The
gray wolf or
grey wolf (
Canis lupus), also known as the
timber wolf or
western wolf, is a
canid native to the wilderness and remote areas of
North America and
Eurasia. It is the largest
extant member of its family, with males averaging , and females . Like the
red wolf, it is distinguished from other
Canis species by its larger size and less pointed features, particularly on the ears and muzzle. Its winter fur is long and bushy, and predominantly a mottled gray in color, although nearly pure white, red, or brown to black also occur. , 37
subspecies of
C. lupus are recognised by
MSW3.