Dire Wolves really existed - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

ras'matroi · 28th August 2007, 12:52 PM

I don't know if anyone of you has ever heared of it before ...

I just came across this interesting little fact while reading a book about wolves and since they are named the same ...

It seems that the Dire Wolf (Canis dirus) became distinct about 10 000 years ago, alsong wit a lot of other large animals of that time like eg. mammoths. The oldest bones that were found untill today are about 800 000 years old.

The Dire Wolf was larger than the 'normal' wolf, had shorter legs, a smaller brain and was according to several sources not that fast a runner.
But he had larger theeth.

Well, it is probably just a coincidence that GRRM named his wolves dire wolves.

Here is the wikipedia article on them.

TK-421 · 28th August 2007, 02:51 PM

Not likely. He probably read about them or saw them in a museum and said to himself: "That's way cooler for the Starks than just regular old wolves!"

Aegon the Unworthy · 28th August 2007, 03:16 PM

Dire Wolves are a staple of fantasy literature. JRR Tolkein has his wargs, D&D and its offshoots had Dire Wolves, and Im sure theres dozens of examples out there so I dont think its a far stretch for George to place them in his world. And as TK said, they are far cooler than normal wolves, plus they fit the primitive, cold, northern environs of Westeros quite well.

Boaz · 28th August 2007, 06:42 PM

ras, good find. Near the bottom, the article references ASOIAF.

In AGOT, GRRM describes his Direwolves as having longer legs and bigger heads than normal wolves. I don't think it's a stretch to say that GRRM wants his direwolves to be smarter than normal wolves.

scalem X · 28th August 2007, 07:34 PM

Of course, in the end names in fantasy don't correspond to our definitions. Same goes for example for orcs/elves. Get a cool name, then give it even cooler features.

purple_kathryn · 29th August 2007, 06:07 PM

All the better to eat you with my dear!

TK-421 · 29th August 2007, 09:22 PM

The Giants who went to battle for Mance Rayder rode Whoolly Mammoths.

The Shadowcats may also be based on Sabre-Toothed Tigers.

All, we need are Giant Sloths...oh wait we have a few of those around here on the forum

Lubbock · 4th September 2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK-421

The Giants who went to battle for Mance Rayder rode Whoolly Mammoths.

The Shadowcats may also be based on Sabre-Toothed Tigers.

All, we need are Giant Sloths...oh wait we have a few of those around here on the forum

I re<yawns>cent thZZZzzzzzZzzzZZzzzz

Boaz · 5th September 2007, 06:18 AM

Welcome Lubbock.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lubbock

I re<yawns>cent thZZZzzzzzZzzzZZzzzz

Funny.

28th August 2007, 12:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
ras'matroi Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 138	Dire Wolves really existed I don't know if anyone of you has ever heared of it before ... I just came across this interesting little fact while reading a book about wolves and since they are named the same ... It seems that the Dire Wolf (Canis dirus) became distinct about 10 000 years ago, alsong wit a lot of other large animals of that time like eg. mammoths. The oldest bones that were found untill today are about 800 000 years old. The Dire Wolf was larger than the 'normal' wolf, had shorter legs, a smaller brain and was according to several sources not that fast a runner. But he had larger theeth. Well, it is probably just a coincidence that GRRM named his wolves dire wolves. Here is the wikipedia article on them. Last edited by ras'matroi; 28th August 2007 at 12:53 PM. Reason: forgot the link

28th August 2007, 02:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
TK-421 I Do Not Sow Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,513	Re: Dire Wolves really existed Not likely. He probably read about them or saw them in a museum and said to himself: "That's way cooler for the Starks than just regular old wolves!"

28th August 2007, 03:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Aegon the Unworthy Opinionated Procastinator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 711	Re: Dire Wolves really existed Dire Wolves are a staple of fantasy literature. JRR Tolkein has his wargs, D&D and its offshoots had Dire Wolves, and Im sure theres dozens of examples out there so I dont think its a far stretch for George to place them in his world. And as TK said, they are far cooler than normal wolves, plus they fit the primitive, cold, northern environs of Westeros quite well.

28th August 2007, 06:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Boaz Thaphireth! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,628	Re: Dire Wolves really existed ras, good find. Near the bottom, the article references ASOIAF. In AGOT, GRRM describes his Direwolves as having longer legs and bigger heads than normal wolves. I don't think it's a stretch to say that GRRM wants his direwolves to be smarter than normal wolves.

28th August 2007, 07:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
scalem X I am, the scallywag Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,415	Re: Dire Wolves really existed Of course, in the end names in fantasy don't correspond to our definitions. Same goes for example for orcs/elves. Get a cool name, then give it even cooler features.

29th August 2007, 06:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
purple_kathryn Uberly purple Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: UK: NORTHERN IRELAND: Posts: 306	Re: Dire Wolves really existed All the better to eat you with my dear!

29th August 2007, 09:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
TK-421 I Do Not Sow Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,513	Re: Dire Wolves really existed The Giants who went to battle for Mance Rayder rode Whoolly Mammoths. The Shadowcats may also be based on Sabre-Toothed Tigers. All, we need are Giant Sloths...oh wait we have a few of those around here on the forum

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