Red wolf

This article is about the wild canine. For other uses, see Red wolf (disambiguation).

Red wolf
Temporal range: Holocene 10,000 years ago – present[1]
A red wolf showing typical coloration
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species:
C. rufus
Binomial name
Canis rufus
Subspecies

The red wolf (Canis rufus)[2][6][7] is a canine native to the southeastern United States. Its size is intermediate between the coyote (Canis latrans) and gray wolf (Canis lupus).[8]

The red wolf's taxonomic classification as being a separate species has been contentious for nearly a century, being classified either as a subspecies of the gray wolf Canis lupus rufus,[9][10] or a coywolf (a genetic admixture of wolf and coyote). Because of this, it is sometimes excluded from endangered species lists, despite its critically low numbers.[11][12] Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes the red wolf as an endangered species and grants it protected status.[3] Since 1996, the IUCN has listed the red wolf as a Critically Endangered species;[2] however, it is not listed in the CITES Appendices of endangered species.[13]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference nowak2002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Phillips, M. (2020) [errata version of 2018 assessment]. "Canis rufus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T3747A163509841. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T3747A163509841.en. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  3. ^ a b "Red wolf (Canis rufus)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  4. ^ 32 FR 4001
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference audubon1851 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference goldman1937 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference MDD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference paradiso1971 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference COL2018r was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference wozencraft2005 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference paradiso1972 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference woodward1980 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ "Appendices". CITES. Retrieved 2021-11-26.