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The micropygmy wolf (cannis lupus pusillus), better known as the tiny wolf, is a subspecies of grey wolf found mainly in northern Europe. Not much is known of the origins of the micropygmy wolf, it is thought to be native to forests throughout northern Europe, and has adapted well to urbanisation and is now often found in trees, pot-plants and vines (with the exception of grapevines, to which it, like domestic dogs, is allergic). Unlike other species of wolf, the micropygmy wolf does not appear so often in folk-lore or literature, and has historically been overlooked by the scientific community.

Micropygmy wolves are about 7-10 cm (3-4 inches) in height, and weigh between 3-5kg (6-11lbs), although this varies from region to region. Adult micropygmy wolves have soft, short fur, are white/grey in colour and can appear silver, they have a single stripe down their backs which extends from mid-shoulder to the tip of the tail, this stripe changes colour depending on diet, black, pink, green, and orange stripes have all been recorded. Micropygmy wolf puppies are often green to blend into their natural environment, before turning white around the age of six months. The howl of a tiny wolf is so high-pitched that it is inaudible to human ears, however, domestic canines are very good at hearing the sound and almost always respond. This can often look to humans as ‘barking at nothing’.

Unlike larger varieties of wolf, tiny wolves are vegetarian. Although their main food sources are berries, seeds, and potatoes, they are natural scavengers. Overeating sugar can cause micropygmy wolves to become aggressive, and they have been observed stealing sweets from pick and mix displays, which why the lids must be kept on the dispensers at all times.

Like larger wolves, micropygmy wolves are social animals and family packs generally consist of a mated pair, and the pair’s offspring. Average pack size is 5-11 wolves, packs consisting of three or four families living together are not unusual. In ideal conditions, mated pairs produce puppies every year, with pups staying with the pack for around 18 months before separating from the pack. Micropygmy wolves have been known to abandon young orphaned or abandoned wolf puppies into the pack though this is unusual.

Micropygmy wolves do not have large territories, generally up to 10km2 in forest or rural areas, and less than 3km2 in urban environments. This is assumed to be because of the relative ease of finding food in these areas. Micropygmy wolves are typically settled, but may move to new terratories if there is a lack of food or if they feel threatened. In recent years there has been a notable increase in movement amongst micropygmy wolves as they are increasingly threatened by humans.

Micropygmy wolves defend their territories from other packs through a combination of scent marking, and howling. Unless provoked, micropygmy are generally docile, and direct attacks are their final act of defence. Scent marking is their primary means of territorial advertisement, and primarily involves ground scratching. Markings are generally left every 2-3 metres throughout the territory around ground level. Markings are small and easy to miss when searching for tiny wolves.