf, and their personality fits the rank they are in." May I also add in Attacks On Humans: "In fact, you are statistically fives times more likely to be struck by lightning than attacked by a wolf."? And may I also add "Despite their vicious reputation by humans, scientists have noticed their friendliness, and have been teaching people how they are not as aggressive as mythology suggests."? The Winged Yoshi —Preceding unsigned comment added by The Winged Yoshi (talk • contribs) 01:42, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

If you can find references to support those statements, fine. If you can't find reliable sources for them, please do not add them.Kww (talk) 01:45, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

I agree. If you want to whitewash, provide references. Bearerofthecup (talk) 10:27, 15 December 2007 (UTC)

Personally, I don't see any need. The whole "wolves are friendly" argument has been done to death, and is repeatedly mentioned in the attacks section.87.102.1.203 (talk) 21:43, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

Also add that animal rights groups don't protest furring the wolves because of the pain felt at the moment; they protest against furring in general because they believe it's unnecessary death. And mention that researchers use different traps then hunters/furriers.Mreditorman22532 (talk) 01:13, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Shortening

I think the sections on historical perceptions and folklore should be shortened, as they are (or should be) better explained in the "attitudes" argument. Perceptions and myths are purely human concepts, maybe this article should stick to facts on wolves themselves as they are.87.102.1.203 (talk) 21:47, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

No response? I'm going to assume that if that a lack of answer is a lack of protest.Dark hyena (talk) 22:24, 18 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Wolfish Weights

I'd like to say that your wolf site is great but I noticed a weight mistake while skimming it. According to the Wolf Almanac written by Robert H. Bucsh, the average North American wolf weighs any way from 40 to 175 pounds but normaly is 60 to 100 pounds. 4theloveofwolves, 12:55 Saturday, January 26, 2008. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 4theloveofwolves (talk • contribs) 17:57, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

There is even more, the lowest weight in the article is 32 kg, which is more common in middle euopean wolves. Some wolves in Italy weigh only 20 kg and for the ones in the Near East, that weight is normal.--Inugami-bargho (talk) 14:45, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Then you need to edit the article yourself and put in correct information! TechnoFaye Kane 23:06, 29 March 2008 (UTC)
Already did that.--Inugami-bargho (talk) 07:01, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] wolves

can wolves be house pets —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.213.249.35 (talk) 21:17, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

if a wolf pup is cuaght soon after birth it can be domesticated, but it will still retain it's intincts plus it is porbably illegal and unadvisable, much better to get a dog than a wolf. 219.88.155.233 (talk) 00:28, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

There have been numerous people who have had wolves for pets before. If you Google it I'm sure you can find some of those people. Although, If you want a wolf as a pet, I would advise against it because some of the people who owned wolves as pets have been killed by the wolves. Remember, they're wild animals, not domesticated, so they still have their natural instincts, even if you do raise them from when they were born. --RACiEP (talk) 01:51, 20 March 2008 (UTC)
I agree with that, many domestic dog breeds are not really pets in the strictest sence (meaning they are not as social with humans as you would like) and a wolf is normally even more independent. As far as I know there were and are wolves who can be socialized to humans and never showed aggressive behaviour and could even get along with kids BUT (and that is a warning) that is not the general case, these wolves were (as far as I know) brought up by experts and they are a clear minority; e.g. it's like to expect from a Jack Russel Terrier to behave like a Pommeranian, the first is a hunting dog, while the latter a pet dog.--168.224.32.15 (talk) 06:04, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Agriotherium as ancestor of wolf?

Agriotherium says: "Agriotherium ... may have been an ancestor to some of today's carnivores, including the wolf."
I'm reasonably sure that this is wrong. Anybody? -- 201.37.229.117 (talk) 19:26, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

I am quite sure you are right.— Ѕandahl 01:11, 6 April 2008 (UTC)


[edit] Iberian Wolf

Is there any source to prove that its status as a different subspecies is disputed? I've aways see it being regarded as a different subspecies, which unique characteristics in appearance and behaviour.--Menah the Great (talk) 17:20, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

MSW3 lists signatus as a synonym for C. l. lupus, as well as the following (http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14000739):
  • altaicus (Noack, 1911)
  • argunensis Dybowski, 1922
  • canus de Sélys Longchamps, 1839
  • communis Dwigubski, 1804
  • deitanus Cabrera, 1907
  • desertorum Bogdanov, 1882
  • flavus Kerr, 1792
  • fulvus de Sélys Longchamps, 1839
  • italicus Altobello, 1921
  • kurjak Bolkay, 1925
  • lycaon Trouessart, 1910
  • major Ogérien, 1863
  • minor Ogerien, 1863
  • niger Hermann, 1804
  • orientalis (Wagner, 1841)
  • orientalis Dybowski, 1922
  • signatus Cabrera, 1907

The following is what MSW lists for subspecies of C. lupus (http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14000738):

  • SUBSPECIES lupus
  • SUBSPECIES albus
  • SUBSPECIES alces
  • SUBSPECIES arabs
  • SUBSPECIES arctos
  • SUBSPECIES baileyi
  • SUBSPECIES beothucus
  • SUBSPECIES bernardi
  • SUBSPECIES campestris
  • SUBSPECIES chanco
  • SUBSPECIES columbianus
  • SUBSPECIES crassodon
  • SUBSPECIES dingo
  • SUBSPECIES familiaris
  • SUBSPECIES floridanus
  • SUBSPECIES fuscus
  • SUBSPECIES gregoryi
  • SUBSPECIES griseoalbus
  • SUBSPECIES hattai
  • SUBSPECIES hodophilax
  • SUBSPECIES hudsonicus
  • SUBSPECIES irremotus
  • SUBSPECIES labradorius
  • SUBSPECIES ligoni
  • SUBSPECIES lycaon
  • SUBSPECIES mackenzii
  • SUBSPECIES manningi
  • SUBSPECIES mogollonensis
  • SUBSPECIES monstrabilis
  • SUBSPECIES nubilus
  • SUBSPECIES occidentalis
  • SUBSPECIES orion
  • SUBSPECIES pallipes
  • SUBSPECIES pambasileus
  • SUBSPECIES rufus
  • SUBSPECIES tundrarum
  • SUBSPECIES youngi

We really need to update our Caniformia articles to reflect MSW3. - UtherSRG (talk) 17:35, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Updating taxonomy

I will be updating the Canidae taxonomy and common names to match Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed, 2005) as follows:

I will hold off for a few days for comments. Since I'm posting this in multiple places, please contact me on my talk page if you have any concerns. I'll wait a week to give folks time to comment. -

[edit] Confusing sentence

Biologists have cited possibly flawed scientific logic in opposing aerial hunting and the citizens of Alaska have twice voted against it.

There is a double negation in only a part of this sentence. Is this a typo? / What does the sentence really mean? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.212.75.6 (talk) 20:23, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

I discovered that the reference for the source supporting that statement was repeated with a different reference. I corrected that and I changed the wording[1]. Basically, it means that the citizens of Alaska are voting agaisnt aerial hunting in spite of the biologists saying that it's ok to make aerial hunting. Hope that cleared it up. --Enric Naval (talk) 03:06, 27 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Possible copyright problems

Some portions of the article, notably the entire section "Body language" and "Howling", also exist on "wolfcountry.com" [2], . That page has no copyright info. What to do? 81.227.116.46 (talk) 15:31, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Wolf Atruism

I believe there is evidence of both intraspecies altruism -- feeding an injured fellow wolf, for example -- and also cases of wolves helping humans. I believe children being raised by wolves has been documented.

I saw on tv -- but have no link to -- a story of a man who was caught in extreme cold while seeking help when his car stalled. He told of a shewolf coming to him and allowing him to warm himself in her fur. An amazing story if true.Jrm2007 (talk) 17:56, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

"I believe there is evidence of both intraspecies altruism -- feeding an injured fellow wolf, for example -- and also cases of wolves helping humans. I believe children being raised by wolves has been documented."

It's a popular theme in folklore and mythology, but currently, the only properly documented case is that of Amala and Kamala.

"I saw on tv -- but have no link to -- a story of a man who was caught in extreme cold while seeking help when his car stalled. He told of a shewolf coming to him and allowing him to warm himself in her fur. An amazing story if true."

Last I heard, Wolf's Rain is not true. Dark hyena (talk) 13:05, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

No, not an anime but a real person who claimed this happened to himJrm2007 (talk) 01:36, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Pictures of black wolves

I've noticed there are no pictures in wiki commons on black wolves. I find this strange, as black wolves are fairly common in the Northern territories and Alaska. I was planning on replacing the "blended pelage" picture with one composed of three wolf colour varieties. The "blended pelage" one I feel does not do justice to wolf diversity. Wolves are hardly uniform. Dark hyena (talk) 22:27, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Surprisingly good behaviour

I must commend you people. I thought the info I had provided on maneating and wanton killing would have caused an uproar, whether they were sourced or not. Dark hyena (talk) 12:47, 21 May 2008 (UTC)