There are two universally recognized species of wolves in the world: the gray (Canis lupus) and the red (Canis rufus). The gray wolf, Canis lupus, lives in the northern latitudes around the world.
There are five subspecies, or races, of the gray wolf in North America and seven to 12 in Eurasia. Red are larger than coyotes and smaller than gray. They are buff-colored or brown with some black along their backs. The backs of their ears, head, and legs are often tinged with a reddish color.
Key Takeaway
- Females are often called she-wolves.
- The term ‘bitch’ is less used due to its negative connotations.
- Wolfette, Wolfness, and Wolftrix are non-scientific terms used in various contexts.
There is no specific name for a female, but sometimes they are referred to as she-wolves. Together with the alpha male, the female leads the wolf pack. A female wolf is usually called like that if there’s a good reason to explicitly state her sex, or “the female”, as in “the female stays with the pups while the male hunts”.
The last molars are used for pulverizing and grinding food. Even more extraordinary is a wolf’s sense of smell – up to 100,000 times greater than human beings’. Under the right conditions a wolf can smell something up to 300 yards to 1 mile away. Their hearing is excellent also.
Bitch is sometimes used, but is more commonly used for dogs. This term hasn’t been used in the science literature recently. There’s also a very old term, wolfen, but that isn’t used in any text published more recently than the 1970s and even then it was seen as archaic. Now, it’s more likely to bring to mind the Albert Finney film: Wolfen (film).
Wolves are pregnant for about 63 days and usually birth four to six pups. The wolf pups are usually born in a den. At birth, they cannot see or hear and weigh about one pound. The pups are weaned at about six weeks.
The term “bitch” is the technical term for all canine females, although given the word’s recent adoption as an insult with negative connotations. That’s why she-wolf probably became more popular. The same word is also used for an old-times ornament worn by women over the hair knot, this has gone out of fashion in the modern trends.
The other terms (like Wolfette, Wolfness, and Wolftrix) might be used in various cultural, fictional, or colloquial contexts, but they do not have a basis in scientific nomenclature or the study of wolves.
| Terms | Context |
|---|---|
| Wolfen | Used in fiction and folklore to describe something wolf-like. May also refer to the 1981 horror film “Wolfen,” involving wolf-like creatures. |
| Wolfette | A diminutive or affectionate term for a female wolf is likely used in casual speech, fandoms, branding, or as a fictional character name. |
| Wolfness | Describes the essence or qualities of being a wolf. Used conceptually to discuss animal behavior, in literature, or philosophical discussions. |
| Wolftrix | A creative or niche term without widespread recognition, potentially used in fiction, games, or online communities to denote a specific wolf-related character or attribute. |
Wolves trot at 5 miles per hour, but they can run in short bursts at up to 35 miles per hour. They can travel as much as 30 miles per day while hunting for food.
FAQ
Is a female wolf called a Luna?
No. Luna is Spanish for the moon. Lupus means wolf in Latin, and the two words are slightly similar. Also, many werewolf genre authors have used the word Luna to describe the Alpha’s mate, usually the Alpha female of the pack.
Can wolves see color?
Wolves have two color receptors: blue and yellow, making them red-green color blind.
Can a man survive a wolf attack?
The best chance you have to survive an attack by a wolf is to get lucky. If they want to kill you, however, there isn’t much you can do. Running won’t work, fighting may get you some time but the best you can hope for is to try to injure it and then get away before bleeding out.
How many babies can a wolf have in a year?
A mother wolf can only have one litter per year, and pups are always born in the spring
Is the alpha wolf a female?
In most wolf packs, there will be an alpha male and female and frequently an omega male and female. In wolf hierarchy, the males tend to dominate other males and the females dominate other females so that there is generally a low-ranking member of each sex.
What is the name of a male wolf?
The name is simply, wolf or male wolf. The parent wolves in a non-captive wolf pack are incorrectly referred to as the alphas.
What does the female wolf represent?
The worship of the she-wolf as a symbol of fertility has ancient origins, probably dating back to early matriarchal societies.
