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The Red Wolf is a distinct species of wolf native to the southeastern United States. They are medium-sized wolves, smaller than their close relatives, the Gray Wolves. Red Wolves have a reddish-brown coat with some black along their backs and white on their bellies. They typically weigh between 45-80 pounds and can reach lengths of up to 5 feet from nose to tail. Red Wolves are highly social animals, living in packs that consist of an alpha pair, their offspring, and sometimes unrelated members. These packs work together to hunt prey such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, and nutria. Red Wolves communicate using a complex system of howls, barks, and body language to establish hierarchy within the pack and coordinate hunting strategies. Historically, Red Wolves ranged across the southeastern United States from Pennsylvania to Texas. However, habitat loss, hunting, and hybridization with coyotes led to significant declines in their population, and by the mid-20th century, they were considered extinct in the wild. Thanks to conservation efforts, a captive breeding program was established, and Red Wolves were reintroduced into the wild in North Carolina in 1987. Today, there are estimated to be around 20-30 wild Red Wolves remaining, making them one of the most endangered canid species in the world. Red Wolves play an essential role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems by controlling populations of prey species and promoting biodiversity. As such, they are a valuable component of North America's wildlife heritage and deserving of our protection and conservation efforts.