There are lots of fun facts about gray wolves. Did you know that:

• The gray wolf - Canis lupus - is the largest wild member of the dog family.
• Gray wolf and timber wolf are two names for the same thing.
• The gray wolf and domestic dog share a common ancestry.
• Gray wolves live in a variety of habitats including forests, grasslands, deserts and tundra and are found on three continents, North America, Europe and Asia.
• Gray wolves hunt, steal and scavenge for food. They hunt in packs and feed on large hoofed mammals such as elk, deer, moose and caribou as well as small prey like beaver and rabbit.
• Gray wolves have two layers of fur. The top layer repels water and dirt; the thick undercoat keeps the gray wolf warm.
• Not all gray wolves are gray in color. Gray wolves can be white, brown, black and cinnamon too.
• The gray wolf's large size, broad snout, large feet and short ears distinguish it from coyote, fox and other wolves.
• Gray wolves are gregarious. They live, feed and hunt in packs from 2 to 36 members in size.
• Gray wolf packs have a highly developed social order. A dominant pair, alpha male and alpha female, lead each wolf pack.
• Gray wolves are predators not prey.