The Honshu Wolf (Canis lupus hodophilax), also known as the Japanese wolf, was a subspecies of gray wolf endemic to the Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Extinct in the early 20th century, it remains a symbol of Japanese folklore and lost biodiversity.
The Honshu Wolf was the smallest known wolf, measuring only 50 to 60 cm at the withers and weighing 15 to 20 kg. It had a short coat of brown-red fur with gray tones, a bushy tail, and relatively short legs. Its muzzle was shorter than that of other wolves, giving it a slightly fox-like appearance.
The Honshu Wolf (Canis lupus hodophilax) belonged to the Canidae family. Here is its scientific classification:
This subspecies was genetically distinct from other Asian wolves and exhibited unique adaptations to its island environment.
The Honshu Wolf primarily inhabited the mountainous forests of the Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Its territory extended from coastal areas to alpine regions, where it hunted in dense undergrowth. Human expansion and deforestation gradually reduced its natural habitat.
Unlike its gray wolf cousin, the Honshu Wolf was rather solitary or lived in small family groups. Historical observations suggest it was less aggressive than other wolves and generally avoided confrontations with humans. It communicated through characteristic howls, higher-pitched than those of other wolves.
The Honshu Wolf was an opportunistic carnivore, feeding mainly on Sika deer, wild boar, hares, and small rodents. It supplemented its diet with berries and insects when meat was scarce. Its role as an apex predator helped regulate herbivore populations in Japanese forests.
The Honshu Wolf was declared extinct in 1905, due to several factors:
Today, efforts are being made to preserve the memory of this species and study its lost ecological role.
In Japanese folklore, the Honshu Wolf (called Ōkami) held an ambivalent place:
Many Shinto shrines are dedicated to it, such as the famous Mitsumine Shrine in Saitama.
The Honshu Wolf was genetically close to two other Asian subspecies:
Although declared extinct, unconfirmed sightings persist:
These reports, though not scientifically verified, fuel the romantic hope of the species' secret survival.
