Wolf in the wild. Lifespan of wolves
There are about seven distinct species of wolves, and another seventeen (or so) varieties of gray wolf, making a total of about 24 species that can be found throughout the world.
Wolf- a typical predator that obtains food independently by actively searching for and pursuing victims. Everywhere, the basis of wolves' diet is made up of ungulates: in the tundra - wild and domestic reindeer; in the forest zone - moose, roe deer, wild pigs, domestic sheep, cows, horses; near the steppe and desert - antelopes of various species and sheep; in the mountains there are wild and domestic goats.
polar Wolf (Canis lupus tundrarum) is one of the rarest animals on our planet. The polar wolf's habitat is the Arctic. The wolf is well adapted to the harsh Arctic climate. Its thick, warm, windproof coat helps it survive in extreme temperatures. The wolf has keen eyesight and an excellent sense of smell, which are indispensable in hunting the small living creatures that inhabit these harsh places. Meager supplies of biological food and difficulties in obtaining food lead to the fact that the wolf eats its prey entirely, leaving neither the skin nor bones of the caught animals after the meal. Having an average weight of 60 to 80 kg and a height of up to 80 centimeters, the polar wolf is able to survive without food for several weeks in the event of an unsuccessful hunt, but then can eat up to 10 kilograms of meat at one time. Polar wolves live in packs of up to 10 individuals and hunt polar hares, reindeer and other animals. In one litter of a she-wolf, approximately 3 to 5 cubs are born. The unique fur of the polar wolf has always attracted increased attention from hunters, which has brought the polar wolf to the brink of extinction. Due to global warming and the melting of polar ice, the number of polar wolves continues to decline due to drastic changes in the climate of their usual habitats. Currently, the polar wolf is listed in the Red Book, and hunting it is prohibited.
– a rare species included in the IUCN Red Book and the Red Book of the Russian Federation. In Russia it is endangered. Hunting is allowed in India, but only with licenses. Externally, this animal has a peculiar appearance - the features of a gray wolf, fox and jackal are mixed. Body length 76-103 cm, tail – 40-48 cm, weight – 14-21 kg. The red wolf has thick, long, reddish-red fur on its back and sides, and on its chest, belly, and the inside of its legs, which are cream-colored. The long fluffy tail is similar to a fox's, it is darker than the rest of the body, almost black at the end. The head shows a dark pattern around the eyes and on the nose. The red wolf is a predator; it feeds mainly on wild animals, but in the summer it also consumes plant foods, namely mountain rhubarb. This plant is always found in dens with puppies. It is believed that wolves feed them to small wolf cubs, regurgitating half-digested rhubarb inflorescences. Sometimes they eat carrion. Wolves hunt in packs of 15-20 individuals and act very harmoniously, which allows them to catch even a large animal, for example, a buffalo. Thanks to their endurance, they drive their prey to exhaustion, after which its fate is sealed. Red wolves are quite talkative animals. Wakeful animals almost constantly emit a quiet whine, apparently maintaining communication with other members of the pack. In India, red caps reproduce within six months. The duration of pregnancy in females is 60-68 days. The average litter size is 4-6 puppies. The wolf cubs are dark brown in color, blind, weighing 200-350 g. The pups leave the hole at 70-80 days, and at seven months they already participate in collective hunting. Sexual maturity occurs at 2-3 years. Life expectancy in captivity is about 16 years. In captivity this period is much shorter.
Marsupial wolf or thylacine, as it is otherwise known, is officially considered an extinct animal. According to official data, the last wild representative of this species was killed in 1930, and the last one kept in captivity in a private zoo died of old age in 1936. But there is still a possibility that the marsupial wolf still managed to survive in the wilderness of Tasmania (where it once thrived). But so far not a single animal has been caught or even photographed. But scientists do not lose hope. In 1999, scientists from the National Australian Museum, based in Sydney, issued a press statement announcing the start of an ambitious project to create a clone of the thylacine. The scientists intended to use the DNA of marsupial wolf pups that had been preserved in alcohol. DNA was extracted, but, alas, the samples turned out to be damaged and unsuitable for the experiment. The project was suspended. But in 2008, scientists managed to “revive” one of the marsupial wolf genes and “embed” it into a mouse embryo. So who is this marsupial wolf? The marsupial wolf (Tasmanian wolf or marsupial tiger) is a mammal, the only one in the thylacine family. Its first studies and descriptions date back to 1808. These descriptions were made by a certain Harris, he was an amateur naturalist. His work was published by the Linnean Society of London. The thylacine was one of the largest carnivorous marsupials in the world. The length of its body reached one and a half meters, and even more with its tail. Height at the withers is approximately sixty centimeters. The weight of the marsupial wolf was twenty to twenty-five kilograms. But the most amazing thing about his appearance was his mouth - elongated and elongated, it could open as much as 120 degrees. An interesting fact is known that when a wolf yawned, its jaws formed a straight line (well, almost a straight line).
(Chrysocyon brachyurus) or guar, aguarachai gets its name from the long hair that adorns its shoulders and neck, reminiscent of a horse's mane. The maned wolf's habitat is primarily the savannas of South America, but it can also be found in Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay and Northern Argentina, where it lives in the pampas and along the edges of swamps overgrown with tall grass. Lean and light, the maned wolf has red fur, an elongated muzzle and large ears, which makes it look vaguely like a very large fox. The body length of the maned wolf, from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, is approximately 160 cm, the height of the wolf at the shoulders reaches, on average, 75 cm, and the weight varies from 20 to 23 kilograms. Aguarachai is the tallest-legged of all known wolf species. The long legs help the maned wolf locate prey over the tall grasses that cover savannas and wetlands. The wolf hunts, as a rule, alone, and its prey is mainly small animals, such as agouti, pacu, various birds and reptiles. The wolf also eats fruits and other plant foods, carries poultry, and is capable of attacking sheep when gathering in flocks. Auarachai live in pairs, but rarely contact each other. Maned wolf cubs have a black coat color and are born in winter, 2-3 cubs per litter. Aguarachai or maned wolves are listed as endangered on the International Red List of Threatened Species. Currently, there is no immediate threat of extinction, but the maned wolf still remains a very rare animal.
(Canis lupus arctos), also called the Ellesmere wolf or Arctic wolf, lives in North America on a group of Arctic islands and in the northern part of Greenland. The Melville Island wolf is slightly smaller in size than the common wolf, and its length, from ears to tip of tail, varies from 90 to 180 cm. The wolf reaches a maximum height of 69-79 cm, with a weight of about 45 kg, although especially large , adult males can weigh about 80 kg. The Melville Island wolf's fur is typically light white or grayish. A wolf's ears are small, which helps it efficiently expend heat in low temperatures. For more successful hunting, Melville wolves unite in packs of 5-10 individuals. The main objects of hunting for the Melville Island wolf are reindeer and musk oxen, to which the wolf pack uses driven hunting tactics, attacking mainly weakened prey that cannot offer strong resistance. The wolf's food also includes arctic hares, lemmings and, occasionally, moose. Permafrost is a significant obstacle that makes it difficult for a wolf to set up and dig a den, so wolves use the natural landscape and place their homes in rock ledges, caves or small depressions. The Melville Island wolf gives birth to few cubs, 2-3 cubs per litter, which is largely due to the harsh living conditions in the Arctic climate.
Belongs to the class of mammals and the order of carnivores. The name Japanese wolf comes from two subspecies of the common wolf family (Canis lupus), which once lived on the islands of Japan. In the worldwide classification, the Japanese wolf belongs to the Hokkaido wolf (Canis lupus hattai). He is also known as Ezo, a wolf who lived on the island of Hokkaido. And the second subspecies is the Hondos wolf or Honshu wolf (Canis lupus hodophilax). Today, both species are considered extinct. In terms of external dimensions, Hokkaido was much larger than the Honshu wolf, and in parameters it was approaching the size of an ordinary wolf. In 1889, this subspecies became extinct due to the increased settlement of the island for the construction of farms, during the Meiji restoration. The existing Meiji Government determined a reward for anyone who brought the head of a killed wolf, thereby organizing a campaign to exterminate them.
Lyre wolf found exclusively in South America
Newfoundland Wolf - Officially extinct in 1911
Newfoundland Wolf (Canis lupus beothucus) The Newfoundland wolf lived on an island off Newfoundland on the east coast of Canada. The color was light with a dark stripe along the ridge. Dimensions were an average of 5.5 feet (from nose to tip of tail). Diet consisted of: Caribou (as reindeer are called in Canada), beavers, voles and other rodents. Hunting and fur trapping in the region led to the complete extinction of this species in 1911. The extinction was also influenced by factors such as a severe food shortage in 1900, which led to a sharp decline in the caribou population.
A wolf very similar to a fox. This species is endangered; for its fur, which has no analogues (the color of the fur can reach yellow), this animal is widely hunted.
Also known as the Mountain Wolf, Alaskan Wolf, or Canadian Forest Wolf. A direct relative of our timber wolf, but due to specific habitat conditions it has thicker fur and a whitish color that remains even in summer.
There are six subspecies of wolves found in Russia:
Tundra wolf, Central Russian forest wolf, Siberian forest wolf, Steppe wolf, Caucasian wolf, Mongolian wolf.
Contrary to popular belief, it is this wolf that reaches its maximum size on the Eurasian continent, and not the tundra one. The coloring is classic, and not lightened, like the tundra. The body length of adult Central Russian forest wolves can exceed 160 cm, and the height at the shoulders can reach 1 meter. Of course, such dimensions can only apply to very large individuals. It is generally accepted that on average an adult male weighs 40 - 45 kg, a mature male (about 1 year and 8 months old) weighs about 35 kg, and a mature male (8 months old) weighs 25 kg. She-wolves weigh 15 - 20% less. Anyone who is familiar with old hunting literature, or who has been to “wolf” corners and talked with local residents, has probably read or heard about huge wolves. How much weight can wolves reach? For Central Russia, scientific works indicate a maximum weight in the range of 69 - 80 kg. (Ognev, Zvorykin). And here are the results of weighing specific animals. For the Moscow region - a male weighing 76 kg, the largest of the 250 wolves caught by the wolf hunter V.M. Hartuleri, famous in the thirties and forties of the last century. For Altai - a male weighing 72 kg. The wolf, stuffed of which is in the Moscow State University zoo museum, weighed 80 kg (5 pounds). According to N.D. Sysoev, the head of the state hunting inspection of the Vladimir region, in the period from 1951 to 1963, 641 wolves were killed, of which 17 were especially large. Among these animals, the largest weight was: of males - 79 kg, caught in the Sobinsky district, from females - 62 kg. The footprint of the right front paw of this huge, almost eighty-kilogram animal had a length of 16 and a width of 10 cm. It must be said that wolves of even larger sizes are indicated for Ukraine - 92 kg from the Lugansk region and 96 kg from the Chernigov region, but the conditions for determining the mass of these animals are unknown. The Central Russian forest wolf lives throughout the forest and forest-steppe zones of the European part of Russia, and probably penetrates into Western Siberia. In the north, it is quite possible for it to enter the forest-tundra, however, in the same way as the tundra into the taiga.
It is also a large animal, not inferior in its average size to the previous subspecies. According to many scientists, it is still conditionally identified as a separate subspecies, since the taxonomy of Siberian wolves is still poorly developed. The predominant color is light gray, ocher tones are poorly visible or absent altogether. The fur, although not as tall and silky as that of the tundra wolf, is also thick and soft. Its habitat is largely considered to be Eastern Siberia, the Far East and Kamchatka, in addition to the tundra zone, as well as Transbaikalia.
In general, somewhat smaller than the forest one, with sparse and coarser hair. The color on the back is with a noticeable predominance of rusty-gray or even brown hair, and the sides are light gray. Its range includes the steppes of southern Russia, including the Cis-Caucasian, Caspian, Ural and Lower Volga regions. Poorly studied. A system of specific characteristics has not been developed. The number is low, especially in the western parts of the range.
A medium-sized animal with coarse and short guard hair and rather poorly developed underfur. The color is noticeably darker than the subspecies described above due to the black guard hairs evenly distributed throughout the skin. The overall tone is dirty gray, dull. Within our country, the range is limited to the Main Caucasus Range and its wooded foothills.
The Mongolian wolf is the smallest in size compared to all the wolves that live in Russia. The average weight of males of this species does not exceed 40 kg. The Mongolian wolf has a dull, dirty gray hue, coarse and coarse fur. This subspecies of wolves is common in the eastern and southwestern Transbaikalia and the Primorsky Territory.
Lifestyle of wolves. Migration of wolves in search of new territories
Lifestyle of wolves
Wolves are active mainly at night, but sometimes they can be found during the day. They make their presence known by a vocal howl, which is very different in character among adult males, she-wolves and young ones, and also depending on the situation. The fact is that with the help of various kinds of howls, wolves exchange information about the presence of prey, the appearance of other wolves in the territory of the pack, the appearance of people and other important events. Wolves also have fairly developed facial expressions - the expressions of their muzzle, posture and tail position can be very diverse, which reflects the emotional state of the animals and is of paramount importance for establishing contacts between individuals or, conversely, preventing collisions. Of the analyzers in wolves, the most developed is hearing, some weaker are vision and smell.
Well-developed higher nervous activity in wolves is combined with strength, agility, tirelessness, running speed and other physical characteristics that significantly increase the chances of this predator in the fight for survival. Without visible effort, he can carry a sheep in his teeth, holding it in front of him or throwing it behind his back. If necessary, the wolf reaches speeds of up to 55-60 kilometers per hour, capable of traveling up to 60-80 km. per night, and on average per day (in the forest zone) to cover over 20 km.
In the tundra, as well as in the mountains, wolves carry out seasonal migrations behind herds of wild and domestic ungulates. Sometimes there is a noticeable increase in the number of wolves in a certain area as a result of a sharp deterioration in living conditions in neighboring areas. Migration of wolves in search of new territories In a wolf pack there is a strict hierarchical ladder, which is determined by a very complex set of relationships in the pack, the age of its members and feats in hunting. The least respected are young wolves, who occupy the lowest places in the hierarchy; they are the ones who often fight off the pack, showing pride and impatience with oppression from their older brothers. Such wolves migrate from the territory occupied by the pack over quite long distances in search of the same tribesmen or smaller packs with weaker leaders and available lone wolves. Lone wolves move carefully, avoiding encounters with humans, but not necessarily at night. Along the way, the wolf stops to hunt, often for livestock. When meeting lonely brothers, they flock into small flocks and continue their journey in search of free territories and rich hunting grounds. In this case, a pack of migrating wolves can consist of up to three or five individuals. When united in a pack, wolves often attack shepherds and enter small villages, but only when they have no luck in the hunt for a long time. A meeting between migrating wolves and a pack of fellow tribesmen can result in trouble for a weaker enemy. Thus, going through difficulties and trials, wolves explore new territories, sometimes running hundreds of kilometers.
Wolf hunting. How wolves divide territory
Wolf Hunt
Wolves belong to the canine family and are very similar to dogs in appearance and habits. Well-developed muscles and fairly long legs allow them to run quite quickly. Wolves used to be very numerous in the Northern Hemisphere, but they have been exterminated in many countries. Wolves live in packs according to the laws of hierarchy (one wolf dominates the others) and communicate using a whole range of sounds of different tones.
How do wolves hunt? They move in search of prey along the same routes, more than 160 kilometers long. Sometimes it takes them several weeks to cover all the trails. Wolves are predators, so they eat meat. They attack other animals that they meet along the way. Wolves hunt deer, elk and other large ungulates. In Canada and Alaska, wolves follow on the heels of caribou herds, attacking young animals and weak, sick animals. In the north, wolves hunt musk oxen. And if they see a herd of livestock left unattended, they will immediately attack it. Wolves also hunt hares and other rodents, but only if there is no easier prey nearby. Hungry animals, having lost hope, will feast on fresh meat and are content with wild berries.
How wolves divide territory
Owning a huge territory, a pack of polar wolves, for example, will, of course, not be able to maintain exclusive rights to it, but wolves living in the forest, whose possessions are much smaller, are forced to clearly recognize the border of their territory. Wolves mark their possessions with the smell of their own body, raising their paws like domestic dogs. They do this especially carefully on the border with the territory of another flock. So that the neighbors understand who they are dealing with and are afraid to violate the border. Smells play an even greater role in communication between wolves than sounds. If one pack of wolves, for example, in the process of hunting intersects with another, then a bloody showdown with the victims is inevitable, which is why the wolves howl, warning others about their location. The alpha male usually begins to howl, his howl is picked up by others. When chasing prey, wolves howl, making shorter sounds, notifying their fellows where they are. All wolf packs nearby respond to the howl of one of the packs, and an unimaginable forest cacophony immediately begins. However, it often happens that one of the flocks does not reasonably pick up someone else’s howl, it is numerically too small, and therefore it needs to hide or retreat as quickly as possible for the same reasons. It should be noted that a lone wolf will never howl
Life in wolf's clothing
Have you ever wondered where this expression came from? For some reason, it is generally accepted that life in a wolf’s skin means, first of all, the risk of running into a hunter at any moment, whose first intention will be to take this very skin from you. It may well be that life in wolf skin is not at all a fear of dying at the hands of a hunter, but a fear of dying alone? In ancient times, it was believed that wolves embodied in their essence all the evil that lives in the forests. In all children's fairy tales, undoubtedly, the wolf appears in the image of a negative hero, but if you think carefully, it was we who created such an image of the wolf. Maybe, in fact, wolves are completely different? One day, having stumbled upon a television program about domesticated wild animals, I was able to imagine for myself the real image of a wolf, not inspired by false ideas. Like a faithful dog, a huge gray wolf, playing, licked the hands of its owner, the man who had long ago picked him up as a wolf cub in the forest, cured him and, in fact, given him a new life. Why did the wolf, such a terrible and lonely animal, sincerely thank his savior and educator? Perhaps because he found a true friend among people and is now not afraid to die alone.
Wolf- this is, first of all, the highest symbol of freedom in the animal world, a symbol of independence (while the so-called king of beasts - the lion - is trained in the circus).
Wolf- This is also a symbol of fearlessness. In any fight, the wolf fights until victory or death.
Wolf does not pick up carrion, which means it is a symbol of purity.
Wolf lives as a family, cares only for his wolf wife, and the wolf father himself raises his wolf children. Among wolves there is no such vice as adultery.
Wolf- this is also a symbol of high morality and devotion to family (which cannot be said about males of other animals).
Wolf - a symbol of justice and ambition. Under normal conditions, the wolf will not allow, for its part, to offend the weaker.
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Everyone remembers the fairy tale about the gray wolf that we were told in childhood. So who exactly is a wolf? An image from a fairy tale or a dangerous animal? The common wolf is a large predator of the Canidae family. The gray wolf is the master of the tundra and taiga, a hardy and very intelligent animal. In this article you will find a description and photo of a wolf and learn a lot of interesting things about the harsh life of this formidable predator.
Externally, the common gray wolf is very similar to a dog, which is not surprising, because these animals have common ancestors. However, the wolf looks much larger. The body length of a wolf can reach 110-160 cm, the tail length can be up to 52 cm, the height at the withers ranges from 60 to 90 cm, and the body weight of a wild predator can reach up to 80 kg.
There were cases when the weight of individual individuals exceeded 92 kg. The average weight of wolves varies from 30 to 65 kg. The size and weight of wolves depend on geographic location. The colder the climate, the larger the animal. Males are always larger than females.
The wolf animal has thick, rather long and warm fur, which consists of two layers, which makes the wolf look larger. The first layer of the common wolf's fur is tougher and protects against dirt. The second is a waterproof undercoat that protects the wolf from the cold and various extreme conditions of nature. The gray wolf is a very hardy animal.
The wolf looks like a threatening and dangerous animal, has a strong muscular body, high strong paws and a large broad-browed head with pointed ears. The elongated and large muzzle with dark stripes is combined with almost white cheeks and light spots in the eye area. The massive muzzle of the wolf is also very expressive. The gray wolf's tail is quite long and usually hangs down. By its movement and position one can judge the mood of the predator.
The common wolf has completely different colors, depending on its habitat. In forests it is a gray-brown color. In the tundra it is lighter, almost white. In the desert – grayish-reddish. There are even white individuals that are found in the Arctic, as well as red or almost black ones. The animal's undercoat is always gray.
How is a wolf different from a dog? The common wolf differs from the dog not only in appearance, but also in its tracks. The track of the gray wolf's tracks is smoother than that of dogs and forms an almost straight line. Also, the wolf has a different track length, which is 9-11 cm, and the width is 6-7 cm; for the she-wolf it is 7-9 cm and 5-6 cm. The two middle fingers of the wolf’s paw are more forward, the fingers are not spread out and form a significantly more prominent print than that of a dog.
Where do wolves live?
The wolf is an animal that is the most common land predator. This wild animal has a wide habitat. The wolf lives mainly in cold countries and in various landscapes. In forests, steppes, deserts, taiga, tundra, forest-steppe and at the foot of the mountains.
Wolves live in many areas of Europe (from Russia to Portugal), Asia (from Korea to Georgia) and North America (from Alaska to Mexico). Large individuals inhabit the tundra, and small ones inhabit the southern regions. It is curious that in Russia the wolf is absent only on the island of Sakhalin.
The common wolf is a territorial animal. Packs of wolves live in conquered areas, the boundaries of which are marked with marks. In summer, when the wolf pack breaks up, the occupied territory is divided into several sections. The best of them is occupied by the main pair, and the rest of the wolves switch to a nomadic lifestyle.
How do wolves live?
The common wolf is a social animal. That's why wolves live in packs, they hunt, play and even howl together. A wolf pack is a family group that consists of animals of different ages and can number from 3 to 40 individuals. The pack is controlled by a leader or a seasoned wolf - the dominant male. This is the smartest, wisest and strongest male in the wolf pack. The leader of the pack has a girlfriend - a dominant female. Together they form a pair, thereby uniting other wolves around themselves - this is a wolf pack.
A pack of wolves has its own hierarchy. The leader of the pack has unquestionable authority. This is a wise leader and he is friendly towards all members of the pack. But the seasoned wolf greets strangers exceptionally aggressively. A beta male is often present in a pack - the most likely successor to the leader. Usually this is the common son of the leading couple or the brother of the leading male. The contender for the position of head of the pack periodically demonstrates aggression towards the alpha male, as if checking his status, since he is ready to take his place at any moment.
A wolf that has left the pack on its own or has been driven out is called a lone wolf. Such animals have every chance to create their own pack.
Wolves live relying on their feelings. They use these senses to hunt and communicate with other wolves. The beast's excellent hearing allows you to hear a howling wolf at a distance of seven kilometers. Their sense of smell is 100 times stronger than that of humans. The gray wolf can run at a speed of 55 km/h.
Wolves live in packs and each pack has its own hunting area, which the animals carefully guard from other wolves. In a pack where the leader keeps order, wolves live peacefully and do not fight. Skirmishes occur with strangers and lone wolves who have violated the boundaries of the site. Each wolf pack has its own territory and hunts only on it.
The owners carefully guard and mark their territory, leaving scratches on fallen trees or old stumps. Thus, they make it clear that it is better to stay away. Unexpected guests are punished, such are the cruel laws of the wolf pack. The wolf howl that can be heard around is a way of notifying that the territory has already been occupied.
The size of the common wolf's family territory depends on the landscape and ranges from 50 to 1500 km². The survival of the pack depends on the size of its hunting grounds, so wolves carefully protect them. If there is more than enough food on a family hunting plot, then several generations of wolves will live in one plot. The largest hunting grounds of wolves are found in open landscapes of the tundra and steppe and amount to 1000-1250 km². In the forest zone they are much smaller in size - 200-250 km².
When wolves do not have small cubs, they wander. Wolves travel both in packs and alone. As a result of wandering, animals sometimes appear in areas where wolves have not been seen for several years. Nomadic wolves run up to 70 kilometers in one night.
Gray wolves gather in packs in winter. If the snow is deep, the wolves in the pack move in single file. Each animal follows each other, stepping in the same tracks whenever possible. The common wolf is very cunning. Therefore, it is very difficult to find out from the tracks how many wolves a pack consists of.
Why do wolves howl? Wolves howl because howling is their way of communicating with each other. With the help of howls, wolves find out where their family members are, announce the capture of prey and seizure of territory, or simply to communicate with their relatives. Wolves usually howl in the late evening hours. During the year, wolves howl most often in winter, when the number of pack members reaches its maximum. Wolves begin to howl more actively towards the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, as well as when the puppies begin to develop the family plot and begin to move into its territory.
What does a wolf eat and how does it hunt?
The wolf is a picky predator. The main diet of the common wolf includes large ungulates: deer, elk, saigas, sheep and goats. But the wolf also eats hares, various rodents and birds, because he is not picky. Sometimes wolves can eat dead members of the pack.
Large concentrations of livestock attract wild and predatory wolves. Therefore, it is common to encounter a gray wolf near farms. The wolf eats meat, so on average the animal requires 3-4.5 kg of meat per day. Wolves store their food. Having had enough, the animal wolf buries the remaining pieces of meat. Wolves can go without food for more than two weeks. In the summer, the diet of the common wolf includes plant foods, so in the summer the wolf also eats fruits and berries.
The principles of wolf hunting are very diverse. In winter, wolves hunt collectively for large ungulates. Wolves use this type of hunting in winter. The main advantage of a wolf's winter hunting is the presence of snow cover, on which it can easily move. Snow makes it much more difficult for ungulates to escape from a wolf, a wild and predatory animal.
It is curious that the collective hunting of wolves involves the distribution of responsibilities: part of the pack participates in the pursuit of prey, while the other cuts off the path of the prey. When hunting, the wolf's nose is the main adviser. He tells the wild predator where to look for prey. Wolves can smell even a small animal that is a couple of kilometers away from them. It is with the help of their acute sense of smell that wolves can follow the tracks of their prey. The wolf hunts almost silently.
The wolf's main weapon is its teeth. With sharp fangs 5 cm long, the wolf holds and drags the victim, and with the remaining teeth it cuts up the game. A wolf’s teeth are not only its weapon, but also its protection, so their loss is disastrous for the animal.
Wolves kill especially large ungulates by attacking as a whole pack and attack until their prey falls. At the same time, the primacy to feast on the prey rightfully belongs to the leader and his female; they eat the best pieces of the carcass.
The wolf hunts very carefully. Stealthily sneaking up on the animal, with a deft leap he grabs it by the throat and throws it to the ground. It can sit in ambush for hours and wait for prey all day long. Often they can follow a herd of ungulates; predators do not give away their presence, but wait for the right moment to attack.
Wolves are very cunning; in pursuit they stop pursuing, allowing the prey to go far ahead. When the victim slows down, the wolf attacks again. Wolves often attack foxes. But most often they don't eat them. By attacking a herd of livestock, wolves can distract dogs. Part of the wolf pack attacks the dogs, and the rest attacks the herd.
Wolves are very good at navigating the terrain. Many packs use the same areas of territory to drive prey into a dead end. When hunting rodents, the wolf jumps on the prey, crushes it with its paw and eats it. This hunting technique is common for wolves in the summer.
In summer, the flock splits up and predators live alone or in small groups. Wolves feed on a variety of animals, using well-established hunting techniques. In the summer, the wolf most often feeds on hares. But even with all the calculated moves and deft maneuvers in the hunt, it does not always end successfully.
Wolf cubs - birth of puppies. How does a pack raise wolf cubs?
A wolf's lair is a hole where a she-wolf raises wolf cubs. Wolves make their dens in secluded places. In this case, the place must have a good overview. Often wolves use empty holes of other animals as a den.
Wolves breed annually in January-February, the first breeding period begins at the age of 2-3 years. The duration of pregnancy for a she-wolf is about two months. In the spring, wolf cubs are born in the den. Typically, a female gives birth to 4 to 8 wolf cubs. Wolf puppies are born deaf and blind; during the first days of the babies' lives, the she-wolf is constantly nearby. They begin to see and hear at about 10-12 days of life.
After three weeks, the wolf cubs leave the den for the first time and begin to taste meat at the same time. The entire pack takes part in raising and raising wolf cubs. Wolves bring the best meat to the den with their babies.
In small wolf cubs, the color has a grayish-brown tint, which changes with age. At the age of 2 months, the wolf cubs leave the den, but still stay close to the hole. Such places are protected by vegetation from prying eyes. Wolf puppies learn the basics of hunting and attack shrews and mice.
Wolf cubs grow rapidly and their weight increases almost 30 times in the first four months. Newborn wolf cubs have blue eyes. At the age of 8 months, the cubs' eyes change to yellow. By the end of the first winter after birth, the wolf cubs reach adult size. The common wolf lives 12-15 years.
Are wolves necessary and why?
Why are wolves needed, because for humans, a wolf is an enemy. It is dangerous to people and destroys livestock. Gradually, the fight between people and wolves led to a reduction in their numbers. But the wild predatory animal the common wolf plays an important role in the balance of the ecological system.
Wolves are needed to regulate the population of large ungulates. Wolves are also a kind of “orderlies”, since by destroying sick animals, wolves prevent diseases from spreading. Hunting weak animals promotes the survival of the strongest.
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For most people, the wolf is not just a wild animal, but an archetypal image familiar from childhood. It is no coincidence that he became a character in fairy tales. People have long feared and revered this beast. They frightened naughty children with a wolf, called them a man’s elder brother, and composed fairy tales and legends about him.
In the languages of different peoples of the world, the word wolf is consonant. It is worth noting that it was born in the Old Slavic language and means “drag” or “drag.” Apparently, the name comes from the manner of moving prey by dragging (dragging in front of you).
Habitat and distribution in the world
In past centuries, the wolf was the most common animal on earth. Today, the habitat has been significantly reduced. The reason for this is the widespread extermination of animals by humans. Nowadays, most of the species lives in the territory of the following countries: Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Georgia, China, Korea, Iran, Indonesia, India, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Scandinavian and Baltic countries, South American countries, Italy, Poland, Spain , Portugal, Mexico, USA, Canada.
The wolf adapts to life in any terrain, but tries to settle in places with few trees. Often lives in close proximity to human settlements. In the taiga, for example, it invariably follows people, choosing to live in places cleared of trees.
In mountainous areas they live up to the border of meadows, choosing weakly rugged areas.
The wolf is one of the territorial animals. During the cold period, flocks lead a sedentary lifestyle. The flock's habitat is marked with tags. The area of such a territory can reach up to 44 km. With the onset of warm months, the animals form pairs.
The strongest individuals continue to live in their territory, while the rest scatter. It is worth noting that wolves accompany herds of deer and domestic animals.
Ancestors of wolves and evolution
The probable ancestor of the modern wolf is Canis lepophagus. This is a representative of the canine breed that inhabited North America during the Miocene period.
The first true wolves appeared during the early Pleistocene. Among the species was Canis priscolatrans, characterized by its small size. This species is believed to be the ancestor of the red wolf, which migrated to Europe and Asia.
Subsequently, Canis priscolatrans modified and evolved, which led to the appearance of C. Mosbachensis, a species that has many things in common with modern representatives. Over time, C. mosbachensis evolved into Canis lupus.
Types and features of each type
Science knows about 32 species and subspecies of wolves. The most interesting species will be described below.
Arctic (polar)
The rarest subspecies of the gray wolf. Distributed in Greenland, northern Canada and Alaska. The absence of humans in the cold, snowy area made it possible to preserve the habitat in its original form.
The Arctic wolf has a large and powerful body build. The male at the withers can reach 1 m, weighing 100 kg. This species is characterized by sexual dimorphism (males are 15-16% larger than females in size).
The animal is ideally adapted to life in the conditions of the polar night, covering vast distances across the snowy plain to search for prey. An adult can eat up to 12 kg of meat at one time. Often nothing remains of the prey, since polar wolves do not chew the meat, but swallow it along with the bones.
Representatives of this species live in flocks of 12-15 individuals. The head of such a group can be not only a male, but also a female. There are times when a pack accepts lone wolves (if they obey the leader).
Ruffed
The species is named because of the long fur that covers the neck and shoulder area. The skin resembles a horse's mane. The main place of residence is South America.
The maned wolf has a red color. A distinctive feature of the species are large ears and an elongated head. In appearance, the animal looks lean. The body weight of an adult does not exceed 25 kg.
The maned wolf is a solitary hunter. It chooses small livestock, birds, and reptiles as prey. It also eats fruits.
INTERESTING! Several years ago there was a threat of extinction of this species. Today the problem has been resolved, but the animal continues to remain in the Red Book.
Makenzensky
The most common species found in North America. The weight of the animal can reach 80 kg, and its height is 90 cm. The individual hunts deer, musk oxen, elk and bison.
Mountain (red)
The mountain wolf has a beautiful appearance. Its fur is the color of a fox. Weight slightly exceeds 20 kg. The length does not exceed 100 cm. The color depends on the region of residence. During the cold period, the fur becomes soft, fluffier and thicker. With the onset of warmth, it takes on a dark color and begins to become coarse.
Predators of this species live and get food in a flock of 12-15 individuals. Their community rarely has a clear leader. Deer, antelope or large rodents are chosen as prey. A strong pack can attack a bull and even a leopard. In case of food shortage, the red wolf can feed on carrion.
INTERESTING! A distinctive feature of the mountain wolf is its method of attacking the victim. Unlike other species (and all canids), it attacks prey from the back, without trying to bite into the neck.
The animal lives secretly and tries to set up camps away from human habitation. This hinders learning.
Ginger
The appearance of the red wolf is similar to the appearance of gray individuals, only red ones are inferior in size and weight, and also have shorter ears and fur. The body can reach a length of 130 cm and a weight of 40 kg. The color is not uniform, the muzzle and legs are red, and the back is dark.
Predators settle in swamps, steppes and mountains. In flocks there are individuals of different ages. There is almost never aggression towards individual members in the group.
The red wolf eats not only meat, but also vegetation. Mainly hunts rabbits, rodents and raccoons. Very rare, but attacks large mammals. There are times when the predator itself becomes prey to a lynx or alligator.
common wolf
This species is collectively called the gray wolf. It is the most common animal in the family. Body length reaches 160 cm, weight – 80 kg.
The animal lives in North America and Eurasia. In recent years, the total number has decreased significantly. The reason for this is extermination by man. And only in North America does the population remain stable.
What do wolves eat?
The wolf is a predator. Most often it chooses the following animals as prey:
- Roe.
- Antelope.
- Boar.
- Deer.
- Hare.
- Elk.
Small species, as well as solitary individuals, attack smaller animals - rodents, gophers, birds. Very rarely can it choose a victim in the person of a large predator, although there are cases when packs attack wounded or sleeping bears and foxes.
During the hungry period, they can return to half-eaten carcasses. At such times, predators do not disdain carrion.
In addition to meat, they eat forest fruits, berries, grass, watermelons, and melons. This food allows you to get the required amount of fluid.
Reproduction and raising of offspring
A pair of wolves is usually formed for life. If one partner dies, the other does not look for a replacement. Animals live in packs of 12 to 45 individuals (depending on the species).
There is a clearly constructed hierarchy in the wolf community. The head is the alpha animal (this can be either a male or a female). This is followed by adults, lone wolves, and pups. Very often single individuals are accepted into the flock. The main condition is a tolerant attitude towards other members of the pack. When the puppies reach three years of age, they are driven outside the conglomerate. The time has come to find a mate on your own and start a family.
INTERESTING! It should be noted that puppies born in the same litter will never mate with each other.
The most stressful time in the life of a pack is mating season, when alpha males and females try to fight off other members. Often fights between animals end in death.
In one litter, a she-wolf has from 3 to 15 puppies. The offspring are gestated for more than two months. Puppies are born blind. The eyes open 10-14 days after birth.
Wolves in zoos - features of captivity
Wolves in zoos live longer than their wild relatives (the former live 20 years, the latter from 8 to 15). This is due to the fact that in the wild, old individuals, unable to obtain food, die or become victims of relatives.
For a full life in captivity, special conditions must be created. The fact is that an animal in its natural environment travels up to 20 km daily. This is a normal and necessary load, so there must be an enclosure of appropriate size. It’s a good idea to recreate the conditions of the area in which the animal should live.
An adult should consume up to 2 kg of fresh meat daily. In winter, the norm increases to 3 kg.
Live food should be brought in periodically to maintain the hunter's instinct.
History of the domestication of the wolf into a dog
Very often small wolf cubs fall into the hands of hunters. They don't always hand over animals to the zoo. Some people bring them home, others sell them. Such a product is in demand; there are risky people who want to get their hands on the predator. And the desire to raise a pet from a wild animal fuels the excitement even more.
In most cases, such decisions are erroneous and unsafe. The wolf is primarily a predator. Starting it at home is like setting a time bomb. Sooner or later it will explode.
If such a predator appears in the house, then first of all it is necessary to create all the conditions that ensure safety. The wolf is an intelligent, freedom-loving and cunning animal, so he will spend all his free time trying to get out of the cage. In addition, he is able to learn primitive actions from humans. In other words, he can remember how a person opens the cage and do it himself.
Another point that everyone who wants to tame a wild animal should know. He will never perform the functions of a dog. The wolf is a predator, and man is his enemy, he will always be afraid of him. Consequently, when a stranger tries to enter the territory of the house, he will try to hide.
Video information
- Numerous experiments by breeders made it possible to develop mixed breeds of wolf and dog. Today, two mixed breeds have gained recognition - the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog and the Saarloos.
- In the Middle Ages he personified the servant of the devil. There were many stories, fairy tales, and legends in which the image of a wild animal appeared.
- Many coats of arms belonging to noble families of Europe had the image of a wolf. Representatives of ancient families claimed that their family arose from werewolves (a mixture of a human and a wolf).
- Before the battle, the Scandinavian Vikings wore wolf skins and drank the blood of predators. In their opinion, this ritual was supposed to bring good luck.
- In the 16th century, Ireland was called the land of wolves. The reason for this was the numerous packs of predators that lived on these lands.
- During a calm period, the animal can hear a sound at a distance of 17 km.
- Wolves are excellent swimmers. They are able to swim a distance of 10 km at a time.
- Hitler was an admirer of these animals. For this reason, many Wehrmacht headquarters had names associated with predators.
- Among the Aztecs, it was customary to puncture a dying person in the chest with a wolf bone. In their opinion, with the help of the ritual it was possible to escape death.
- In Japanese, the word wolf means "great god".
Having watched wolves for centuries, man realized that the predator is a disciplined and intelligent animal, and not just a hunter and killer. The image of survival in the wild, life in pairs, building a hierarchical ladder in a pack, allows us to talk about the uniqueness of this mammal.
Since ancient times people have revered and feared Wolf, they called him the elder brother, they scared children with him, they made up legends and retellings about him. The genus of wolves itself is quite extensive, including coyotes and jackals, but it is wolves became the direct and closest ancestors of the domestic dog.
Wolf is a fairly large predator from the mammal family, which used to be found almost everywhere in Russia and the CIS. But due to a number of problems caused by technological progress, the habitat of these animals has narrowed significantly in recent decades.
The name itself " wolf"comes from the ancient Slavic language, has ancient Indo-European roots and literally means " drag" or "drag".
It turns out that the Wolf family is quite extensive - there are about 32 different subspecies of wolves, but only six main ones are found on the territory of Russia - tundra, Central Russian forest, Mongolian, Caucasian, Siberian and steppe.
What do wolves eat
Basic Wolf's diet are ungulates depending on their habitat. These could be reindeer, horses, roe deer, pigs, moose, goats, both wild and domesticated.
In desert regions, Wolves hunt antelope and sheep. Due to the expansion of human activity and the introduction of humans into the natural habitat of wolves, predator attacks on livestock farms occur.
But wolf population constantly decreasing due to lack of food and constant hunting for them. During difficult periods, Wolves can feed on frogs, lizards and even large insects. They sometimes eat berries, mushrooms and fruits, and to quench their thirst they can plunder a watermelon or melon planting.
Where does the Wolf live?
Wolves prefer wooded areas and choose flat or mountainous areas with sparse vegetation and a temperate climate for housing.
Pack of Wolves usually occupies an area of 30 to 60 km and prefers a sedentary way of existence. But in the spring-summer period, this area is divided into fragments in accordance with the hierarchy of the pack: the best goes to the strongest Wolves.
Wolves can also be found in the north in the taiga and tundra near human settlements.
Wolves are smart and they understand that where there is a person, you can always profit from something. And although they harm agriculture, on the other hand, they also regulate the balance of the ecosystem, controlling the number of animals and acting as forest orderlies.
Are Wolves Dangerous to Humans?
Scientists have come to the conclusion that the Wolf will not just attack a person, since he has an instinct of self-preservation. But sometimes there are sad cases of attacks by animals suffering from rabies. Or if there is a severe shortage of food.
Wolves breeding
Mating season for wolves lasts from January to April. Wolves are monogamous and lead a family lifestyle; a couple stays together until one of the partners dies.
Before the onset of estrus, the she-wolf does not accept the sexual advances of the male. Brutal fights for the attention of females, often with fatal consequences, are absolutely normal among Wolves.
She-wolves reach sexual maturity in the second year of life, and Wolves - at 3 years.
Wolves have only 1 estrus per year, so that the cubs are born in the warm spring, when there is enough food around.
Wolf couple First, he takes care of a safe shelter for future offspring. These can be either various secluded places, or other people's burrows of badgers or arctic foxes; they rarely dig their own burrows.
Only the She-Wolf uses the lair; she is also involved in raising small wolf cubs, which at first resemble the puppies of an ordinary dog. Usually, the She-Wolf gives birth to from 3 to 13 wolf cubs, and the whole pack helps to feed them.
But despite close care from parents and other Wolves, in the first year of life only 20-40% of wolf cubs survive. This is due to disease, lack of food and competition within the family, when stronger puppies receive more food, and weaker ones gradually die.
Wolves have a rather interesting voice, which has much greater capabilities than other animals. Wolves don't just howl They are also believed to be able to grunt, whine, squeal, yelp, bark and growl. Moreover, they are fully aware of these sounds and understand the information voiced by their fellow tribesmen. This helps to find out where prey is hiding, where to go hunting, and even report the appearance of people. And the collective howl of a wolf is a distinctive feature of active social life.
By the way, The wolves can hear fellow tribesman and transmit messages from a distance of about 8 kilometers.
The Wolf has a very highly developed sense of smell, he distinguishes odors 100 times better than a person, so scent plays one of the main roles in the wolf family.
Wolves are strong and hardy animals that can cover a distance of up to 80 km, and if necessary develop speed 60 km/h, which is one of the important conditions for survival.
In nature Wolves survive up to 15 years, but already at 10-12 years old they show signs of old age.
The wolf also symbolizes devotion and loyalty in the family; it is associated with many heroes of folk tales and epics of the ancient cultures of the peoples of the North, where it personifies strength and courage. But sometimes he is perceived as an evil and negative character who is greedy and greedy, and sometimes serves dark forces.
One of the most mysterious and amazing animals on the planet is the wolf. The ferocious predator demonstrates masterful skills during the hunt, and loyalty and care in the pack. People still cannot unravel the mystery of this beautiful animal. Next, we invite you to read more exciting and interesting facts about wolves.
1.Determining weather conditions, wolves are able to hear sound signals that sound at a distance of 9 kilometers.
2. Wolf blood, which the Vikings drank before battle, raised morale.
3.The first images of wolves were found in caves that are 20,000 years old.
4. Wolves are able to distinguish more than 200 million odors.
5. Wolf cubs are always born with blue eyes.
6.A she-wolf bears her cubs for about 65 days.
7. Wolf cubs are always born blind and deaf.
8.Wolves are terrestrial predators.
9.In ancient times, wolves lived only in deserts and tropical forests.
10. A pack of wolves can include either 2-3 individuals or 10 times more.
11. In one sitting, a wolf who is very hungry can eat about 10 kg of meat.
12.Wolves can swim and they can swim 13 km.
13.The smallest representatives of the wolf family live in the Middle East.
14.Wolves communicate by howling.
15.Crows usually live where wolves live.
16.The Aztecs used wolf liver to treat melancholy.
17.Residents of European countries created a special powder based on wolf liver, which could be used to relieve labor pain.
18.Wolves are the first animals to be protected as endangered species.
19.Wolves prefer to eat their relatives who are caught in a trap. Therefore, it is better for hunters to quickly pick up the wolf from the trap.
20. Representatives of wolves can weigh 100 kg.
21. A hybrid of a wolf and a dog is a dog of the Wolfdog breed. Moreover, the wolf was crossed with a German shepherd.
22.Although wolves are not considered carriers of rabies, they can catch it from foxes and raccoons.
23.American wolves attack people less often.
24.Wolves eat their prey alive because they do not have anatomical weapons that can quickly kill the prey.
25.Wolves treat dogs only as their own prey.
26. Previously, Ireland was called the “Land of Wolves” because there were many wolf packs there.
27.The wolf's eyes are endowed with a reflective layer that can glow at night.
28.Wolves react more to movements than to sounds.
29.Black wolves appeared during the mating process of domestic dogs and gray wolves.
30.A mortal fight between wolves begins when several packs meet in the same territory.
31.When biting with their teeth, wolves create pressure of up to 450 kg/cm.
32.Wolves are mysterious animals that were revered by the Arabs, Romans and Indians.
33. These animals cannot be trained, even in captivity.
34.Wolves are devoted life partners to their soulmate.
35.Wolves change partners only if their partner dies.
36.Usually small wolf cubs are raised by females.
37.If the female falls asleep, the male wolf protects her.
38. In every pack of wolves there is a dominant pair, from which all other wolves follow their example.
39.Wolves are lovers of freedom.
40.Wolves become afraid when they see fabric blowing in the wind.
41.Wolves' claws can wear off when they touch the ground.
42.Wolves are very tenacious and hardy animals.
43.The activity of a wolf that does not receive food remains active for 10 days.
44. Wolf cubs weigh 500 grams at birth.
45. In Greece there was a belief that whoever eats a wolf becomes a vampire.
46.Germany is considered the first country to take up the protection of wolf packs.
47.Wolves have many facial movements.
48. The Japanese language ascribes the meaning “great god” to the word “wolf.”
49.Wolves try to attract lonely females by howling.
50.The sense of smell and hearing of wolves is simply excellent.
51.Wolves will weigh less in those representatives who live closer to the Equator.
52.Wolves are able to run without stopping for 20 minutes.
53. In winter, wolf fur is very resistant to frost.
54.Wolves can reproduce after reaching the age of 2 years.
55. Newborn wolf cubs leave the den within 3 weeks after birth.
56.On average, a she-wolf gives birth to 5-6 babies.
57.Usually, wolf cubs are born in the summer.
58. Wolf cubs can increase in size up to 30 times in the first 4 months after birth.
59. During the mating season, wolves are more aggressive.
60. A wolf’s sense of smell is 100 times stronger than a human’s.
61.Wolves are color blind.
62. A wolf who was kicked out of the pack or left it himself is called a loner.
63.Wolves have lived on Earth for more than 100 million years.
64.Each wolf has a different character: some are self-confident and daring, others are cautious.
65.Each pack of wolves hunts only in its own territory.
66.The tail of the pack leader wolves rises very high.
67. Showing tenderness to each other, wolves rub their muzzles and lick their lips.
68.Wolves move most of all in the spring.
69.Wolves are very attached to their own children.
70.In patriarchal times, wolves were compared to grooms who stole brides.
71.Wolf hunting was considered the most popular hobby of noble people.
72.Wolves are able to react to a person who imitates a howl.
73.When a wolf feels anxious, it raises its head up.
74.Wolves breed only in winter.
75.The leaders of a wolf pack must constantly confirm their status.
76.Wolves are much smarter than dogs because their brains are larger.
77.Wolves are not the least bit afraid of humans.
78.Wolf howls can sound in different ranges.
79.Even though wolves are carnivorous animals, they also eat carrots and watermelons.
80. Arctic wolves do not rush at deer until the moment they have hope in their hearts of swallowing a mouse.
81. Newborn wolf cubs early become interested in the world around them.
82.It is not for nothing that wolves are considered “forest orderlies”; they clear the territory of sick and dead animals.
83.Even when death occurs, wolves will try to save their neighbor.
84.Wolves were the heroes of films and legends.
85.Wolves are able to sense their prey at a distance of 1.5 km.
86.Black wolves have greater resistance to infectious diseases.
87. She-wolves weigh about 5-10 kg less than males.
88. Wolf cubs that are 1.5 months old can already run away from danger.
89.Due to food shortages, wolves feed on carrion.
90.Wolves can kill foxes, but they will not eat them.
91. Red wolves reproduce well in captivity.
92.The gray wolf has a large and heavy head.
93. Most of the wolf's undercoat falls out in the spring and grows back in the fall.
94. Coyote wolves live in the same den for several years.
95. Coyote wolves have a lifespan of 10 years.
96. Respect for the leader of the wolf pack is shown by special facial movements of these animals.
97.Wolves live in pairs in their dens.
98.When the teeth of a newborn wolf cub begin to erupt, the mother rubs its gums with her tongue.
99. In the process of hunting other animals, wolves use the method of reeling.
100.Keeping a wolf in a kennel will not work, because in a short time it can learn to open a lock.
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