Iberian Wolf
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Canis lupus signatus
Population size
2,160-2,880
Life Span
4-13 years
Top speed
65
40
km/hmph
km/h mph 
Weight
25-55
55-121
kglbs
kg lbs 
Height
70-90
27.6-35.4
cminch
cm inch 
Length
110-140
43.3-55.1
cminch
cm inch 

The Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus, or Canis lupus lupus, Spanish and Portuguese : Lobo ibérico) is a subspecies of Grey wolf that has been isolated from mixing with other wolf populations for over a century. The Iberian wolf forms the largest wolf population in Western Europe. Due to population controls and damage to livestock, Iberian wolves were, as of September 2021, the only Western European subspecies of wolf whose hunting remained legal, yet only in Spain. Nonetheless, very few hunting permits were given every year, strictly north of the Douro river. Along with the difficulty of their hunt by virtue of their vigilant nature and the rarity of their sightings, they were strongly desired by many European hunters as a big-game trophy.

Appearance

The Iberian wolf differs from the more common Eurasian wolf with its slighter frame, white marks on the upper lips, the dark marks on the tail, and a pair of dark marks in its front legs that give it its subspecies name, signatus ("marked"). There are identified two types of wolves living in Spain. In comparison, C. l. lupus has a pale, undefined stroke on the cheek that contrasts with the white on the throat while C. l. signatus has a white stroke on the cheek that joins the white throat and with a reddish snout.

Distribution

Geography

This subspecies is found in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, which includes northwestern Spain and northern Portugal. Four groups were identified in the Portuguese regions of Alto Minho, Alto Trás-os-Montes, and one group located south of the Douro River. Seven groups were identified in the Spanish regions of western Galicia, eastern Galicia, western Asturias, central Asturias, eastern Asturias, south-eastern Asturias, and Castilla y León. Iberian wolves inhabit forests, inland wetlands, shrublands, grasslands, pastures, and mountainous areas.

Iberian Wolf habitat map

Climate zones

Iberian Wolf habitat map
Iberian Wolf
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Habits and Lifestyle

Iberian wolves live, hunt, and travel in small packs. Each pack includes the alpha male and female with their young as well as older offspring. The alphas are the leaders of the pack, establishing the group's territory, selecting the den sites, tracking down, and hunting prey. Wolves live in close ties with the members of their pack, communicating with each other through a wide variety of calls, including barks, whines, howls, and growls. Wolves do not actually howl at the moon; they tend to howl when the night is lighter, which usually happens during the full moon. Other information about the behavior of Iberian wolves is scarce. In general, Grey wolves are nocturnal predators. They move around their territory when hunting, using the same trails for extended periods. They prefer moving at night, being able to travel up to 200 km (124 miles) per day. Throughout the year, wolves undergo stationary and nomadic phases: the stationary phase takes place in the spring and summer months, when they grow up young, while the nomadic phase lasts from autumn to winter.

Group name
Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Iberian wolves are mainly carnivores. They eat Wild boars, rabbits, Roe deer, Red deer, ibexes, and even small carnivores and fish. When such food is scarce, wolves may eat carrion and also prey on lizards, snakes, frogs, and large insects when available. Wolves in some areas may consume fish and even marine life. They also eat some plant material. In Europe, they eat apples, pears, figs, melons, berries, and cherries.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
PREGNANCY DURATION
60-63 days
BABY CARRYING
1-14 pups
INDEPENDENT AGE
8-10 weeks
FEMALE NAME
bitch
MALE NAME
dog
BABY NAME
pup, whelp

Little is known about the reproductive habits of Iberian wolves. Generally, Grey wolves are monogamous, mating for life until one of the mates dies, after which a new alpha male or female is determined, and the pair is re-established. Within a pack, only the alpha male and female breed. The female is responsible for digging a den, where she further gives birth and raises her pups. The gestation period lasts about 60-63 days, after which 1-14 helpless pups are born with an average of 6-7. For the first 45 days, all members of the pack participate in feeding the pups through regurgitation. The mother stays with the young for the first 3 weeks, after which the pups continue living in the den until they reach the age of 8-10 weeks. Females become reproductively mature at 2 years old, and males when they are 3 years old.

Population

Population threats

Iberian wolves are not considered threatened at present and their densities in some regions are among the highest in Europe. Until the 1930s, Iberian wolves were relatively spread throughout Portugal, but the destruction of habitat, loss of wild ungulates, and persecution by humans made them lose most of their territory. Although hunting is banned in Portugal, about 45% of wolf deaths are due to human activities, including illegal hunting. Sierra Morena is a system of rugged mountain ranges in the south of the Iberian Peninsula where a very small wolf population has lived in isolation for half a century. A breeding pair of wolves was last sighted in 2013, however, an extensive survey in 2016 could not find a breeding population. It is thought that as the population of these wolves declined, the inability to find a mate led to inbreeding and hybridization with dogs. The wolves in this region may now be extinct.

Population number

According to IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Iberian wolf is 2,160-2,880 individuals.

Ecological niche

Within their native range, Iberian wolves are considered to be beneficial because by preying on Wild boars they keep the population of this species stable; this allows some respite to the endangered capercaillie populations which suffer greatly from boar predation.

Coloring Pages

References

1. Iberian wolf Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_wolf

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