In the summer, packs are smaller because their diets are more diverse. Most wolves live in packs with an average of 2-12 members (with an average of 6), though there can be more if prey is available (up to 36 was found in Alaska). Though their role in ancient times was as a mesopredator, they have become an apex predator in ecosystems today. Their social nature and ways of communicating have allowed for a worldwide range, as well as the ability to take down larger prey. Wolves would probably not have become so widespread had they not adapted to living in packs. Gray wolves have adopted more secretive and nocturnal activity patterns in parts of Europe were they coexist with people. ![]() Activity and Behavior Activity PatternĬlassified as arrhythmic, meaning they lack a particular time of period when they are most active they have no normal activity pattern. They are adapted to a feast-or-famine diet and cache food. They are also scavengers, and carcasses are known attractants for them. Fish, birds, berries, & carrion are consumed seasonally, depending on location. Smaller mammals such as voles, beaver, and hares supplement their diet. More than 60% of their prey are young, weak, or older animals. Prey: Generalists, hunting mostly large hoofed animals such as moose, elk, deer, sheep, goats, caribou, musk oxen & bison. Cats rarely reach the density and distribution that wolves can, however. Besides humans and the wolf, the only other animals that regularly prey on large mammals in the Northern Hemisphere are cats (mountain lions in North American and tigers and leopards in Asia). ![]() Will also eat small mammals, birds, invertebrates, fish where available, & vegetation (mostly grass) Ecological WebĮcological Role: The wolf's niche is that of the northern predator upon large mammals. Omnivorous, mostly large hoofed mammals such as elk, bison, deer and moose. Dispersing wolves who are leaving their pack can travel as far as 600 miles. They can travel as much as 40 miles a day while hunting and often use semi-regular routes ('runways') through their territory. They are habitat generalists, so one home range include many different types of landscapes. Packs in highly productive environments, such as Yellowstone, have territories of about 100-200 square miles, while wolves living in the Arctic and dependent on caribou may use areas of 20,000 square miles or more. Densities can vary from about 1 wolf/7.5 square miles to 1/75 square miles. ![]() Packs generally have territories that range from 50-200 square miles. Ecology HabitatĪdapted to forests, taiga, tundra, deserts, plains, & mountains Distribution Their hearing and sense of smell are very keen, allowing for an incredible awareness of their surroundings. Their paws and claws provide traction and can spread to allow for better support in snow. Their long legs and posture allow for flexibility in their movements they can travel great distances with ease and can sprint relatively short distances. Their thick fur (they shed their winter coats as the weather warms) provides insulation with long guard hairs to keep moisture away from their skin. Gray wolves are the most mobile canid species. Species Specificsįormerly the world's most widely distributed mammal. ![]() Large, rounded ears usually held erect, and long legs with large paws. Muzzle is usually lighter in color, longer, shaggier hair around the neck and shoulders form a mane. In North America, wolves are often a mix of browns, tans, and gray. There are up to 32 subspecies of gray wolf with variation in color from white through cinnamon, gray, and black.
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