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The 'Arabian wolf' (''Canis lupus arabs'') is a mammal of the order carnivora. It is a subspecies of Gray Wolf which was once found throughout the Arabian Peninsula, but now only lives in small pockets in Israel, Oman, Yemen, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

Contents

Features and adaptations

Diet

Current status

In culture

References

Features and adaptations

The Arabian wolf is a small, desert adapted wolf. Their ears are proportionately larger in relation to body size when compared to other species, an adaptation needed to disperse body heat. Also, Arabian wolves do not live in large packs, and instead hunt in pairs or in groups of about three to four animals. This subspecies is unusual, as it is not known to howl.^[1]. 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.

Diet

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, or trap them. Arabian wolves also feed on hares, rodents, ungulates, and any carrion they can find.
Arabian wolves will hunt small to medium sized animals such as cape hares, Dorcas Gazelles and ibexes, though they will feed on carrion and livestock when in the vicinity of human settlements.
^[2]

Current status

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.
In Israel, there are between 100 and 150 Arabian wolves all over the Negev and the Ha'arava.

In culture

The wolf was frequently mentioned in the Scriptures as an enemy to flocks (Sirach 13:21; Matthew 7:15), and an emblem of treachery and ferocity, and bloodthirstiness. The tribe of Benjamin, owing to its warlike character, was compared to a wolf.

References

1. Of wolves and men, Lopez, Barry, , , , 1978, ISBN 0743249364
2. Group Size and Home Range of the Arabian Wolf (Canis lupus) in Southern Israel