Wolf

Animals Unique | Wolf | The wolf is thought to be an ice age survivor, dating wolves around 300.000 years ago. The wolf is accepted to be the ancestor of the domestic dog as the wolf is thought to have Bred in order to selectively breed appealing traits typical of puppies and to Eliminate the not so appealing traits of adult wolves.

 

The gray wolf is a highly adaptive animal found in all Kinds of terrain. Wolves Inhabit forests, deserts, mountains, tundras, grasslands and even urban areas with the wolf being a particularly dominant and ruthless predators within it's environment. They Vary in color from pure white to pure black and every shade of brown and gray inbetween. At one time the wolf had the widest distribution of any mammal. The biggest wolves on earth live in Alaska and average 125-135 lb. One specimen was taken That weighed 200 lb. The smallest wolves live in Iran and averages about 60 lb.

The wolf lives to be approximately 10 years old in the wild. Wolves live in packs That Generally consist of the alpha male wolf, his mate the alpha female, and Their offspring of Various ages. Other wolves may also join, but it is the parents are the leaders That. The wolf has no real natural predators; Their biggest threat is other wolf packs on adjacent territories. The wolf has been known to live up to 20 years old in captivity.

Wolves are Carnivorous animals and large animals Generally hunt wolves but will also hunt smaller animals if They are need of Their daily meal. Wolves hunt together in their packs and work together as a team in order to catch and kill a large animal moose and deer as Such. Wolves are opportunists and will not waste energy chasing a healthy Their deer 10 miles when an injured or sick one is available. The Alaskan native peoples call the wolf the "wild shepherd of the caribou".

 

Wolves have a thick layer of fur the which is particularly needed for Those wolves That Inhabit areas of the Arctic circle where it can be extremely cold. It is during the winter months in these areas are most critical That calories. Larger animals as elk and deer Such Suffer greatly from the cold and lack of food to eat and it is during this time That the prey of the wolf is at its slowest and therefore is Easier to catch.

Wolves are Considered to be an endangered species today as wolves have been exterminated from Their Widely former ranges by hunting, poisoning, and trapping to procure Their fur and to protect livestock. Wolves have also been severely affected by habitat loss and have been pushed into smaller and smaller territories where the food source may not be plentiful enough to sustain a hungry wolf pack and where heavy inbreeding Occurs.

Wolves growing niche to mate in late winter to early spring and the wolf cubs are born are born a couple of months later when the weather is warmer and prey is abundant. The wolf cubs then have the rest of the year to grow Stronger in order to be Able to survive Their first winter cold. Their Wolf cubs stay with mother in the wolf pack with the female wolf cubs Often leaving to form a pack of Their Own.

 

Wolves can interbreed with dogs Freely, redwolves, coyotes, and jackals to Produce fertile offspring. This is a case of incomplete speciation. There are physical, behavioral, and ecological differences Between these species, but genetically They are fully compatible. None of the animals in this group can breed with foxes, the which are too far separated genetically.

Wolf Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Scientific Name: Canis Rufus
Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Size: 60-91cm (24-36in)
Weight: 25-40kg (55-88lbs)
Top Speed: 75km / h (46mph)
Life Span: 10-12 years
Lifestyle: Pack
Conservation Status: Threatened
Colour: Black, Brown, Grey, White
Skin Type: Fur
Favourite Food: Deer
Habitat: Grass plains and woodland
Average Litter Size: 4
Main Prey: Deer, Elk, Moose
Predators: Human
Special Features: Thick, warm fur and loud noise Howling