The red wolf has a much smaller distribution that its grey counterpart. There may be only 100 left in the wild and they are critically endangered.

Life span
Red wolves live for an average of about 8-9 years in the wild, but can live for 14 years in captivity.

Statistics
Body length: 100-130cm Tail length: 30-42cm Standing height: 66-79cm Weight: 40kg

Physical description
The upper body-parts of the red wolf, are usually a mixture of cinnamon, buff or tawny with grey or black. The muzzle, ears, and other outer surfaces of the limbs are usually tawny. They have a black tail tip, short fur and relatively long legs and ears.

Distribution
Red wolves used to inhabit Central Texas to southern Pennsylvania and Florida, but are now extinct over much of their previous range. They were reintroduced to a wildlife refuge in North Carolina in 1988.

Habitat
Red wolves live in forests, swamps and coastal prairies

Diet
They feed on muskrats, rabbits, deer, hogs and carrion.

Behaviour
Red wolves are primarily nocturnal, but they may increase their daytime activity during the winter. The basic social unit is a mated, territorial pair and their offspring (which may be of the previous 2 or three years litters). Groups of 2-3 individuals are most common, though larger packs have frequently been reported.

Reproduction
Females have a gestation period of 60-63 days, after which they give birth to 4-7 cubs.

Conservation status
Red wolves are classified as Critically Endangered by the 2000 IUCN Red List.