It is the smallest gray wolf subspecies and a specialized xerocole (arid-adapted) animal that normally lives in smaller familial packs.

[7] A 2014 study suggests that genetically the Arabian wolf is closer to C. l. lupus than it is to C. l. pallipes and supports the subspecies designation C. l.

[14] The cranial length of the adult Arabian wolf measures on average 200.8 mm (0.659 ft), which is smaller than most wolves.

[17] They have a short thin coat which is usually a grayish beige color,[18] "... a mixture of black and slightly buffy grey" according to Pocock.

[19] Similar to other canines, the Arabian wolf does not have sweat glands and so it must control its body temperature by rapid panting, which causes evaporation from the lungs.

[23] Their native prey includes ungulates such as Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana), gazelles (Genus Gazella), and Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus onager), as well as smaller animals like hares, rodents, small birds, and reptiles.

[28] Because Arabian wolves can attack and eat any domestic animals up to the size of a goat, pastoral Bedouins and other farmers will often shoot, poison, or trap them.

It is proposed that this is a case of mutualism: the hyena could benefit from the wolves' superior ability to hunt large, agile prey.

[30] As with other wolf subspecies, Arabian wolves can facilitate a trophic cascade by suppressing smaller carnivores such as golden jackals (Canis aureus) and foxes (Genus Vulpes).

[32] Historically they also competed with the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), but this species is now extinct within the Arabian wolf's range.

[26] In Oman, wolf populations have increased because of a ban on hunting, and they may naturally re-establish themselves in certain places within the region in the relatively near term.