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Honshu wolf |
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He is a wild animal |
Origin |
Japan | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
| The possession of this animal is not authorized |
| The Honshu wolf was identified in 1839 as the gray wolf subspecies Canis lupus hodophilax by Dutch zoologist Coenraad Temminck. It was also known as the Hondo wolf, the yamainu and the mountain dog. It lived on the Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, mainly in remote mountain areas. The Honshu wolf was the smallest wolf in the world, standing just over 30.5 cm at the shoulder and measuring 89 cm from nose to end of tail. They had short, stiff hair and a thin, dog-like tail that was rounded at the end. Their legs were shorter in relation to their body length. In many respects, it resembled dogs, coyotes and jackals much more than its Siberian wolf ancestors. Although currently classified as a subspecies of gray wolf, many argue that its physical differences are sufficient to consider the Honshu wolf its own species. Some believe it was never even a true wolf. The Honshu wolf was known for hunting deer, wild boar and small parasites. Farmers praised the wolf for reducing the number of animals that could damage their crops. Honshu wolves were abundant in Japan until 1732, when rabies was introduced to the island. It was rabies, deforestation of wolf habitat and conflict with humans that led to their extinction. The last specimen was officially killed in 1905 in Nara prefecture on Japan's Honshu island. Although many sightings have been made since then, none have been verified. There are five known mounted specimens today, three in Japan, one in the Netherlands and the last officially killed specimen in the British Museum. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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