dire wolf: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Oct. 26, 2026

News •

Dire wolve genetic tech to help create 'warhounds' • Oct. 22, 2026, 8:27 PM ET (USA Today)

Happy Birthday, dire wolves. Could it be time to grow the pack? • Oct. 15, 2026, 11:09 AM ET (USA Today)

Facts

Also Known As	Aenocyon dirus • Canis dirus

Photos and Videos

Skulls of selected wolves and coyotes

A dark brown dire wolf skull in a museum box, with a lighter brown skull in the background.

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Topics

Pleistocene Epoch extinction wolf fossil gomphothere mammoth basilosaurid Simocetus Llanocetus denticrenatus sabre-toothed cat Phoberomys cave bear Enaliarctos woolly rhinoceros

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

Lion (panthera leo)

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The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is seen in Switzerland on December 2024

Animal Factoids

Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)

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