No. 017 · mammal · Risk: Low (rare encounters)
Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
In season · SeptemberMidwest / PlainsMountain West
- Field tell
- Larger and longer-legged than a coyote, travels in packs, howls rather than yips.
- Why it matters
- Not venomous — included as a trail hazard. Wolves generally avoid human contact.
- Habitat
- Forested wilderness and mountain terrain; established packs in the Northern Rockies and Great Lakes region.
- Season
- Active year-round, mostly nocturnal; more visible against snow in winter.
LARGE PREDATOR
If you encounter a mountain lion or wolf
- Do not run — running can trigger a chase instinct.
- Stand tall, raise your arms, and open your jacket to appear larger.
- Speak firmly in a loud voice and maintain eye contact; back away slowly without turning your back.
- Pick up small children without bending down or crouching.
- If attacked, fight back with whatever is at hand — rocks, sticks, or a backpack as a shield.
Not medical advice. Call 911 or Poison Control 1-800-222-1222.
Related mammals
- Mountain Lion — Tan, unspotted coat; long tail with a dark tip. Sightings are usually brief, at a distance, near dawn or dusk.
- American Black Bear — Straight facial profile, no shoulder hump, short claws; color ranges from black to cinnamon.
- Grizzly / Brown Bear — Prominent shoulder hump, dish-shaped face, long claws; larger and more robust than a black bear.