Post by Lady Cattenborough on Oct 30, 2012 1:47:30 GMT -5
Here at Calic, we aim to be as accurate as possible.
Here we have a detailed, but not complete, list of wolf species, so that you can choose your characters' traits accordingly.
General information
In list form. How surprising.
The allowed species are as follows: All extant species of canis lupus, rufus and lycaon that existed between 1500 until 1750 - so both forms of Japanese wolves, British wolves and various Eurasian forms are allowed, as well as dingoes and feral dogs, but dire wolves, having been extinct before 1500CE, are not allowed at this date. However, if you wish to be a recently extinct species, you must show your research!
For all other extant canids, including coyotes, maned wolves, Ethiopian wolves et al, a species pass must be purchased. With this, you can be any canid, defined as an animal in the family canidae. (and yes, bush dogs and raccoon dogs are allowed under this due to scientific classification - all or none, right?).
The term "grey wolf" is ambiguous. It only really refers to the North American Mackenzie Valley Wolf, only one of 39 distinct subspecies, and the one most people visualise when you say "wolf" - despite the fact that the binomial species is the Eurasian wolf!
This list is by no means complete, but it is a list of the most common species I've seen roleplayed. Should you want more information, wikipedia is your friend.
Mackenzie Valley Wolf
The Mackenzie Valley Wolf is the most widespread wolf species in North America. It use to range all across the continent, but now, lives in Canada and parts of the United States.
Height range: 30-33" for a healthy individual, outstanding individuals no larger than 37". Site max is 37".
Weight range: Up to 100lbs (45kg) for males, and 90lbs (40kg) for females. Outstanding individuals may weigh up to 120lbs (55kg). Site max is 110lbs (49kg).
Fur colours and properties: Extremely dense, fluffy, wool-like fur with a heavy undercoat and coarse guard hairs. It can range from white, through ivory tones, to greys, reds, and browns. Keep in mind that black wolves only occur through hybridisation with domestic dogs, but this is frequent in North America, and is thus realistic.
Natural climate: These wolves existed in all areas of North America, but are best suited to cooler climates and snow.
Birth rate: Average litter size is 5-6 pups. Mortality can be as high as 60%.
The Eurasian Wolf[/u]
These are your wolves of fairytale. On average, they are larger than their North American cousins, with more tapered heads, longer ears and much more pronounced manes. They have less bushy faces, thinner hips and longer legs
Height range: 30-35" in a healthy individual. Outstanding wolves can be up to 39". Site max is 39".
Weight range: Up to 110lbs (50kg) for males, and 100lbs (45kg) for females. The heaviest ever verified was 190lbs (86kg) with larger weights on record, but outstanding individuals should weigh no more than 176lbs (80kg), and the site max is 150lbs (68kg).
Fur colours and properties: Fur is coarser and less wool-like than its American counterparts, with a thicker, heavier mane. In summer, it is more rusty or ochre-coloured, but ranges through reds, greys and browns, often with a lot of black along the back. Black patches on the legs are common. Important: White and black individuals are extremely rare in this subspecies. White wolves rarely occur without albinism, and black wolves almost don't exist. Please keep this in mind.
Natural climate: Throughout all of Europe and Asia, including warmer areas, but preferring mountainous ones.
Birth rate: 4-7 pups on average, mortality rate 40-60%.
The Tundra Wolf
I think this wolf might be more common than even the Mackenzie. It's weird. I don't get why. Data is somewhat lacking. It is often thought of as the biggest, but this isn't true.
Height range: 28"-33" (71cm-83cm). Site max is 36".
Weight range: Up to 108lbs (49kg) for males and 90lbs (41kg) for females. Site max is 115lbs (52kg).
Fur colours and properties: The fur is dense, woolly and thick, with a darker undercoat than overcoat. Colours range from white, through speckled white and grey.
Natural climate: Cold steppes and alpine areas, tundras and north forests.
Birth rate: 3-6 pups, up to 65% mortality rate.
Indian Wolf
Rarely, do I see them played - and I don't know why. These wolves are fascinating and quickly adapting to become urban wolves.
Height range: 20"-26" (50cm-66cm), outstanding individuals are 27" (68cm). Please note that even with height purchased, this species may NOT exceed 31" (71cm).
Weight range: Up to 40lbs (18kg) for a male and up to 35lbs (15kg) for a female. Even when purchased, it may not exceed 50lbs (22kg).
Fur colours and properties: The fur is thinner, with little or no undercoat. It is invariably more brown than its northern counterparts, ranging from brownish-cream to black-tipped brown. Its winter fur is considerably longer, but still short, comparatively.
Natural climate: The warm steppes of India and Pakistan, scrubs, forests and sub-temperate mountains.
Birth rate: 3-5 pups, up to 60% mortality.
Mexican Wolf
These fellows caused quite a stir when they started interbreeding with coyotes, making weird-looking, scrubby, grey animals people mistook for the chupacabra. In reality, they are much, much cooler.
Height range: 22"-28" (55cm-71cm) for a healthy individual. Please note that this species may not exceed 31" (78cm) even with height bought.
Weight range: Up to 82lbs (37kg) for males and 77lbs (34kg) for females. They may not exceed 88lbs (39kg).
Fur colours and properties: The fur is shorter than the Mackenzie, often browner. The white fur has a more reddish tint to it. It has coarser, less woolly fur than its northern counterparts.
Natural climate: Desert and scrub, dry mountain ranges and dry forest.
Birth rate: 3-6 pups, up to 60% mortality.
Arabian Wolf
An unusual species, in that it neither lives in packs (instead, pairs or small groups of three or four) and it is not known to howl. the middle two toes on their paws are fused, a trait once thought to be exclusive to painted dogs. It is a curious and wonderful subspecies, and sorely underrepresented.
Height range: 20"-26" (50cm-66cm). This species may not exceed 29" (73cm)
Weight range: Up to 40lbs (18kg) for males, and 35lbs (15kg) for females. This species may not exceed 50lbs (22kg)
Fur colours and properties: Short, thin fur, although fur is long on the back throughout the year. Its winter coat is longer, but still comparatively short. The colours are similar to the Indian wolf, but generally paler.
Natural climate: Hot, scrubby areas of the Iberian peninsula.
Birth rate: 2-4 pups, up to 60% mortality.
Both a species, and a subspecies - this is debatable, as it is considered traditionally to be a grey wolf. Genetic evidence suggests otherwise, and I tend to side with it over tradition.
Red Wolf
It is also suggested that the red wolf is a hybrid species, the midpoint between grey wolves and coyotes. It's interesting to think about, as it is morphologically on the middle-ground.
Height range: 26"-31" (66cm-78cm). Site max is 35" (88cm).
Weight range: Up to 90lbs (41kg) for males and 80lbs (36kg) for females. The average is 54lbs (24kg) and the site max is 100lbs (45kg)
Fur colours and properties: Mostly long and slate coloured, with black along the back and coarse, not at all fluffy and woolly.
Natural climate: Pine barrens and temperate woods.
Birth rate: 3-7 pups, up to 60% mortality.
Most closely related to the red wolf, genetic testing now puts the Eastern wolf or Eastern timber wolf as its own species. It used to be widespread, and is now confined to small areas of Canada.
Height range: 28"-32" (71cm-81cm), site max is 33" (83cm) and they may not exceed 35" (88cm).
Weight range: Up to 95lbs (43kg) for males and 90lbs (40kg) for females. Site max is 105lbs (47kg)
Fur colours and properties: Generally redder than the Mackenzie wolf, greyish brown with black on the back and sides. It is somewhat woolly, but generally rather coarse. They can have an overall reddish colour to them.
Birth rate: 3-7 pups, 60% mortality.
Here we have a detailed, but not complete, list of wolf species, so that you can choose your characters' traits accordingly.
General information
In list form. How surprising.
- Pups are born in late spring or early summer. They emerge from the den at a month of age, and by three months, they are ready to assist in pack hunting.
- There is no real sexual difference in fur colour, but females may have redder tones.
- On this website, unless additional height is bought, your wolf may not exceed the max height listed for its species. For hybrids, PM myself or your local Roamer and we will calculate a likely maximum.
- If you want a wolf species that isn't listed here, go ahead and post its profile up anyway, but be aware that our fact-checking is rigorous.
The allowed species are as follows: All extant species of canis lupus, rufus and lycaon that existed between 1500 until 1750 - so both forms of Japanese wolves, British wolves and various Eurasian forms are allowed, as well as dingoes and feral dogs, but dire wolves, having been extinct before 1500CE, are not allowed at this date. However, if you wish to be a recently extinct species, you must show your research!
For all other extant canids, including coyotes, maned wolves, Ethiopian wolves et al, a species pass must be purchased. With this, you can be any canid, defined as an animal in the family canidae. (and yes, bush dogs and raccoon dogs are allowed under this due to scientific classification - all or none, right?).
The Grey Wolf
The term "grey wolf" is ambiguous. It only really refers to the North American Mackenzie Valley Wolf, only one of 39 distinct subspecies, and the one most people visualise when you say "wolf" - despite the fact that the binomial species is the Eurasian wolf!
This list is by no means complete, but it is a list of the most common species I've seen roleplayed. Should you want more information, wikipedia is your friend.
Mackenzie Valley Wolf
The Mackenzie Valley Wolf is the most widespread wolf species in North America. It use to range all across the continent, but now, lives in Canada and parts of the United States.
Height range: 30-33" for a healthy individual, outstanding individuals no larger than 37". Site max is 37".
Weight range: Up to 100lbs (45kg) for males, and 90lbs (40kg) for females. Outstanding individuals may weigh up to 120lbs (55kg). Site max is 110lbs (49kg).
Fur colours and properties: Extremely dense, fluffy, wool-like fur with a heavy undercoat and coarse guard hairs. It can range from white, through ivory tones, to greys, reds, and browns. Keep in mind that black wolves only occur through hybridisation with domestic dogs, but this is frequent in North America, and is thus realistic.
Natural climate: These wolves existed in all areas of North America, but are best suited to cooler climates and snow.
Birth rate: Average litter size is 5-6 pups. Mortality can be as high as 60%.
The Eurasian Wolf[/u]
These are your wolves of fairytale. On average, they are larger than their North American cousins, with more tapered heads, longer ears and much more pronounced manes. They have less bushy faces, thinner hips and longer legs
Height range: 30-35" in a healthy individual. Outstanding wolves can be up to 39". Site max is 39".
Weight range: Up to 110lbs (50kg) for males, and 100lbs (45kg) for females. The heaviest ever verified was 190lbs (86kg) with larger weights on record, but outstanding individuals should weigh no more than 176lbs (80kg), and the site max is 150lbs (68kg).
Fur colours and properties: Fur is coarser and less wool-like than its American counterparts, with a thicker, heavier mane. In summer, it is more rusty or ochre-coloured, but ranges through reds, greys and browns, often with a lot of black along the back. Black patches on the legs are common. Important: White and black individuals are extremely rare in this subspecies. White wolves rarely occur without albinism, and black wolves almost don't exist. Please keep this in mind.
Natural climate: Throughout all of Europe and Asia, including warmer areas, but preferring mountainous ones.
Birth rate: 4-7 pups on average, mortality rate 40-60%.
The Tundra Wolf
I think this wolf might be more common than even the Mackenzie. It's weird. I don't get why. Data is somewhat lacking. It is often thought of as the biggest, but this isn't true.
Height range: 28"-33" (71cm-83cm). Site max is 36".
Weight range: Up to 108lbs (49kg) for males and 90lbs (41kg) for females. Site max is 115lbs (52kg).
Fur colours and properties: The fur is dense, woolly and thick, with a darker undercoat than overcoat. Colours range from white, through speckled white and grey.
Natural climate: Cold steppes and alpine areas, tundras and north forests.
Birth rate: 3-6 pups, up to 65% mortality rate.
Indian Wolf
Rarely, do I see them played - and I don't know why. These wolves are fascinating and quickly adapting to become urban wolves.
Height range: 20"-26" (50cm-66cm), outstanding individuals are 27" (68cm). Please note that even with height purchased, this species may NOT exceed 31" (71cm).
Weight range: Up to 40lbs (18kg) for a male and up to 35lbs (15kg) for a female. Even when purchased, it may not exceed 50lbs (22kg).
Fur colours and properties: The fur is thinner, with little or no undercoat. It is invariably more brown than its northern counterparts, ranging from brownish-cream to black-tipped brown. Its winter fur is considerably longer, but still short, comparatively.
Natural climate: The warm steppes of India and Pakistan, scrubs, forests and sub-temperate mountains.
Birth rate: 3-5 pups, up to 60% mortality.
Mexican Wolf
These fellows caused quite a stir when they started interbreeding with coyotes, making weird-looking, scrubby, grey animals people mistook for the chupacabra. In reality, they are much, much cooler.
Height range: 22"-28" (55cm-71cm) for a healthy individual. Please note that this species may not exceed 31" (78cm) even with height bought.
Weight range: Up to 82lbs (37kg) for males and 77lbs (34kg) for females. They may not exceed 88lbs (39kg).
Fur colours and properties: The fur is shorter than the Mackenzie, often browner. The white fur has a more reddish tint to it. It has coarser, less woolly fur than its northern counterparts.
Natural climate: Desert and scrub, dry mountain ranges and dry forest.
Birth rate: 3-6 pups, up to 60% mortality.
Arabian Wolf
An unusual species, in that it neither lives in packs (instead, pairs or small groups of three or four) and it is not known to howl. the middle two toes on their paws are fused, a trait once thought to be exclusive to painted dogs. It is a curious and wonderful subspecies, and sorely underrepresented.
Height range: 20"-26" (50cm-66cm). This species may not exceed 29" (73cm)
Weight range: Up to 40lbs (18kg) for males, and 35lbs (15kg) for females. This species may not exceed 50lbs (22kg)
Fur colours and properties: Short, thin fur, although fur is long on the back throughout the year. Its winter coat is longer, but still comparatively short. The colours are similar to the Indian wolf, but generally paler.
Natural climate: Hot, scrubby areas of the Iberian peninsula.
Birth rate: 2-4 pups, up to 60% mortality.
The Red Wolf
Both a species, and a subspecies - this is debatable, as it is considered traditionally to be a grey wolf. Genetic evidence suggests otherwise, and I tend to side with it over tradition.
Red Wolf
It is also suggested that the red wolf is a hybrid species, the midpoint between grey wolves and coyotes. It's interesting to think about, as it is morphologically on the middle-ground.
Height range: 26"-31" (66cm-78cm). Site max is 35" (88cm).
Weight range: Up to 90lbs (41kg) for males and 80lbs (36kg) for females. The average is 54lbs (24kg) and the site max is 100lbs (45kg)
Fur colours and properties: Mostly long and slate coloured, with black along the back and coarse, not at all fluffy and woolly.
Natural climate: Pine barrens and temperate woods.
Birth rate: 3-7 pups, up to 60% mortality.
The Eastern Wolf
Most closely related to the red wolf, genetic testing now puts the Eastern wolf or Eastern timber wolf as its own species. It used to be widespread, and is now confined to small areas of Canada.
Height range: 28"-32" (71cm-81cm), site max is 33" (83cm) and they may not exceed 35" (88cm).
Weight range: Up to 95lbs (43kg) for males and 90lbs (40kg) for females. Site max is 105lbs (47kg)
Fur colours and properties: Generally redder than the Mackenzie wolf, greyish brown with black on the back and sides. It is somewhat woolly, but generally rather coarse. They can have an overall reddish colour to them.
Birth rate: 3-7 pups, 60% mortality.