Populations in Alaska are unlisted. Wolves range in color from grizzled gray or black to all-white. As the ancestor of the domestic dog, the gray wolf resembles German shepherds or huskies. The wolf is the largest member of the canine family. On average, wolves stand 26 to 32 inches at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 115 pounds.
Females are usually slightly smaller.
There are an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 wolves in Alaska and 2,700 in the lower 48 states. Around the world there are an estimated 200,000 in some 57 countries, compared to up to 2 million in earlier times. Wolves live eight to 12 years. Wolves can be found in forests, and on tundra, deserts, plains and mountains. Wolves normally prey on large hoofed mammals such as deer and elk but occasionally prey on smaller animals such as beavers or rabbits.