The Dire Wolf became extinct from Earth about 10,000 years ago. These powerful animals lived and hunted in North America. Climate change and food shortages are mainly responsible for their extinction. Also, competition from other predator species also made their survival difficult.
Recently in April 2025, a biotech company “Colossal Biosciences” claimed that they have brought the Dire Wolf back to life with gene editing and cloning technology. According to the company, they created three puppies: Khaleesi, Romulus, and Remus by taking DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull.
However, experts have questioned this claim. They say that these are actually genetically modified gray wolves, which have some Dire Wolf-like qualities (such as a large head and white fur), but they are not real Dire Wolf.
Did Dire Wolves Just Come Back From Extinction?
‘World’s first de-extinction’: Colossal Biosciences has achieved a remarkable feat by successfully reviving the dire wolf, an extinct species that vanished 12,500 years ago.
This achievement was made possible by editing the genes of the gray wolf to resemble the extinct dire wolf genes. However, real dire wolf DNA was used only as a reference.
Dire wolves, which ranged across North and South America in the Late Pleistocene period, preyed primarily on large herbivores. When these prey disappeared, the dire wolf also slowly went extinct.
Dire wolves have found new recognition in pop culture such as “Game of Thrones,” but they have also been cultural icons for centuries in communities such as America’s MHA Nation.
Colossal took DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old ear bone and edited 20 gene sites to create 6-month-old Romulus and Remus, who weigh about 80 pounds. Khaleesi is tiny now, but will soon join the pack.
Is Fenrir a Dire Wolf
Yes, in Norse mythology, Fenrir is known as a huge and fearsome wolf, sometimes associated with a species such as the Dire Wolf. Fenrir is the son of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angrboda and is also related to Hel and Jörmungandr (the World Serpent). Many people had this question in mind is Fenrir a Dire Wolf?
Fenrir’s Role:
Fenrir is seen as a great threat to the gods. Due to his hugeness and strength, the gods were afraid to control him.
Fenrir’s Size and Power:
He was a giant wolf whose power was so fearful that the gods bound him with special magical chains and put a sword in his mouth.
Fenrir’s Destiny:
According to the prophecy, at the time of Ragnarok (the end of the gods) Fenrir will be freed from his chains, kill Odin, and then Odin’s son Vidar will kill him.
Fenrir’s Name:
‘Fenrir’ means ‘dweller of the swamp’. Swampy areas were considered unlucky in Norse culture.
Fenrir’s Role in Ragnarok:
During Ragnarok, Fenrir will not only swallow Odin, but the entire world will be engulfed in fire due to his devastation.
Dire Wolf size comparison
Dire Wolf vs Gray Wolf – Detailed Size Comparison
Dire wolves were also large in size – they grew up to be about 3.5 feet tall and 6 feet long and weighed up to 150 pounds. Both Dire Wolf and Gray Wolf lived in North America at the same time, but there were several important differences in their size and structure:
1. Height at the shoulder:
Dire Wolf and Gray Wolf – Both were about three feet (about 90 cm) tall.
That is, both were almost equal in height.
2. Weight:
Dire Wolf: Weighs about 130 to 150 pounds (about 60–70 kg).
Gray Wolf: Weigh an average of 80 to 100 pounds (about 36–45 kg).
Meaning: Dire Wolf was about 25% heavier than Gray Wolf.
3. Head Size:
Dire Wolf’s head, in proportion to the body, was much larger and stronger than Gray Wolf’s.
Its large head and powerful jaws helped it to catch large prey and chew their bones.
4. Length:
The length of the Dire Wolf from nose to tail was about 5 to 6 feet (about 1.5 to 1.8 meters).
Of this, the tail alone was about 18 inches (about 45 centimeters) long.
The gray wolf is also tall, but the strength and heaviness of the Dire Wolf make it more scary. So this was the complete Dire Wolf size comparison.
