The Iberian Wolf

The wolf of the Iberian Peninsula is a sub-species of the European Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) and is known as Canis lupus signatus.

Rather smaller and lighter than the Grey wolf, signatus is 70-80 cm high at the shoulder and weight 30-35 kg.

The colour of its pelage runs from almost white through grey and grizzled to various shades of brown. There are russet patches behind the ears and lighter patches on the muzzle and throat.

The eyes are oblique and the colour of topaz.

It is rare to see wolves.

However, (...) it 's surmised that between 1500 and 1700 survive in the Iberian Peninsula, between 150 and 200 of these being found in Portuguese territory.

In Portugal the wolf is fully protected by the national law 90/88."