u/No-Weird-4201

Also brought a book with me to read between calls :)

First pic is a coyote, the rest is European wolves

Over the years as someone who is heavily involved with wolves, who has volunteered in zoos and sanctuaries, who is indigenous and have seen many trapped and hunted wolves in my community first thing I will say... wolves are not nearly as big or heavy as you guys think they are.

Many people (especially people who have never actually seen a wolf) always assume that wolves are like 200+lbs. This is just false. Largest ever officially recorded wolf was 170lbs. Those "stories" of 200+ pound animals are myths and they are NOT recorded. They are claims! With 0 evidence!

I'm from Manitoba Canada and I have NEVER EVER seen a male wolf here over 110lbs. Ever. I've seen MANY wolves after my community harvests during my life. Never seen one over 110. Females barely get over 85. They are TALL, they are not heavy. These animals even at that weight are intensely powerful animals. They appear a lot larger than they actually are!

Another thing, is how often so many of you are commenting "coyote" on a picture of a wolf!! Specifically European wolves! Many European wolves are browner than wolves in North America (I've seen many brown ones here too though).

Wolves can be every colour under the sun! Just because a wolf is brown or it looks smaller than what you assume a wolf is doesn't mean it's a coyote. Coyotes are 30lbs MAYBE soaking wet (depends on area too. Manitoba coyotes I've never seen one larger than 35). They're TINY. With MASSIVE ears and small noses.

Brown 🚫=coyote

Smaller animal 🚫 = coyote

I've even seen small female wolves at 60lbs!!

Wolves also look extremely different from one another depending on region etc. And are many sizes! Coyotes ONLY exist in North America. So if you see a picture of an animal in Europe and you think it's a coyote... well it's not.

Not to mention ALL wolves actually descend from the ones in Europe! Wolves evolved in Europe! And your doggy companions come from European wolves not North American ones! They're actually the exact same animal they just sometimes look different!

Another distinguishing feature of a wolf is they often have a "mask" around their eyes. Smaller ears, rounded snout, HUGE paws.

PAWS ARE ALWAYS A DEAD GIVEAWAY!!! As we say in my community "Wolves have clown shoes, coyotes have ballet slippers"

A yote paw is legit the width of your two fingers.