The dire wolf went extinct 13,000 years ago. What to know about this colossal beast
A U.S. company has taken a step aimed at bringing the dire wolf back from oblivion. Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences has announced the birth of three genetically engineered wolf pups − all with striking white fur − created with the help of ancient DNA obtained from fossilized remains of the extinct animals.
What do we know about these prehistoric wolves?
Dire wolves went extinct roughly 13,000 years ago. Their skeletal remains have been found in North and South America, according to the National Park Service.
But many people were introduced the dire wolf by George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" fantasy book series, the basis for HBO's TV series "Game of Thrones."
Here's a look at what we know about the prehistoric species:
Where the dire wolves roamed 13,000 years ago
Along with saber-toothed cats and enormous short-faced bears, dire wolves were once among the most successful Ice Age predators, roaming widely across North and South America.
Dire wolf remains have been found as far north as Alaska and as far south as Mexico and coast to coast in the southern portions of the United States. Nearly 4,000 dire wolf fossils have been identified at California's La Brea Tar Pits.
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How big were dire wolves?
About 25% larger than modern-day gray wolves, dire wolves had thicker, more muscular legs, more powerful shoulders, and a wider head and snout with larger jaws and teeth. It stood about 3½ feet tall, could be longer than 6 feet and weigh up to 150 pounds.
Dire wolf skulls were significantly larger than gray wolves'
The dire wolf was very similar to the present-day gray wolf but was much heavier, with a larger, more robust skull. There is evidence the skulls were significantly enhanced for the attachment of strong muscular jaws.
The new dire wolves' growth cycle
Colossal Biosciences, the firm behind the genetic engineering project, said it provides 24-hour surveillance, veterinary assistance and development to the new wolf breed, including a specified diet that consists primarily of meats to assure optimum growth and care.
According to a Time magazine interview, Colossal keeps the newly born wolves in a secluded 2,000-acre ecological nature preserve in the United States surrounded by a 10-foot-tall fence to safeguard the animals.
How were they genetically engineered?
Colossal scientists extracted ancient DNA from two dire wolf fossils: a tooth from Sheridan Pit, Ohio, about 13,000 years old, and an inner-ear bone from American Falls, Idaho, roughly 72,000 years old.
Twenty genes of gray wolves were edited with this DNA to include dire wolf traits in gray wolf cells. Through cloning, embryos were created from the edited gray wolf cells, and these were implanted in surrogate domesticated dog mothers. Three different dogs gave birth to the pups.
CONTRIBUTING Reuters and Mike Snider