Alix Lippincott
Mr. Day
Biology B4
May 15, 2016
The Evolution of the Gray wolf
Every species has an evolution, the gray wolf is no different. They belong to the “Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Carnivora, Family: Canidae, Subfamily: Caninae, Genus: Canis and Species Lupus.” The gray wolf didn't start as a gray wolf it was originally a different animal that adapted overtime to become a gray wolf. The Reason for an animal adaption is mutation, natural selection, gene flow and genetic drift.
The earliest ancestor of a gray wolf are Miacidae and Miacis. The Miacidae lived from the Paleocene to the Eocene epochs. Defining characteristics of them were that they had little bodies and long tails. They always were carnivores and unlike modern day carnivores they did not have Carnassial. The Miacis the other ancestor of the gray wolf had similar …show more content…
It also has very good night vision and its vision is more sensitive to motion. A gray wolf’s hearing is about 20 times better than a human's. The gray wolf’s keen sense of smell, sight and hearing make it a very effective predator. Not only do gray wolfs have superior senses to humans, they have several physical traits that allow them to survive in harsh climates. Their fur is oily and densely layered, making it waterproof and the wolf’s thick coat keeps them warm during cold weather. Over time, the gray wolf and it ancestors have experienced numerous other physical adaptations that have allowed them to survive better. “They have very strong jaws that allow them to clamp down on their prey at 500 pounds per square inch and their back teeth can crush bones. They have sharp canine teeth that can shred their prey.” gray wolfs “have fleshy paws that provide them with good traction on slippery surfaces. A wolf’s feet also fan out, like a snowshoe, allow them good traction in the
Mr. Day
Biology B4
May 15, 2016
The Evolution of the Gray wolf
Every species has an evolution, the gray wolf is no different. They belong to the “Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Carnivora, Family: Canidae, Subfamily: Caninae, Genus: Canis and Species Lupus.” The gray wolf didn't start as a gray wolf it was originally a different animal that adapted overtime to become a gray wolf. The Reason for an animal adaption is mutation, natural selection, gene flow and genetic drift.
The earliest ancestor of a gray wolf are Miacidae and Miacis. The Miacidae lived from the Paleocene to the Eocene epochs. Defining characteristics of them were that they had little bodies and long tails. They always were carnivores and unlike modern day carnivores they did not have Carnassial. The Miacis the other ancestor of the gray wolf had similar …show more content…
It also has very good night vision and its vision is more sensitive to motion. A gray wolf’s hearing is about 20 times better than a human's. The gray wolf’s keen sense of smell, sight and hearing make it a very effective predator. Not only do gray wolfs have superior senses to humans, they have several physical traits that allow them to survive in harsh climates. Their fur is oily and densely layered, making it waterproof and the wolf’s thick coat keeps them warm during cold weather. Over time, the gray wolf and it ancestors have experienced numerous other physical adaptations that have allowed them to survive better. “They have very strong jaws that allow them to clamp down on their prey at 500 pounds per square inch and their back teeth can crush bones. They have sharp canine teeth that can shred their prey.” gray wolfs “have fleshy paws that provide them with good traction on slippery surfaces. A wolf’s feet also fan out, like a snowshoe, allow them good traction in the