Post by Deleted on May 18, 2015 6:07:53 GMT
Dire Wolf Appearance
Researchers only feel certain about the bone and body structure of the Dire Wolf's appearance as they uncover thousands of Dire Wolf skeletons encased in our Earth's own historical museum. These complete and well-preserved skeletons can tell us definitively about the size, weight and overall shape of the Dire Wolf but cannot determine ear height, typical coat coloring, length and texture of fur, or eye color. What we know regarding those physical traits we can only speculate based upon a thorough examination of what scientists know about carnivore survival through mother nature's natural selection. However, through Isotopic Analysis we can learn about the Dire Wolf's eating habits which directly affects how the Dire Wolf can use its massive body to effectively hunt and thus acquire the build needed to maintain such a diet. By also analyzing the diverse body structure of domesticated dog breeds, we can speculate with some degree of certainty about other habits that may have had an effect on the Dire Wolf's appearance compared to its close cousin, the Gray Wolf.
Bone and Skeletal Structure
The Dire Wolf stood just over 2 feet tall (between 25 to 30 inches) and weighed on average 110 pounds with a maximum weight of 150 pounds (although some sources indicate from 125 to 175 lbs.). The larger bone set of the Dire Wolf compared to Gray Wolves living today would have created a much broader, stockier and denser animal. The feet of the Dire Wolf were larger with a notable splay enough to carry the heavy frame. The Dire Wolf's head is most significantly unique in that it was much broader, larger in size, and heavier than the typical Gray Wolf. Despite this increase in skull size, the Dire Wolf shows a smaller brain cavity. The length of the Dire Wolf from head to tail was around five to six feet.
Coat Color
Scientists have developed two theories for coat color in the Dire Wolf depending on where the Dire Wolf may have originated. During the Ice Age, the watery passage between the northern Siberian coastline and Alaska's closest shores was completely covered in a thick layer of ice. This would have allowed migrating animals free passage across the Bering Land Bridge. Researchers maintain that the Gray Wolf crossed this icy passageway arriving after the Dire Wolf already dominated the North American landscape. It is entirely possible that the Dire Wolf also took this convenient route earlier and set up residence long before the Gray Wolf emerged onto the scene.
Another intriguing theory exists, however. Since the Dire Wolf population dominated the Gray Wolf 10 to 1, we could come to the conclusion that the Dire Wolf emerged from a completely different location. Some researchers speculate that the Dire Wolf came from South America, migrating north until reaching the chilly tundra surroundings of North America. As Dire Wolf skeletons have also been found in parts of South America, this is entirely possible.
These two migration theories pose an intriguing mystery and two coat color hypotheses begin to emerge. It is generally believed that the Dire Wolf was the direct descendent of the Armbruster's Wolf (Canis armbrusteri) while the modern Gray Wolf is descended from the Hare-eating Wolf (Canis lepophagus). Thus, the Dire Wolf is a completely different species from the Gray Wolf, much like the coyote or jackal. The diversity of these two wolf species would allow for a greater variety of coat texture and coloring. With the possibility that the Dire Wolf migrated north from South America, this prehistoric mammal could have possessed more of the reverse colored look of the South American Maned Wolf. The legs of the Dire Wolf would then have been darker than the body, which would have had a more subtle banded coloration. On the other hand, if the Dire Wolf traveled along the Bering Land Bridge as did the Gray Wolf afterwards, then the Dire Wolf could have more closely resembled the Gray Wolf in color.
Dire Wolf and Gray Wolf Comparisons
(WIP)
Researchers only feel certain about the bone and body structure of the Dire Wolf's appearance as they uncover thousands of Dire Wolf skeletons encased in our Earth's own historical museum. These complete and well-preserved skeletons can tell us definitively about the size, weight and overall shape of the Dire Wolf but cannot determine ear height, typical coat coloring, length and texture of fur, or eye color. What we know regarding those physical traits we can only speculate based upon a thorough examination of what scientists know about carnivore survival through mother nature's natural selection. However, through Isotopic Analysis we can learn about the Dire Wolf's eating habits which directly affects how the Dire Wolf can use its massive body to effectively hunt and thus acquire the build needed to maintain such a diet. By also analyzing the diverse body structure of domesticated dog breeds, we can speculate with some degree of certainty about other habits that may have had an effect on the Dire Wolf's appearance compared to its close cousin, the Gray Wolf.
Bone and Skeletal Structure
The Dire Wolf stood just over 2 feet tall (between 25 to 30 inches) and weighed on average 110 pounds with a maximum weight of 150 pounds (although some sources indicate from 125 to 175 lbs.). The larger bone set of the Dire Wolf compared to Gray Wolves living today would have created a much broader, stockier and denser animal. The feet of the Dire Wolf were larger with a notable splay enough to carry the heavy frame. The Dire Wolf's head is most significantly unique in that it was much broader, larger in size, and heavier than the typical Gray Wolf. Despite this increase in skull size, the Dire Wolf shows a smaller brain cavity. The length of the Dire Wolf from head to tail was around five to six feet.
Coat Color
Scientists have developed two theories for coat color in the Dire Wolf depending on where the Dire Wolf may have originated. During the Ice Age, the watery passage between the northern Siberian coastline and Alaska's closest shores was completely covered in a thick layer of ice. This would have allowed migrating animals free passage across the Bering Land Bridge. Researchers maintain that the Gray Wolf crossed this icy passageway arriving after the Dire Wolf already dominated the North American landscape. It is entirely possible that the Dire Wolf also took this convenient route earlier and set up residence long before the Gray Wolf emerged onto the scene.
Another intriguing theory exists, however. Since the Dire Wolf population dominated the Gray Wolf 10 to 1, we could come to the conclusion that the Dire Wolf emerged from a completely different location. Some researchers speculate that the Dire Wolf came from South America, migrating north until reaching the chilly tundra surroundings of North America. As Dire Wolf skeletons have also been found in parts of South America, this is entirely possible.
These two migration theories pose an intriguing mystery and two coat color hypotheses begin to emerge. It is generally believed that the Dire Wolf was the direct descendent of the Armbruster's Wolf (Canis armbrusteri) while the modern Gray Wolf is descended from the Hare-eating Wolf (Canis lepophagus). Thus, the Dire Wolf is a completely different species from the Gray Wolf, much like the coyote or jackal. The diversity of these two wolf species would allow for a greater variety of coat texture and coloring. With the possibility that the Dire Wolf migrated north from South America, this prehistoric mammal could have possessed more of the reverse colored look of the South American Maned Wolf. The legs of the Dire Wolf would then have been darker than the body, which would have had a more subtle banded coloration. On the other hand, if the Dire Wolf traveled along the Bering Land Bridge as did the Gray Wolf afterwards, then the Dire Wolf could have more closely resembled the Gray Wolf in color.
Dire Wolf and Gray Wolf Comparisons
| Dire Wolf | Grey Wolf | |
| Upper Canine Teeth Length | 3.175 cm | 2.619 cm |
| Skull Length | 29.5 cm | 25.1 cm |
| Jaw Width | Wider | Narrower |
| Head/Body Length | 4.1 ft. (125 cm) | 3.6 ft. (110 cm) |
| Height at Shoulders | 2.6 ft. (80 cm) | 2.6-2.8 ft. (80-85 cm) |
| Tail Length | 2 ft. (63 cm) | 1.5 ft. (45 cm) |
| Weight | 110 - 175 lbs (49.89 - 79.37 kg) | 75 - 125 lbs (34 - 56.69 kg) |
| Maximum Prey Size | 660 - 1317.8 lbs (299.37 - 597.74 kg) | ? |
| Bite Strength | 129% stronger |
Grey Wolf Skull Dire Wolf Skull
(WIP)
I have left FH behind and nowadays I mainly play Valorant. I hope everyone is doing okay and you're having great lives! <3