Wolf:
Wolves (Canis Lupus) are related to dogs or more rightly, dogs are actually related to wolves. Wolves and dogs are quite similar in many ways, however in most cases wolves are larger animals. Wolves generally have longer legs than dogs. Their life spans in the wild are 6-8 years. They communicate by howling when it wants attention from its pack. It sends territorial messages from one pack to another. Some howls are confrontational. Wolves are the largest members of the dog family.
Wolf Characteristics
Wolves are intelligent creatures whose upright ear, sharp teeth, pointed muzzles, inquiring eyes and other facial features instantly convey this quality.
The weight and size of a wolf can vary greatly worldwide. In general height varies from 0.6 to 0.95 meters (26 - 38 inches) at the shoulder and weight ranges from 20 to 60 kilograms.
Wolves bodies are built for stamina, possessing features ideal for long distance travel.
Their narrow chest and powerful backs and legs assist their efficient locomotion. Wolves are really capable of covering several miles trotting about a pace of 10 kilometers per hour (6 miles per hour) and have been known to reach speeds approaching 65 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour) during a chase. While sprinting, wolves can cover up to 5 meters (16 feet) per run.
The weight and size of a wolf can vary greatly worldwide. In general height varies from 0.6 to 0.95 meters (26 - 38 inches) at the shoulder and weight ranges from 20 to 60 kilograms.
Wolves bodies are built for stamina, possessing features ideal for long distance travel.
Their narrow chest and powerful backs and legs assist their efficient locomotion. Wolves are really capable of covering several miles trotting about a pace of 10 kilometers per hour (6 miles per hour) and have been known to reach speeds approaching 65 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour) during a chase. While sprinting, wolves can cover up to 5 meters (16 feet) per run.
Wolf Social Structure
Wolves are gregarious animals who mostly live in packs. A pack is made when a male and a female wolf meet each other and stay together. As a mated pair, they find a territory to settle in and raise cubs most years. Their cubs stay with them until they are old enough to leave home, usually by the time they are 3 years old and conditions are right to start a family or pack of their own.
The hierarchy in a wolf pack is led by the alpha male and female. This affects all activity in the pack to some extent. In most larger packs there are two separate hierarchies in addition to an overbearing one. The first consists of the males, led by the alpha male and the other consists of the females, led by the alpha female. In this situation, the alpha male assumes the top position overall in the pack. However, in some cases during the mating season the alpha female takes total dominance even while the pups are still in the den. This is for the rest of the pack to know that she is the one to serve. She also decides where the den will be. With this in the packs mind, they go in search of food and bring it back to the den either for the hungry female or for the pups.
The hierarchy in a wolf pack is led by the alpha male and female. This affects all activity in the pack to some extent. In most larger packs there are two separate hierarchies in addition to an overbearing one. The first consists of the males, led by the alpha male and the other consists of the females, led by the alpha female. In this situation, the alpha male assumes the top position overall in the pack. However, in some cases during the mating season the alpha female takes total dominance even while the pups are still in the den. This is for the rest of the pack to know that she is the one to serve. She also decides where the den will be. With this in the packs mind, they go in search of food and bring it back to the den either for the hungry female or for the pups.
Wolf Howling
Wolves howl for many reasons. Wolves howl as a way of communicating with other wolves. Wolves howl when they are rallying for a hunt, mourning, communicating with another pack of wolves or when a pack member has become separated - a lost wolf howls and other members of his pack respond, giving him a sound to guide him home. Pack members recognize each others voices.
Howling can also serve as a declaration of territory or a sign of protection such as protecting a fresh kill.
Howling can also serve as a declaration of territory or a sign of protection such as protecting a fresh kill.
Wolf Diet and Hunting
Wolves usually hunt in packs or sometimes individually. A wolf will nearly always eat what it catches almost completely. Wolves have more advantages when hunting in packs because they are intelligent animals working together and are able to take down animals that are much larger and stronger than an individual wolf. Wolves are strict carnivores and to stay alive, all animals are required to eat some sort of food to provide energy and nutrients for their body. Wolves do not kill for sport, but for survival.
Wolves are scavengers and hunters and will eat anything they catch from large animals to small rodents. some of the animals wolves eat and hunt include deer, moose, caribou, elk, bison and musk-oxen as well small animals such as beaver, hares, and other small rodents.
Wolves are scavengers and hunters and will eat anything they catch from large animals to small rodents. some of the animals wolves eat and hunt include deer, moose, caribou, elk, bison and musk-oxen as well small animals such as beaver, hares, and other small rodents.
Wolf Reproduction
The mating season of wolves can occur anytime between January and March. Only the alpha male wolf and female wolf in a pack mate. (This is to prevent over-population).
The alpha female wolf has only 5 to 7 days of estrus (when she is able to conceive). During that time, the alpha pair will sometimes move out of the pack temporarily to prevent interruption from other pack members.
If other adult wolf members of the pack mate, the alpha female wolf will be aggressive towards the other female wolf and usually the alpha male wolf will chase the other adult male wolf out of the pack. It is common for one litter of pups to be born in one pack of wolves. It is rare for two litters to occur unless the alpha male has mated with another subordinate female. This is usually when the alpha female wolf gets aggressive. The alpha female will try to prevent this by aggressively dominating other females and physically separating them from the alpha male wolf during the mating season.
When breeding season arrives breeding wolves begin to get more affectionate with each other. This occurs in anticipation of the females ovulation cycle. When the female finally goes into a period called 'estrus', the alpha male and alpha female wolves spend a lot of time together usually in seclusion. Pheromones in the females urine and the swelling of her vulva, tell the male she is ready to mate.
The alpha female wolf has only 5 to 7 days of estrus (when she is able to conceive). During that time, the alpha pair will sometimes move out of the pack temporarily to prevent interruption from other pack members.
If other adult wolf members of the pack mate, the alpha female wolf will be aggressive towards the other female wolf and usually the alpha male wolf will chase the other adult male wolf out of the pack. It is common for one litter of pups to be born in one pack of wolves. It is rare for two litters to occur unless the alpha male has mated with another subordinate female. This is usually when the alpha female wolf gets aggressive. The alpha female will try to prevent this by aggressively dominating other females and physically separating them from the alpha male wolf during the mating season.
When breeding season arrives breeding wolves begin to get more affectionate with each other. This occurs in anticipation of the females ovulation cycle. When the female finally goes into a period called 'estrus', the alpha male and alpha female wolves spend a lot of time together usually in seclusion. Pheromones in the females urine and the swelling of her vulva, tell the male she is ready to mate.
Once the alpha pair have mated, the gestation period lasts from 60-63 days. Wolf pups are born blind, deaf, and completely dependent on their mother. There can be between 1-14 pups in one litter, with the average number being 4-6 pups. For the first 8 weeks, the pups will stay inside the den in which they were born.
The den is usually on high ground, near an open water source. During this time, the pups will grow and become more independent. The wolf pups will begin to explore the area just outside the den, gradually roaming up to a mile away from it.
The den is usually on high ground, near an open water source. During this time, the pups will grow and become more independent. The wolf pups will begin to explore the area just outside the den, gradually roaming up to a mile away from it.
Wolf Conservation Status
Wolves are mistakenly viewed as a pest species and were almost exterminated. We are more enlightened today, although this opinion still remains among farmers. Through the efforts of ecologically-minded people and with the Endangered Species Act funding, the wolf is being reintroduced in parts of North America.
With an increasing number of animals throughout the world, either in a critically endangered situation, becoming endangered, or a threatened species, wolves are no exception. Many projects are being carried out to reintroduce many wolf species such as the USFWS in North America and the International Wolf Center.
With an increasing number of animals throughout the world, either in a critically endangered situation, becoming endangered, or a threatened species, wolves are no exception. Many projects are being carried out to reintroduce many wolf species such as the USFWS in North America and the International Wolf Center.