THE LIFE OF THE WOLF

Wolves arc highly intelligent. Their acute hearing and exceptional sense of smell - up to 100 times more sensitive than that of humans - make them well-adapted to their surroundings and to finding food. Some researchers estimate that a wolf can run as fast as 40 miles an hour. Wolves have been known to travel 120 miles in a day but they usually travel an average of 10 to 15 miles a clay.

The Wolf, Pack

Wolves live, travel, and hunt in packs of four to seven animals, consisting of an alpha, or dominant pair, their pups, and several other subordinate or young animals. The alpha female and male are the pack leaders, tracking and hunting prey, choosing den sites, and establishing the pack's territory. Like the dogs we love, wolves develop close relationships and strong social bonds. They share sleep affection for their family and will even sacrifice themselves to protect the family unit.

Wolf Pups

The alpha pair mate in January or February and give birth in spring. Litters can contain from one to nine pups, but usually consist of around six. Wolf pups grow rapidly, and romp and play-fight with each other from a very young age. Scientists think that even these early encounters establish hierarchies that will help deterinine which pups will grow up to the pack leaders.

Pups remain with their parents for at least the first year of their lives, while they learn to hunt. During their second year of life, when the parents are raising a new set of pups, young wolves can remain with the pack, or spend periods of time on their own. Frequently; they return in autumn to spend their second winter with the pack. By the time wolves are two years old, however, they leave the pack for good to find mates and territories of their own.

Hunting

Wolves prey mainly on large hoofed mammals (known as ungulates) like deer, elk, moose, caribou, bison, bighorn sheep and muskoxen They also eat smaller prey such as snowshoe hare, beaver, rabbits, opossums and rodents. Although some wolves occasionally prey on livestock, wild prey are by far their preferred food source.
When hunting large animals, pack members frequently all participate in the locating and stalking of prey. After that, anywhere from one to all of the wolves will engage in the chase. Larger prey animals, such as moose, caribou, and elk, don't always run when they encounter a pack of wolves. If the prey animal stands its ground, the wolves will often approach cautiously or abandon their pursuit after a few moments. When a prey animal shows fear, the pack of wolves will chase them.

Most healthy ungulates are fast enough to outrun a pack of wolves. In fact, fewer than one out of ten attempts to chase moose actually end in a successful kill. The pack will usually give up the chase if they start to fall behind. But if the chosen prey is injured, weakened, or old, the wolves can usually catch up and attack. By taking the weakest members, wolves increase the overall health of the remaining herd.

THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF WOLF SPONSORSHIPS

Wolves continue to be threatened by the fear and greed of human predators. To protect wolves, Defenders of Wildlife must have the resources to confront powerful anti-wildlife forces On Capitol Hill, in state houses, and in court rooms. Your support makes our work possible - and that's great news for wolves. Thank you for your support.