CANIS LUPUS FLORIDANUS
The Florida black wolf (Canis lupus floridanus) is one of the subspecies of the grey wolf (Canis lupus). This canid was officially declared extinct in 1921, although it has not been seen in the wild since 1908. Its status was long controversial, as it was once considered a subspecies of the red wolf (Canis rufus). The Florida black wolf is also known as the Florida wolf or black wolf.
- Common name: Florida Black Wolf
- Scientific name: Canis Lupus Floridanus
- Other names: Florida wolf, Black wolf
- Specie: Grey Wolf
- Type: Mammals
- Diet: Carnivore
- Average size: 2,1 to 2,8 feet (height)
- Weight: 97 to 194 lbs
IS THE FLORIDA BLACK WOLF EXTINCT?
The Florida black wolf was officially declared extinct in 1921 although it hasn't been seen in the wild since 1908. This wolf quickly became extinct due to eviction from its habitat and hunting. As a threat to livestock, a bounty was promised for every Florida wolf hunted. Thus, the number of individuals of the species Canis lupus floridanus fell drastically until it disappeared completely in a short period of time.
These hunting campaigns carried out in the 1900s led to the extinction of other wolf species such as the Cascade Mountain wolf.
FLORIDA BLACK WOLF DESCRIPTION
The Florida black wolf was a medium-sized species, measuring between 2,1 to 2,8 feet (66 and 88 cm) in height and weighing between 97 and 194 lbs (44 and 88 kg). Its coat was generally black.🐺
FLORIDA BLACK WOLF HABITAT
He lived in the Maine and Ohio regions of Florida and Alabama. Records tell that this wolf could be seen near the St. Lucia River or the Indian River Lagoon.
FLORIDA BLACK WOLF BEHAVIOR
His lifestyle was more in family groups rather than packs. Contrary to the vast majority of wolf species, this predator preferred to hunt in small groups rather than with a pack composed of many individuals. Their diet was therefore mainly composed of small rodents that did not require a horde of wolves to hunt prey.🐀 Canis lupus floridanus also sometimes attacked deer.
WAS THE BLACK WOLF FLORIDA A COYOTE?
The black wolf of Florida was once considered a subspecies of the red wolf, which also lived in Texas. A subspecies of red wolf, known as the Florida red wolf, also lived in Florida but disappeared in 1921. It was believed that both species, instead of being a subspecies of the red wolf, were actually a type of coyote, which led to the change in the name of Canis Niger.
However, this change was invalidated by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature in 1957, and declared that the Florida black wolf and the red wolf and Gregor's red wolf (Canis rufus gregoryi) were in fact not related to each other.🧬
