Dire Wolf

Dire wolves were real animals that lived during the Ice Age. They were bigger and stronger than today's gray wolves. They lived in North and South America. Dire wolves went extinct about 13,000 years ago.

Bigger Than Today's Wolves

Dire wolves were about 5 feet long and weighed up to 150 pounds. They were about 25 percent heavier than modern gray wolves. Their jaws were stronger and their teeth were bigger. Scientists think they could crush bones easily. They hunted large animals like bison and horses.

Pack Hunters

Dire wolves hunted in packs just like modern wolves. Many dire wolf fossils have been found together. Over 4,000 dire wolf fossils have been found at the La Brea Tar Pits alone. Despite their name, scientists recently discovered they were not closely related to modern wolves at all.

Fun Facts

• Over 4,000 dire wolf fossils have been found in the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
• Despite the name, dire wolves were not actually close relatives of modern wolves.
• DNA studies show dire wolves were so different they could not breed with gray wolves.

Did You Know?

A 2021 study found that dire wolves were not true wolves at all! Their DNA showed they belonged to a completely separate group of animals that just looked like wolves. Scientists now give them their own unique category.