The gray wolf is a species of Canis.
Canis is a genus of canids containing multiple extant species , such as wolves , dogs and coyotes . The gray wolf or grey wolf ( Canis lupus ) , also known as the timber wolf or western wolf , is a canine native to the wilderness and remote areas of Eurasia and North America . Like the red wolf , it is distinguished from other Canis species by its larger size and less pointed features , particularly on the ears and muzzle .