Wolves around North Pole and Fairbanks (Palmer: house, travel, work)

[RayinAK]

Every now and then, we have wolves coming into town and eating house pets (dogs, cats, etc.). This has been happening probably forever in Alaska, although years ago the news didn't travel as fast and widespread as it is today. We have had a few dogs devoured by wolves recently, and last week a wolf grabbed a 20-pound dog by the head and ran with it. The dog's owner heard the commotion and chased after the wolf, which dropped the dog. This dog was very lucky, since it survived to have another bark or two, except for a bite hole on the skull.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner » Archive » Bold wolves have residents on edge

[Dusty Rhodes]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Every now and then, we have wolves coming into town and eating house pets (dogs, cats, etc.). This has been happening probably forever in Alaska, although years ago the news didn't travel as fast and widespread as it is today. We have had a few dogs devoured by wolves recently, and last week a wolf grabbed a 20-pound dog by the head and ran with it. The dog's owner heard the commotion and chased after the wolf, which dropped the dog. This dog was very lucky, since it survived to have another bark or two, except for a bite hole on the skull.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner » Archive » Bold wolves have residents on edge

Since we didn't see wolves while we were there, just how big is the average Alaskan wolf?

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Dusty Rhodes

Since we didn't see wolves while we were there, just how big is the average Alaskan wolf?

I have seen some up close, and guessed perhaps 70 pounds maximum. However, I saw a very large black-color wolf while moose hunting a few years ago, and this one had to be way over 100 pounds. It was huge, and walked across my campsite about 75' away from me. I was standing by the fire, not moving, so maybe it didn't notice me. According to F&G, some can reach around 150 pounds.

[Dusty Rhodes]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

I have seen some up close, and guessed perhaps 70 pounds maximum. However, I saw a very large black-color wolf while moose hunting a few years ago, and this one had to be way over 100 pounds. It was huge, and walked across my campsite about 75' away from me. I was standing by the fire, not moving, so maybe it didn't notice me. According to F&G, some can reach around 150 pounds.

OK so what you're telling me is that, like members of the Genus "Canis" in general, specific Specie vary in size. Canis Familaris, The Dog, goes from teacup Chihuahua to mammoth St. Bernard. Canis Lupus, The wolf, has variation also, probably not as vast as Familiaris (I have trouble imagining a wolf the size of a chihuahua, being able to survive) 70# would be about the size of a normal lab. The 150# puts it in as about the same mass as a Great Dane, probably not as tall, although, Denmark is another subarctic country, the genetics for "tall" had to come from somewhere. But, in general, a large wolf would be the same size as my German Shepherd, somehow I don't think I want Dreifus to meet any of his ancestors. Thanks Ray, for the information.

[RayinAK]

You are correct. An average wolf would be similar in size to a German Shepherd.

Here is some information about wolves in Alaska:
Wolf: Wildlife Notebook Series - Alaska Department of Fish and Game

[warptman]

lost me on the wolfus howlius

[Dusty Rhodes]

Originally Posted by warptman

lost me on the wolfus howlius

Sorry about that Warptman, it's just the easiest way I know to refer to a specific animal ie. Lupus=wolf in latin, as in lupine, "wolf like", "Canus" is the latin word from which "Canine" is derived, Canine-Dog, Canis Familiaris (familiar) is the familiar form of canine or, Dog as a somewhat domesticated animal, (sometimes I wonder just how domesticated my female shepherd (Jorja) really is) suspect she is "canis semi-familiaris" or, an almost(or somewhat) domesticated dog. OOPS, Sorry, I digress, not a singular failing of mine, is one of my character flaws, a mind that side tracks easily. Right now, they are being quite well behaved, and I am sure that the deer I got last night and is hanging in the shed waiting to be cut into manageable portions has nothing to do with her new found "good behavior" that is the thing with Canus Familiaris, they learn how to act to get what they want.

[mal_flisk]

Dusty, my boss got me a t-shirt that may suit you better than me. It says, "My friends think I have ADHD, but I think they... hey, look, a chicken!" LOL

[Glitch]

The Mackenzie Valley Wolf (canis lupus occidentalis) also known as the Rocky Mountain Wolf, Alaskan Timber Wolf or Canadian Timber Wolf is perhaps the largest sub-species of Grey wolf in North America. They stand 32" to 36" at the shoulder and weigh between 100 and 150 pounds. Which would make them as large, or larger than a Great Dane. The heaviest wolf on record was captured in Alaska in 1939 and weighed 175 pounds. The largest dog breed, however, is the English mastiff, which commonly exceeds 200 pounds.

[Marty Van Diest]

But, I think most wolves will make short work of almost any dog. They kill for a living...

A good sized wolf walked down my brothers driveway on the outskirts of Palmer last year. It took a long look at his dog, about a 70 pound mutt, and then kept going back into the woods. The dog just barked once and watched him go.