The Dire Wolf (Canis dirus) was a large prehistoric canid that lived during the Late Pleistocene epoch, approximately 250,000 to 10,000 years ago. It was significantly larger than modern wolves, with robust jaws and teeth adapted for hunting large prey. Fossils have been found across North America, indicating that they roamed a variety of habitats. Unlike the modern gray wolf, the Dire Wolf is often associated with popular culture, particularly in the series Game of Thrones, where it is depicted as a fierce companion to the Stark family. However, the real Dire Wolf became extinct around the end of the last Ice Age, likely due to climate change and the decline of large herbivores.