What is the scientific name for the gray wolf?

The scientific name for the gray wolf is Canis lupus.

The name follows the two-part system of binomial nomenclature established in modern biology. Canis is the Latin word for “dog” and identifies the genus, while lupus is Latin for “wolf” and identifies the species. Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus formally described the wolf under this name in 1758.

Canis lupus includes the gray wolf and its recognized wild subspecies, such as the Arctic wolf and Mexican wolf. The species is native across large parts of Eurasia and North America and is the largest wild member of the dog family, Canidae. Wolves are closely related to domestic dogs, but the scientific classification of dogs and wolf populations has been revised repeatedly as genetic research has developed.

A common mix-up is Canis latrans, which is the scientific name for the coyote. Canis aureus refers to the golden jackal, while Canis familiaris is an older name historically used for the domestic dog. The gray wolf’s accepted species name remains Canis lupus.