Red wolf (Canis rufus). Formerly widespread across the south-central to eastern United States, it is now restricted to a very small area of North Carolina, and wild individuals are extremely few. It is small with relatively long legs and ears and short fur, and primarily preys on small to medium-sized mammals. It typically lives in family groups of about 5–8 individuals and is active at night and during dawn and dusk. Breeding occurs from winter through spring; litters of several pups are born at a time and are reared cooperatively. However, the species faces a severe crisis due to poaching, habitat destruction, and hybridization with other species, and conservation measures are ongoing.