❃ The dire wolf was a large, ferocious predator that once roamed the North American continent. These animals were much larger than today's wolves (though more of a dog than a wolf), with some specimens measuring over six feet in length from nose to tail.
❃ They had powerful jaws and sharp teeth, which they used to hunt down their prey. Dire wolves were apex predators, and their diet consisted mainly of large mammals such as bison, woolly mammoths, and giant sloths.
❃ The dire wolf went extinct around 10,000 years ago, and its exact cause is unknown. Some scientists believe that the animal succumbed to climate change, while others believe that overhunting by humans may have been a factor. However, it is likely that a combination of these factors led to the dire wolf's demise. That's our sneak peek at this big dog! If you want to learn more, visit our Dire Wolf blog for more info!