| Steppe Wolf | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Canidae |
| Genus: | Canis |
| Species: | C. lupus |
| Subspecies: | C. l. campestris |
| Trinomial name | |
| Canis lupus campestris Dwigubski, 1804 |
|
| Synonyms | |
The Steppe Wolf (Canis lupus campestris) is a subspecies of grey wolf native to the pri-Caspian steppes, the steppe regions of the Caucasus, the lower Volga region, southern Kazakhstan north to the middle of the Emba, the northern pri-Urals, and the steppe regions of the lower European part of the former Soviet Union. It may also occur in northern Afghanistan and Iran and occasionally the steppe regions of Romania and Hungary.[1]
It is of average dimensions, weighing 35-40 kg (77-88 lbs), thus being somewhat smaller than the Eurasian wolf and its fur is sparser, coarser and shorter. The flanks are light grey, and the back is rusty grey or brownish with a strong admixture of black hairs. The guard hairs on the withers usually does not exceed 70-75 mm. The fur of steppe wolves in Middle Asia and Kazakhstan tends to have more reddish tones. The tail is poorly furred. The skull is 224-272 mm long and 128-152 mm wide.[1]
Steppe wolves occasionally surplus kill Caspian seals.[3]