Arabian wolf
| Arabian Wolf | |
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| File:Animals arabian wolf.jpg | |
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| Subspecies: | C. l. arabs
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| Trinomial name | |
| Canis lupus arabs Schreber, 1775
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| File:Present distribution of wolf subspecies arab.JPG | |
| Arabian wolf range | |
The Arabian wolf (Canis lupus arabs) is a subspecies of the Gray Wolf. It was once found throughout the Arabian Peninsula, but now only lives in small pockets in Oman, Yemen, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Smaller than their Eurasian or American cousins, Arabian wolves are distinguished by shorter-than-normal fur and a grayish-beige color. Also, Arabian wolves do not live in large packs, and instead hunt in pairs or in groups of about three to four animals. Like other wolves, the Arabian wolf's eyes are yellow, but many are found with brown eyes — a certain indication that a portion of the population is not of pure blood anymore and that their ancestors have interbred with feral dogs. This poses a very serious threat to the survival of this subspecies.
Arabian wolves will attack and eat any domestic animal up to the size of a goat. As a result, farmers will not hesitate to shoot, poison, and trap them. Arabian wolves also feed on hares, rodents, ungulates, and any carrion they can find.
In Oman, the wolf population has increased significantly since hunting was banned, and there is a strong possibility that they will naturally reestablish themselves in certain places within the region in the relatively near term.
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