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Red Wolf

Canis rufus

Mammal · family Canidae · order Carnivora

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G1: critically imperiled[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Red Wolf
Photo: Tim Ross, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Endangered (some populations)[1]
NatureServe global rank
G1 Critically Imperiled[2]
Native in
1 state[3]
Typical length
65 in[4]

The red wolf (Canis rufus) is a mammal in the dog family, Canidae[5]. It is listed as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act, and North Carolina is the one state where NatureServe lists it as native[1][3].

Conservation status

The US Endangered Species Act lists the red wolf as Endangered, a listing made on March 11, 1967[1]. A separate listing from November 19, 1986 covers an experimental population, marked Non-Essential, in parts of North Carolina and Tennessee[6]. NatureServe ranks the species G1 globally and N1 nationally, both meaning Critically Imperiled[2][7]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Critically endangered[8]. NatureServe estimates the total adult population at 1 to 50 individuals[9].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Endangered, listed March 11, 1967 (Wherever found, except where listed as an experimental population)
Endangered Species Act[6] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed November 19, 1986 (U.S.A. (portions of NC and TN see 17.84(c)(9)))
NatureServe global rank[2] G1 (Critically Imperiled)
NatureServe US rank[7] N1 (Critically Imperiled)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[8] Critically endangered
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] 1 to 50 individuals

Where Red Wolf lives

NatureServe lists the red wolf as native in 1 US state or territory, North Carolina[3]. NatureServe ranks it as extirpated or possibly extirpated, meaning gone from the state, in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia[10].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXMOKentucky: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXARTennessee: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S1NCSouth Carolina: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXOKLouisiana: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXLAMississippi: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXMSAlabama: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXALGeorgia: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXTXFlorida: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[11].
Show state ranks (16 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSXPresumed Extirpated
ArkansasSXPresumed Extirpated
FloridaSXPresumed Extirpated
GeorgiaSXPresumed Extirpated
IllinoisSXPresumed Extirpated
IndianaSXPresumed Extirpated
KentuckySXPresumed Extirpated
LouisianaSXPresumed Extirpated
MississippiSXPresumed Extirpated
MissouriSXPresumed Extirpated
North CarolinaS1Critically Imperiled
OklahomaSXPresumed Extirpated
South CarolinaSXPresumed Extirpated
TennesseeSXPresumed Extirpated
TexasSXPresumed Extirpated
VirginiaSXPresumed Extirpated

Habitat

NatureServe describes the red wolf as a habitat generalist, which means it can use many kinds of places[12]. The habitats it records include hardwood, conifer and mixed forests, woodlands, shrubland, grassland, wetlands and riparian areas, which are the green strips beside water[13]. Areas with heavy plant cover suit it, and young are born in a den such as a hollow log or a burrow[12].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size and diet

The red wolf is a carnivore that eats a variety of small and large animals, and it also eats carrion, which is the meat of animals that are already dead[14][15]. NatureServe lists rabbits, rodents, deer and birds among its foods[14]. A typical adult is about 165 cm (65 in) long[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[4] 165 cm (65 in)
Typical adult weight[16] 40.9 kg (90 lb)
Food habits[15] Carnivore, Piscivore, Invertivore
Migration[17] non-migrant

When to look for it

NatureServe records the red wolf as nocturnal, which means active at night[18]. It is a non-migrant, though populations can differ[17]. GBIF observation records in the United States are highest in January, February and March[19]. These records reflect when people look and report, not how many animals there are[19].

January: 73 recordsJanFebruary: 87 recordsFebMarch: 77 recordsMarApril: 56 recordsAprMay: 59 recordsMayJune: 46 recordsJunJuly: 36 recordsJulAugust: 29 recordsAugSeptember: 36 recordsSepOctober: 56 recordsOctNovember: 71 recordsNovDecember: 64 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[19].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January73
February87
March77
April56
May59
June46
July36
August29
September36
October56
November71
December64

Where to see it

This species is protected or at risk, so we show its range only at the state level. We do not publish parks, nesting, spawning or wintering sites.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, North Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana[20]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the red wolf endangered?
Yes. The US Endangered Species Act lists it as Endangered[1]. NatureServe ranks it Critically Imperiled worldwide[2].
Where does the red wolf live?
NatureServe lists North Carolina as the one state where it is native[3]. It is ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated in many other states, including Texas and Virginia[10].
What does the red wolf eat?
It is a carnivore with a varied diet that includes rabbits, rodents, deer, birds and carrion[14][15].
How big is a red wolf?
A typical adult is about 165 cm (65 in) long[4].
When is the red wolf active?
NatureServe records it as nocturnal, meaning active at night[18]. GBIF records are highest in January, February and March, but that shows when people report it, not how many animals there are[19].

Facts and sources

  1. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Red wolf has the status Endangered, listed March 11, 1967 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Wherever found, except where listed as an experimental population. States in the listed range: North Carolina. USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Red Wolf: G1 (Critically Imperiled). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Red Wolf as native in 1 US state or territory: North Carolina. NatureServe Explorer
  4. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 165 cm (65 in). NatureServe Explorer
  5. Red Wolf (Canis rufus) is a mammal in the family Canidae, order Carnivora. NatureServe Explorer
  6. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Red wolf has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed November 19, 1986 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: U.S.A. (portions of NC and TN see 17.84(c)(9)). States in the listed range: North Carolina. USFWS ECOS
  7. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N1 (Critically Imperiled). NatureServe Explorer
  8. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Critically endangered. NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 1 to 50 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe ranks Red Wolf as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe state ranks for Red Wolf (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on habitat for Red Wolf. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Red Wolf: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Grassland/herbaceous, Herbaceous wetland, Forested wetland, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on food for Red Wolf. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore, Piscivore, Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 40.9 kg (90 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe migration category for Red Wolf: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  18. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Nocturnal. NatureServe Explorer
  19. GBIF observation records of Red Wolf in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  20. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Red Wolf: Texas, North Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Tim Ross, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.