Labrador wolf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Labrador wolf |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Canidae |
| Genus: | Canis |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
C. l. labradorius
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| Trinomial name | |
| Canis lupus labradorius Goldman, 1937
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| Historical and present range of gray wolf subspecies in North America | |
The Labrador wolf (Canis lupus labradorius) is a type of gray wolf. It lives in Labrador and northern Quebec in Canada. These wolves can be many colors, from dark gray to almost white. They are closely related to the Newfoundland wolf (C. l. beothucus), which is now extinct. The Labrador wolf is officially recognized as a subspecies of Canis lupus by scientists.
Contents
Labrador Wolf Facts
What is a Subspecies?
A subspecies is like a special group within a species. Members of a subspecies are similar to others in their species, but they have unique traits or live in a specific area. They can still breed with other members of their species.
Where They Live
The Labrador wolf's main home is in Labrador and northern Quebec. This area is known for its vast forests and open lands. It provides a good habitat for wolves and their prey.
Their Appearance
Labrador wolves can look quite different from each other. Their fur color can range from a dark, grizzly gray to a very light, almost white shade. This helps them blend into their surroundings.
History and Population Changes
In the early 1900s, there was too much hunting of Labrador wolves. Because of this, it became very rare to see them by the 1950s. Around that time, the number of caribou (which are a main food source for wolves) started to grow a lot. This increase in caribou then led to more wolves.
However, even with more wolves, there were still many caribou in the area. This made scientists think more about how much wolves actually control the caribou population.
Recent Sightings
In the late 2000s and early 2010s, people started seeing Labrador wolves again. Some of these sightings were on the island of Newfoundland. This was exciting because the Newfoundland wolf, a close relative, had disappeared.
In March 2012, a hunter on the Bonavista Peninsula shot a large animal. The hunter thought it was a coyote. But genetic tests later showed it was actually a Labrador wolf.
Later, in July 2012, a video was shared online. It showed an animal that looked almost exactly like a wolf. The video was taken by a special camera in Clode Sound, Terra Nova National Park. This camera was set up for a research project about river otters.
Then, on August 23, 2012, more news came out. The government department for environment and conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador shared genetic test results. These tests were from a large animal caught in 2009 on the Baie Verte Peninsula. The tests confirmed that this animal was also a Labrador wolf. These sightings show that the Labrador wolf might be returning to areas where it was once rare.
Images for kids
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A Labrador wolf in its natural habitat.
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Map showing the historical and present range of gray wolf subspecies in North America.
