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are obviously wolves, although young animals may be mistaken
for Golden Jackals. At first glance wolves have the appearance of a
German Shepherd Dog, except that they are longer in the leg and have
large paws. Their fur is thick, except in animals from lower-lying hot
areas, and usually predominantly grey or grey-brown. A yellow-sandy
wash may be present.
Size Shoulder height 60–70 cm.
Weight 15–55 kg.
Habitat and Behaviour The Grey Wolf occupies a great range of
habitats, and in the region is only naturally absent from the heart
of the true deserts. Wolves are pack animals, with the size of groups
largely dependent on food availability. The units usually consist of
a family group, but solitary animals and pairs are encountered, for
example in parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Although it has been
claimed that wolves in Arabia seldom howl, this is not always the case.
We have heard wolves howling in southern Oman and elsewhere.
Favoured prey includes deer, antelopes, Wild Sheep and Goats, Wild
Pigs and domestic stock where natural prey numbers have been
depleted. Smaller prey such as hares and rodents, and even insects,
is hunted, and wolves will also raid rubbish dumps. In packs only the
dominant male and female usually breed. Pups are dropped in the
spring after a gestation of 62 days. Although 1–11 pups per litter
are on record, 6 appears to be the usual number. This animal is little
studied in the region.
Distribution and Status Small populations of the Grey Wolf remain
across Arabia, including a few animals in the Egyptian Sinai (<30), but
the Grey Wolf is extinct in the UAE and greatly reduced elsewhere.