MEXICAN GRAY WOLF

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MEXICAN GRAY WOLFCanis lupus baileyi

Conservation Status: Endangered

Part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP).

Vulnerability-_Endangered

CLASS

Mammalia

ORDER

Carnivora

FAMILY

Canidae

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General Characteristics

Color: 

Mix of buff, gray, red and black

Size:

4 ½ - 5 ½ ft snout to tail, 26 – 32 inches tall 

Weight:

60 – 80 lbs

Average Lifespan: 

5-6 years

Captive Lifespan:

15 years 

Distribution:

Once ranging from central Mexico to southwestern Texas, southern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona.

Habitat:

Mountain forests, grasslands and shrub lands.

Reproduction:

Mating: 

Mid February – mid March

Gestation/Incubation:

About 60 days

Litter/Clutch Size:

2-8 pups

Mature: 

1-3 years

Diet:

White-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and smaller mammals such as rabbits, ground squirrels and mice.

Behavior:

A pack averages 5-8 individuals.  Wolves use a sophisticated communication system consisting of vocalization, scent, and body posture.

Teaching Facts:

  1. Of the five North American subspecies, the Mexican wolf also known as “lobo” is the smallest in size.
  2. The USFWS is currently reintroducing wolves in southwestern Arizona and New Mexico. In 2020, the total number of wild wolves numbered 186.

Meet Our Wolves:

FLYNN Flynn was born April 24, 2014 at the California Wolf Center in Julian, CA.  Flynn’s litter was significant because of the Mexican wolves born that year, his was the only one that survived.  Flynn was the smallest of his littermates, and keeper notes describe him as shy, but curious.

Flynn arrived at Binder Park Zoo in November 2016 together with his brother Ryder. Ryder later transferred to Albuquerque Biological Park in New Mexico on a breeding recommendation, and Flynn received his own recommendation to breed with Isabella or “Izzy”.

ISABELLA or IZZY Born April 17, 2015 at the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, MO, Izzy was one of a litter of three. Izzy and her littermate Rachel transferred to Saginaw Children’s Zoo in December of 2016.  Izzy made the move to Binder Park Zoo in November 2018 on a recommendation to breed with Flynn. Izzy’s ability to jump high led zoo staff to increase the height of the wolf habitat enclosure by several additional feet.

LUCHADORA Luchadora was born on Father’s Day, June 16, 2019 at Binder Park Zoo. The lone female in a litter of four pups born to Flynn and Izzy, “Luchadora” was the only surviving member.