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Wolves are very important animals. They are integral to the ecosystems in which they live. Wolves help to control the wildlife population. Wolves are a top predator in the ecosystem in which they live. They are a keystone predator. A keystone species is a species that has a major effect on its environment, yet feels the least pressure. An example is the role of a keystone in an arch. It feels the least pressure of any of the stones, yet the arch would collapse without it. If the wolf was removed from the ecosystem, even though it is only one species, then there would be a dramatic shift in the ecosystem.

There are many subspecies of the wolf. It is believed that at one point there were up to around 50 subspecies. Now a widely accepted list has been shortened down to 13 living subspecies, 14 if you want to include the common dog, and two recently exticnct subspecies. This takes into account the anatomy, distribution, and migration of various wolf colonies.

Subspecies of Wolves

Arabian Wolf Critically endangered, Declining

Artic Wolf Stable

Caspian Sea Wolf Endangered, declining

Domestic Dog Stable

Eastern Timber Wolf At risk

Egyptian Wolf Critically endangerd, unknown

Eurasian Wolf Stable

Great Plains Wolf Stable

Hokkaido Wolf Exticnt

Honshu Wolf Exticnt

Indian Wolf Endangered, declining

Italian Wolf Endangered

Mackenzie Valley Wolf Stable

Mexican Wolf Critically Endangered

Russian Wolf Stable, Declining

Tundra Wolf Stable

Arabian Wolf	Critically endangered, Declining
Artic Wolf	Stable
Caspian Sea Wolf	Endangered, declining
Domestic Dog	Stable
Eastern Timber Wolf	At risk
Egyptian Wolf	Critically endangerd, unknown
Eurasian Wolf	Stable
Great Plains Wolf	Stable
Hokkaido Wolf	Exticnt
Honshu Wolf	Exticnt
Indian Wolf	Endangered, declining
Italian Wolf	Endangered
Mackenzie Valley Wolf	Stable
Mexican Wolf	Critically Endangered
Russian Wolf	Stable, Declining
Tundra Wolf	Stable