Did Scientists Resurrect a Dire Wolf or Just Create Colossal Hype?
A "dire wolf" in its enclosure
Post Author - Ellis Nolan
In a recent and controversial development in the field of genetic modification, researchers at Colossal Biosciences claim they have successfully bred three specimens of the dire wolf: a species of American wolf that has been extinct since the early Holocene Epoch, about 10,000 years ago.
Romulus and Remus, the "dire wolf" pups
The two eldest of the supposed dire wolf pups, named Romulus and Remus (both males), are each about 4 feet long and weigh around 80 pounds. Once they reach maturity, these wolves will probably be around five feet long and 150 pounds; dire wolf fossils reflect that the species grew, on average, to the size of a large gray wolf, a common contemporary species.
Similar to the “wooly mice” introduced by Colossal earlier last month, these animals don’t actually have any historical dire wolf DNA. Their genes were edited from gray wolves’ to reflect the characteristics gleaned from dire wolf fossils. This genetics breakthrough is yet another step on Colossal’s goal of creating a living Wooly Mammoth using edited Asian elephant DNA, however, many scientists have voiced concerns over their creations.
First, Romulus and Remus live on a roughly 2,000-acre plot, complete with an attached veterinary center, dens, and a large fence that keeps the pups in and other critters out. While this might sound like the sweet life, in the wild, wolves much more commonly travel in packs of more than 15 in areas spanning many miles. Mammoths may present a similar problem since their closest living relative, the Asian elephant, travels almost 40 miles on a daily basis, in herds of 20 or more individuals. Are the scientists setting these animals up for a cramped, lonely existence?
Researchers believe the new techniques could help preservation efforts
Beyond the care for these animals, experts disagree with Colossal’s argument that what they made is an authentic dire wolf. First off, while the company was able to edit gray wolf DNA to adjust the wolves’ appearance, experts say equally important is how the wolves would have acted in their environment compared to today’s wolves, which is impossible to glean from fossils or DNA. Experts also warn that the cloning techniques used by Colossal have had many negative consequences for the animals being cloned, including birth defects and miscarriages.
Regardless, scientists are hopeful that this burgeoning technology will be used to curb species on the brink of extinction from falling off, as Colossal has with species such as the red wolf. One needs not look far to see where human intervention in natural events has gone awry.
Interested in dire wolves? Check out our dire wolf fossil specimens here, no genetic modification involved!
Featured Product
Dunkleosteus - Skull Fossil Fragment
Latest News
-
Aug 14, 2025 Learn About Iron Age Mummy Tattoos! Read More -
Jul 29, 2025 Scientists Discover First Ever Ancient Roman Trilobite! Read More -
Jul 23, 2025 The Hollywood Sign: The Story of a City's Symbol Hollywoodland Read More -
Jul 20, 2025 Denver Museum Finds Dinosaurs in their Backyard! Read More -
Jul 17, 2025 Building Disneyland Read More -
Jul 10, 2025 Neolithic Vegetarians: Learn About the Wooden Tools Used by Early Humans! Read More
Cool Things!
Learn About Iron Age Mummy Tattoos!
Tattoos have been a popular form of individual and societal expression for centuries around the world, making them a focal point of study for anthropologists and archaeologists. Unfortunately, the oldest examples are rarely preserved well enough for deep study, since skin usually decomposes before fossilization. In one recent case, however, new technology allowed researchers to draw new conclusions about the tattoos of one fascinating specimen: a well-preserved mummy.
Scientists Discover First Ever Ancient Roman Trilobite!
It’s well known among archaeologists that the ancient Romans had a reverence for fossils. For example, it is thought they believed mammoth bones and teeth were those of dragons and cyclopes, and thus, these items were often displayed in places of power. However, researchers in Spain recently uncovered an exceedingly rare Roman fossil artifact from an unlikely place.
Denver Museum Finds Dinosaurs in their Backyard!
For patrons of a popular Denver museum, newly discovered dinosaur fossils are quite literally in their backyard!
Specimen Deep Dives
The Hollywood Sign: The Story of a City's Symbol Hollywoodland
Building Disneyland
When the Sky Split in Two: The Tunguska Event
Long Form Articles
The Artist Behind the Macintosh: Susan Kare and Apple Computers
While the two Steves, Jobs and Wozniak, are the most well known faces behind Apple computers, equally important to the products and culture of the company were those who crafted the experience of using their computers through design. The most notable of these visual architects was Susan Kare, a designer responsible for “humanizing” Macintosh computers.
Can I Lick It? Yes You Can!
Have you ever been unable to tell if a fossil was really a fossil, but you were too embarrassed to admit it? Have you ever wanted to lick a fossil just because, but you didn’t want to risk judgment from your peers? Well, good news! You can kill two birds with one stone! Licking a fossil can actually help you determine if it’s the real deal or just another rock.
Is It Legal To Own a Meteorite: How to Start Your Outer Space Collection!
Meteorites are some of the rarest geological specimens to be found on Earth. Of course, since these stones are not of our world, purchasing them can sometimes be a confusing process. Is it legal to own a meteorite? In short, yes! Read on for help starting your cosmic collection!