The dire wolves from Game of Thrones did exist in real life. But what happened to them, and are they really back?
Long before fantasy shows turned the dire wolf into a mythical beast, it was a very real animal—one that roamed the grasslands and forests of North and South America during the Ice Age. Known scientifically as Aenocyon dirus, this ancient predator lived roughly between 125,000 and 10,000 years ago, disappearing just as the world was beginning to shift into the modern age.
Though it’s often compared to today’s grey wolf, the dire wolf was its own creature entirely. Heavier, with a stockier build and a more powerful bite, it was built to bring down large prey—think bison, horses, even ground sloths. Its skull and teeth were designed for crunching through bone, and while its legs were shorter than those of the grey wolf, that didn’t stop it from being a top predator.
Much of what we know about the dire wolf comes from fossil-rich sites like the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. These natural traps preserved thousands of animals, including over 4,000 dire wolf specimens. Clearly, they were once thriving across many ecosystems.
This undated photo provided by Colossal Biosciences shows two pups that were genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf. (Colossal Biosciences via AP)
A lone lineage
Recent DNA studies have turned the spotlight back on these creatures—and the findings are surprising. It turns out that the dire wolf wasn’t as closely related to modern wolves and coyotes as scientists once thought. In fact, they split off from a common ancestor over 5 million years ago, forming a completely separate branch of the canid family tree. This means that, even though they looked similar to grey wolves, dire wolves couldn’t interbreed with them.
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That genetic isolation might have played a role in their downfall. As the Ice Age ended, the climate changed, food sources dwindled, and new predators emerged. The dire wolf, adapted for hunting giant herbivores that were now disappearing, couldn’t keep up.
This undated photo provided by Colossal Biosciences shows Romulus and Remus, both 3-months old and genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf. (Colossal Biosciences via AP)
A possible comeback?
In a twist worthy of science fiction, efforts are underway to bring parts of the dire wolf back. Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company, has successfully used gene-editing techniques to create wolf hybrids that resemble the extinct species. These animals—named Remus, Romulus, and Khaleesi—were born with some of the size and features we associate with the dire wolf, like dense fur and a stronger frame.
They’re not exact replicas, but they represent a step toward understanding and potentially reviving some characteristics of extinct species. The three pups are now living in a carefully managed wildlife reserve where researchers can monitor how they grow, interact, and evolve.