Any one of several species of wild and savage carnivores
   belonging to the genus Canis and closely allied to the common dog. The
   best-known and most destructive species are the European wolf (Canis
   lupus), the American gray, or timber, wolf (C. occidentalis), and the
   prairie wolf, or coyote. Wolves often hunt in packs, and may thus
   attack large animals and even man.