Broad chest, small pointed ears and long legs. The life span is roughly 6 - 10 years in the wild. They can live up to 18 years in captivity. Although the majority are tawny with cream chest and black markings on the shoulders, tail tip and near the base of the tail, there many variations in the colour including pure white and black. White and light-colored wolves are found in the arctic, while black and gray are common in the subarctic and boreal forest regions.
Gray phases prevail in the south.
The wolves in north-western Montana are predominantly gray or black. The coat consists of a dense layer of soft, fine fur topped by long guard hairs, which give the coat its color. The longest hair in the coat is found on the mane and this can be raised or lowered in cases of aggression or dominance. Patterns of color in facial hair accentuate their expressive features. The coat in Winter is thick to enable them to cope with the weather extremes.