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    Iberian wolf

    Canis lupus signatus

    Wolves tend to be more active at night to avoid humans
    01

    Where are they located?

    Wolves were originally found throughout North America and Eurasia. Currently, the countries with the highest number of wolves are Canada and Russia, accounting for 70% of the world's population.

    The Iberian wolf population has never left the Iberian Peninsula and is specifically concentrated in northwestern Spain and northern Portugal. Iberian wolves are distributed over 135,000 km2 (80% in Spain and 20% in Portugal). Although some studies suggest that 55% of the Iberian Peninsula could be a good habitat for wild wolves, they are actually concentrated in 21% of the area.

    02

    What is its habitat?

    Iberian wolves choose wooded and rugged landscapes to escape from humans. However, they can live in any type of habitat, from mountainous areas to agricultural zones in central Spain.

    03

    Are they endangered?

    Threats to Iberian wolves include:

    • Hunting.
    • Illegal persecution (traps, poison, etc.).
    • Human-wildlife conflict. A lack of wild prey leads wolves to hunt free-range and unguarded livestock, bringing them into conflict with farmers, who may kill them.
    • Fewer wild ungulates as prey.
    • Media sensationalism.
    • Negative human perception, based on misinformation.
    • Free-roaming dogs without human control.
    • Forest fires.
    • Human infrastructure (roads, housing construction, etc.), leading to habitat loss and fragmentation.
    • Large fenced hunting estates and landscape management in many areas of southern Spain.
    • Canine diseases.

    Wolves are protected in Europe by the Bern Convention (EU 92/43/EEC). Iberian wolves are fully protected and classified as an endangered species in Portugal. In Spain, wolves are protected by international laws, but the protection framework is not effective throughout the territory due to the regional fragmentation of administration. Only in the territories south of the Duero River are they considered an endangered and fully protected species.

    Assessed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2018).
    Canis lupus signatus
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    Did you know…?

    The Latin name for the Iberian wolf, "signatus," means "marked" and refers to the markings on its lips, tail, and forelegs. However, the uniqueness of this wolf variety lies in the difference in the size of a molar.

    A wolf's hearing is 16 times more acute than a human's.

    Wolves need about 3 kg of meat per day, but they can fast for a few days when there is no food.

    Occasionally, wolves can run at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

    For more than a century, Iberian wolves have been isolated and, therefore, have not interbred with other wolf populations due to human persecution.

    Frequently asked questions
    How do you recognize each other?

    The Iberian wolf is a large mammal of the canid family found in Spain and Portugal. Its fur is usually brownish, but can vary from light gray to reddish brown.

    Its Latin nomenclature comes from the markings on its upper lips, tail, and front legs. However, the only distinguishing feature of Iberian wolves compared to other wolves is the size of a molar, according to its discoverer, Cabrera, a 20th-century zoologist. All subspecies of Canis lupus show similar characteristics in countries of southern latitudes.

    Differences between male and female

    There are no significant differences except for their body size. Males can weigh up to 40 kg, while females can reach 35 kg.

    Are there similar species?

    All wild gray wolves belong to the same species: Canis lupus. Currently, the Iberian population, scientifically named Canis lupus signatus, is geographically, but not genetically, isolated from other European wolf populations.

    How do they mate?

    The dominant male and female are the only members of the group that can reproduce. They are usually monogamous and often form a lifelong bond.

    The female comes into heat once a year, and mating coincides with this time. Gestation is around 60 to 65 days, and the young are born in a burrow dug by the female, in a cave, or in another type of den.

    When are they active?

    Wolves are usually more active at night to avoid humans. When not being hunted, they can be active in the morning or before sunrise or sunset.

    What do they feed on?

    Wolves, as apex predators, primarily feed on large wild ungulates such as deer, wild boar, chamois, and ibex, among others. Sometimes, they also feed on livestock carrion or human waste.

    About their young

    She-wolves give birth to 4 or 5 pups. The pups are born with their eyes closed and do not open them for the first 12 to 15 days of life. The female does not leave them at any time during the first 3 weeks, and the male and other members of the pack bring her food. The pups stay in the den until they are 8 or 10 weeks old. They are fed regurgitated food by the entire pack for the first 45 days, and that is when they begin to eat solid food. Most young wolves leave their birth pack when they are 2 or 3 years old.

    Do they have predators?

    Wolves are apex predators or alpha predators within the food chain, which means they have no natural predators and their population is maintained because they are highly territorial. In fact, the most common cause of death in the wild is competition among themselves. Currently, humans are the main threat to Iberian wolves throughout their territory.

    Communication and the Senses

    Body language is very important for individuals to communicate their rank within the pack. All wolves can use vocalizations to communicate with each other and to inform other groups about the extent of their territory.

    Wolves have a highly developed sense of smell, and they mark their territory with feces and urine to declare their status to other individuals. Wolves also have excellent hearing and good eyesight.

    What is its lifespan?

    The average life expectancy in the wild is very low, at 4 years. However, they can live up to 13 years.

    What is its population on the Iberian Peninsula?

    It is believed that there are about 297 breeding packs in Spain, and between 51 and 63 in Portugal. This means that the long-term conservation of the Iberian wolf depends on 700 mature adults.

    After a sharp population decline, Iberian wolves partially recovered in the 20th century. However, this trend has stalled due to a lack of effective protection in Spain.
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