10 Types Of Wolves In North America

Humans and wolves co-evolved, influencing each other’s development, a relationship that led to the domesticated dog. But what about the wolves that continued to live in the wild? Scientists once recognized 24 subspecies of wolves (Canis lupus) in North America. Some of them are now extinct, some of them are no longer recognized as distinct subspecies, and some might be separate species entirely. This article will cover 10 different types of wolves in North America, clarifying what we know and what we don’t about how they’re classified.

Eastern Wolf

The Eastern wolf (Canis lycaon or C. lupus lycaon) is a slightly built wolf, featuring grizzled brown or cinnamon-colored fur. Also known as the timber wolf and the Algonquin wolf, their populations are alarmingly low, with around 230 individuals remaining in the wild as of 2025. Timber wolves live in mixed forests throughout Eastern Canada, New England, and the Great Lakes Region of North America.

Physical characteristics and genetic evidence suggest that the Eastern wolf is the product of a relatively recent hybridization event between the grey wolf and the coyote. As a result, some biologists have argued that the eastern wolf is largely distinct from the grey wolf and should be considered a separate species entirely. Unfortunately, there is no real consensus about how it should be classified.

Red Wolf

Like the Eastern wolf, the red wolf (Canis rufus) is thought to have arisen from a cross between the grey wolf and the coyote. Its historical range once encompassed most of the Southeastern United States, but by the middle of the 20th century, its numbers had been dramatically reduced. The red wolf was officially declared extinct in the wild in 1980.

Following a successful captive breeding program in the 1980s, it was reintroduced into its native habitat. However, the IUCN Red List currently considers it to be a critically endangered species, with only 16 known individuals remaining in the wild as of February 2025. The only known wild population is located in Eastern North Carolina, primarily in and around the Pocosin Lakes and Alligator River National Wildlife Refuges. Taxonomically, the red wolf is still in a bit of limbo. Biologists have continued to debate whether the red wolf is a separate species or a subspecies of the grey wolf.

Mexican Wolf

The smallest of all the North American subspecies, the Mexican grey wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) was once widespread across Mexico and the Southwestern United States. It was considered to be an important cultural and spiritual symbol in some pre-Columbian Mexican cultures.

The Mexican wolf has long legs and a lanky body, which allows it to travel at high speeds. Estimates suggest that a minimum of 286 Mexican wolves remain in the wild in Arizona and New Mexico as of early 2025, with additional wild populations present in Mexico, all descended from a small group of captive-raised founders. All other remaining Mexican wolves are in captive breeding programs and wolf sanctuaries.

Arctic Wolf

Covered in luxurious all-white fur, the Arctic wolf (Canis lupus arctos) occupies the northern fringes of the Canadian Arctic islands. It is a strong and muscular medium-sized wolf, which can weigh up to 175 pounds, though most weigh closer to 125 pounds. Thanks to its extreme northern range, the Arctic Wolf has been spared persecution from humans. Arctic wolves survive in these extreme conditions by hunting muskox, caribou, and Arctic hares, seeking refuge from the hostile environment in caves and other natural shelters.

Great Plains Wolf

The Great Plains wolf (Canis lupus nubilus) was once among the most common wolves in North America. Its habitat range stretched across much of the central part of the continent, from Saskatchewan in the north to Texas in the south. After years of relentless hunting, however, it was declared to be officially extinct in 1926. Based on genetic analysis, some people claim that descendants still survive around the Great Lakes region, but this claim is hard to substantiate. A relatively large wolf, it could be identified by the light fur with some dark markings mixed in.

Rocky Mountain Wolf

The Rocky Mountain wolf (Canis lupus irremotus) was historically among the most common subspecies of the West. Sporting a mixture of white and black fur, this large wolf is sometimes divided into two separate subspecies: the Northern and Southern Rocky Mountain wolves. Historically protected by the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountain range, many were nevertheless killed in retaliation for preying upon livestock. There has been fierce debate about whether this wolf should still be afforded protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. Rocky Mountain wolves were reintroduced into parts of their former territory in Colorado in December 2023, where they remain under federal protection, while management in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming is under state jurisdiction.

Northwestern Wolf

The Northwestern wolf (Canis lupus occidentalis), also called the Mackenzie wolf or the Alaskan timber wolf, and Canadian timber wolf, is one of the most common wolves in North America. As the number of names suggests, this wolf has a large home range stretching between Alaska, the Mackenzie River Valley in Northwestern Canada, and down through Alberta and British Columbia, with a few established populations in the United States. In the 1990s, Canadian wolves were chosen for reintroduction into Yellowstone National Park over the other candidate populations in part because they were already venturing that way.

Northwestern wolves are large, powerful wolves with a thick coat of white and grey fur, sometimes shading into tan or blue. When hunting in packs, they can take down much larger prey. It’s estimated that 90% of their winter prey in Yellowstone consists of elk primarily, with bison and deer making up the remainder.

Vancouver Coastal Sea Wolf

The Vancouver coastal sea wolf (Canis lupus crassodon) is found in coastal habitats of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, feeding on salmon, marine mammals, and other seafood. Coastal wolves can travel between islands by swimming up to 7.5 miles at a time. Based on genetic analysis, some experts have argued that the Vancouver Island population is distinct enough to be classified as a separate subspecies.

Alexander Archipelago Wolf

Unique among many subspecies for its dark-colored coat, the Alexander Archipelago wolf (Canis lupus ligoni) is native to the coastal habitats of Southeast Alaska, around the island chain that bears its name, down to British Columbia. Conservationists have tried for decades to get the wolf classified under the Endangered Species Act. Logging, road construction, and climate-related changes represent possible population stresses. However, in August 2023, the US Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the Alexander Archipelago wolf does not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act, arguing that population numbers are currently stable and do not need additional protection.

Wolf Dog Hybrids

Because wolves and domesticated dogs are members of the same species, they have the ability to produce viable offspring. Many wolf hybrids end up in wolf sanctuaries or conservation centers because hybrid offspring often need specialized care. Wolf hybrids are largely ill-equipped to survive in the wild, and their legal status varies widely across the United States — some states ban them outright, while others require special permits.