Where does the mainland wolf live? Common wolf. What do wolves eat?

Less than half of the historical “reserve”. This is the number of wolf species on the planet. There are 7 living species of predators. 2 more have sunk into oblivion. Four of the existing species are listed in Red. One of the four wolves was even declared missing. However, scientists managed to film “the last of the Mohicans” on video cameras.

Extinct wolf species

Since ancient times, wolves have been endowed with demonic powers. It is not for nothing that the image of gray was attributed to the dark essence of man. This is how the mythical character appeared - the werewolf. It does not belong to the official species of grays, and the existence of wolf-people has not been proven.

Another question is the existence of 8 ancient species of predator. Their existence has been proven through skeletal finds, drawings and records from bygone eras.

dire wolf

This predator lived back in the late Pleistocene. This is one of the eras of the Quaternary period. It began 2.5 million years ago and ended 11 thousand years ago. So primitive people hunted dire wolves.

The animal became extinct during the last ice age. There were several of them during the Pleistocene. The latter was distinguished by the severity of the frosts.

Appearance of a wolf terrible lived up to its name. The predator was one and a half meters long and weighed over 100 kilograms. Modern wolves are never larger than 75 kilos, that is, at least a third less. The bite force of prehistoric ones was just as superior to the grip of modern grays.

There lived a dire wolf in Severnaya. The remains of the animal were found in Florida, Mexico City, and California. Wolves from the east and center of the continent had longer legs. Skeletons found in Mexico City and California have short legs.

Kenai wolf

That's who should be called terrible. However, the remains of the Kenai Gray were found later than the prehistoric one. The animal, which once lived in Alaska, reached a length of 2.1 meters. This does not include the 60 cm tail. The height of the wolf exceeded 1.1 meters. The predator weighed about a hundredweight. Such dimensions allowed the predator to hunt moose.

The existence of the Kenai Gray was established by studying wolf skulls found in Alaska. According to research, the species was described in 1944 by Edward Goldman. This is an American zoologist.

The Kenai wolf became extinct by the 1910s. The beast was exterminated by settlers who arrived in Alaska. Predators died while being hunted and due to the use of strychnine by people. It is obtained from the seeds of the cherry grass and is used to kill rodents.

Newfoundland wolf

He lived not only on the island of Newfoundland, but also on the east coast of Canada. Describing wolf species criteria, it is worth mentioning first of all the black stripe along the ridge on a snow-white background. The indigenous people of Newfoundland called the predator Beothuk.

The Newfoundland gray was exterminated by settlers. For them, the predator was a threat to livestock. Therefore, the government set a reward for the killed wolves. Each one was given 5 pounds. In 1911, the last island gray was shot. The species was officially declared extinct in 1930.

Tasmanian marsupial wolf

In fact, he was not a wolf. The animal was compared to the gray one due to its external resemblance. However, the Tasmanian predator was a marsupial. Still premature cubs “came out” into the skin fold on the abdomen. In the bag they developed to the point where they could go out into the world.

Transverse stripes ran along the back of the Tasmanian wolf. They encouraged associations with zebra or. In terms of body structure, the marsupial resembled a short-haired dog.

The official name of the species is thylacine. The last one was shot in 1930. There were still a few animals left in zoos. The Tasmanian wolf lived there until 1936.

Japanese wolf

He was short-eared and short-legged, lived on the islands of Sikoko, Honshu and Kyushu. The last animal of the species was shot in 1905. 5 stuffed Japanese wolves have been preserved. One of them is exhibited at the University of Tokyo. The other four stuffed animals are also in Tokyo, but in the National Museum.

Japanese animal species wolf was small. The body length of the predator was no more than a meter. The animal weighed approximately 30 kilos.

In the 21st century, Japanese scientists reconstructed the genome of the extinct wolf. Protein compounds were isolated from the enamel of the teeth of the disappeared animal. The fangs were taken from the skeletons found. Squirrels were planted on the skin of modern wolves. It turned out that the genome of island grays differs by 6% from the DNA set of continental individuals.

Mogollon mountain wolf

The Mogollon Mountains are located in Arizona and New Mexico. A wolf once lived there. He was dark gray with white markings. The length of the animal reached 1.5 meters, but more often it was 120-130 centimeters. The Mogollon predator weighed 27-36 kilograms.

The species was officially declared extinct in 1944. Compared to other wolves, the Mogollon was long-haired.

Rocky Mountain Wolf

Also an American, but he already lived in the mountains of Canada, in particular, the province of Alberta. Part of the population lived in the northern United States. The color of the animal was light, almost white. The predator was medium in size.

Glacier National Park is located in Montana. The name translates as "Glacier". The area is cold. It was the first in the world to be recognized as an international park. This happened in 1932. Well, there are reports of several wolves living in Glacier that fit the parameters of a Rocky Mountain predator. There is no official confirmation of the information yet.

Manitoba wolf

Named after the Canadian province of Manitoba. Representatives of the extinct species had thick, light, long fur. Clothes were made from it. Also, the skins of Manitoba predators were used to decorate and insulate homes. This served as an additional incentive to shoot predators that were attacking livestock.

The Manitoba wolf was artificially recreated in Yellowstone National Park. However, experiments with the genetic material of an extinct predator made it possible to create a “double” rather than a “twin.” The genome of the modern Manitoba gray differs little from the real one.

Wolf of Hokkaido

Otherwise known as Ezo, he lived on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. The predator was distinguished by a large skull with large and curved fangs. The size of the animal exceeded the parameters of the island Japanese gray, approaching those of an ordinary wolf.

The Hokkaido wolf's fur was slightly yellowish and short. The predator’s paws were no different in length. The last representative of the species became extinct in 1889. The cause of the death of the population was the same shooting, “fueled” by government rewards. They got rid of wolves by actively plowing the lands of Hokkaido for farmland.

Florida wolf

He was completely black, thin, with high legs. In general, the animal resembled a living red wolf, but of a different color.

From the name of the animal it is clear that it lived in Florida. The last individual was shot in 1908. In addition to hunting, the reason for the extinction of the species was its displacement from its habitat. The Florida wolf preferred the American prairies.

Current species of wolves

In fact, there are not 7, but 24 existing wolves, since the ordinary gray has 17 subtypes. We will separate them into a separate chapter. For now, 6 self-sufficient and “lonely” species of wolves:

Red Wolf

Red Wolf-view, which has absorbed the external signs not only of gray, but also of a fox. The latter is reminiscent of the red color of the fur and its length on the back and sides of the predator. In addition, the wolf has a narrow muzzle, like the red cheat. The long, fluffy tail of the red predator also resembles that of a fox. The body structure is closer to a jackal, just as lean.

Around the eyes, nose and at the end of the red tail the fur is almost black. Together with the tail, the length of the animal is 140 centimeters. A wolf weighs 14-21 kilograms.

Red Predator Presents types of wolves in Russia, but is listed as endangered on Federation lands. However, outside the country the predator is also protected. Hunting is allowed only in India and only with a license.

polar Wolf

He's white. According to the name and color, the predator lives in. In order not to succumb to the cold, the animal grew thick and long fur. The polar one also has short ears. This eliminates heat loss through large sinks.

Among the existing ones, the polar wolf is large. The height of the animal reaches 80 centimeters. Height is also 80, but kilograms.

In conditions of food shortage, the polar predator goes without food for several weeks. Then the animal will either die or still get the game. When hungry, an Arctic wolf can eat 10 kilograms of meat at a time.

Food supplies in the Arctic are declining due to melting glaciers, climate change, and poaching. The number of polar wolves has also decreased. It is listed in the International Red Book.

Maned wolf

The name is due to the presence of a “necklace” of long hair on the wolf’s neck and shoulders. It is tough, reminiscent of a horse's mane. Similarly, the animal lives in the pampas and prairies. The main wolf population settled in Yuzhnaya. There is no animal beyond the ocean.

Maned, lean, high-legged. The latter property allows the animal not to “drown” among the tall pampas grasses. You need to look out for prey, and to do this you need to be above the “situation.”

The predator's coloring is red. Unlike the Arctic wolf, the maned wolf has large ears. At the same time, an American is comparable in height to a resident of the Arctic Circle, but weighs less. On average, a maned wolf weighs 20 kilograms.

There is no threat of extinction of the species yet. However, the maned wolf is listed in the International Red Book as endangered. The status indicates a declining population of a still thriving species.

Ethiopian wolf

How many types of wolves don’t overdo it, but you won’t find anything more like a fox. The animal is red, with a long and fluffy tail, large and pointed ears, a thin muzzle, and high paws.

The predator is endemic to Ethiopia, that is, it is not found outside of Ethiopia. Before the DNA test, the animal was classified as a jackal. After research, it turned out that the predator’s genome is closer to wolves.

Compared to jackals, the Ethiopian wolf has a larger muzzle but small teeth. The height of the African predator at the withers is 60 centimeters. The length of the animal reaches a meter, and the maximum weight is 19 kilograms.

The Ethiopian wolf is recognized as a rare species and is listed in the International Red Book. The species' extinction is partly due to interbreeding with domestic dogs. This is how the genetic uniqueness of wolves is lost. Among other reasons for extinction, the main one is human development of wild territories.

Tundra wolf

The least studied of the existing ones. Externally, the animal looks like a polar predator, but is not as big in size, weighing no more than 49 kilograms. The height of large males reaches 120 centimeters. Females are inferior to the stronger sex in height, weight, but not body length.

The thick fur of the tundra wolf consists of guard hairs approximately 17 centimeters long and downy undercoat. The layer of the latter is 7 cm.

Spanish wolf

The small red-gray wolf, as the name suggests, lives in Spain. The species was declared extinct, but scientists were able to find several surviving individuals.

Spanish wolves have white markings on the lips and dark ones on the tail and front legs. In other respects, the predator is similar to the common wolf. Many scientists consider the Spaniard to be its subspecies.

Gray wolf and its varieties

Seventeen subspecies of the gray wolf is a relative number. Scientists are arguing about the separation of this or that population from others. Let's get acquainted with the subspecies that have clearly “defended” their right to a separate place in the classification. Six of them are found in Russia:

Russian wolf

It lives in the north of the country, weighs from 30 to 80 kilograms. Females are approximately 20% smaller than males. One day, hunters shot an 85-kilogram predator.

Otherwise, a Russian is called ordinary; he does not need to introduce his appearance. As for the temperament, domestic grays are more aggressive than similar animals from America. Some individuals of the common wolf are black in color.

Siberian wolf

Typical not only for, but also for the Far East. There are not only gray, but also ocher individuals. Their fur is thick, but it cannot be called long.

The size of the Siberian is not inferior to the ordinary one. Only the sexual dimorphism between males and females of the subspecies is less pronounced.

Caucasian wolf

Among Russian wolves, its fur is the shortest, coarse and sparse. The animal itself is small, rarely weighing more than 45 kilograms.

The color of the Caucasian predator is gray-ochre. The tone is dark. Siberian and common wolves are light gray, and thujas are almost black.

Central Russian wolf

This gray wolf species has a formidable Representatives of the subspecies are larger than tundra wolves. The body length of the Central Russian gray reaches 160 centimeters. The height of the animal is 100-120 centimeters. The Central Russian wolf gains weight of 45 kilograms.

The subspecies is typical for the central regions of Russia, occasionally entering Western Siberia. Preference is given to forests. Therefore, there is an alternative name for the subspecies - timber wolf.

Mongolian wolf

Among those found in Russia, it is the smallest. The predator lives in the forest-tundra of Kamchatka and Western Siberia. Externally, the Mongolian wolf differs not only in size, but also in the off-white tone of its coat. It is hard and rough to the touch.

The name of the species is associated with its homeland. This is Mongolia. It was from there that wolves of the subspecies moved to Russian territories.

Steppenwolf

It has a rusty-gray color, tending towards brown. It is darker on the back, and lighter on the sides and belly of the animal. The predator's fur is short, sparse and coarse.

The steppe subspecies of the gray wolf is typical of southern Russia, living in the Caspian lands, steppes in front of the Caucasus Mountains and the Lower Volga region.

It becomes clear why Russians call wolves gray. On the territory of the Federation, a gray tone is present in the color of all predators living here. However, in principle, wolves are both red and black. However, no matter what the color of the animal, the main thing in the social hierarchy is size. The largest individuals become the leaders of wolf packs. Usually these are males.

Wolf and the dog are the closest relatives. In addition, these mammals belong to the same family, called canines or canines. Strictly speaking, wolves are one of the genera of this family, of which coyotes and jackals are also considered members.

The same name as this genus is given to a species that is usually called: wolf. But one of the subspecies of this species is just. In addition, as is known, domestic dogs descended from wolves, therefore, the latter are their direct ancestors.

DNA studies have made it possible to identify several genealogical lines in wolves. More precisely, these predatory mammals have four of them. According to these data, the most ancient are African wolves, which appeared on Earth several hundred thousand years ago.

And later, on the territory of modern Hindustan, three other lines of wolves began to form one after another: the Himalayan, Indian and Tibetan. From these four groups of ancestors all types of modern wolves originated, which have now spread across the territory of many continents.

The range of these fauna representatives has always been extensive. True, over the past centuries it has nevertheless decreased significantly due to the uncontrolled and excessive extermination of these animals. For example, wolves have become completely extinct in Japan.

These were mainly representatives of the Honshu and Hokkaido subspecies. The Newfoundland variety living in Canada, as well as some others, disappeared without a trace. However, wolves are now common in many countries of the Eurasian continent. In Russia they are found almost everywhere.

The only exceptions are Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, as well as some taiga regions of our country. In the North, the range of these predators is also very extensive and extends from Alaska to Mexico.

The appearance of wolves is characterized by the following features. This is primarily a streamlined chest and a sloping back, a long tail. Their paws with blunt claws are distinguished by their strength, and the front legs are longer than the hind legs. The fur of these animals is endowed with the remarkable ability to retain heat. Therefore, even in areas with a harsh climate, wolves are able to take root well and feel great.

When moving through snowy areas, their paws are kept warm by a special structure of the circulatory system. There are membranes between the toes of wolves; they increase the surface area of ​​support for the legs, and, therefore, reduce the load on the soil when moving along it.

Therefore, even if the ground is covered with a significant layer of snow, the wolf is able to move quickly and easily across it. Balance when running is ensured by the habit of this animal not relying on the entire foot, but only on the toes. And bristly wolf hair, as well as rough claws, help to linger on a slippery and steep surface covered with a crust of ice.

And one more feature helps wolves survive in harsh natural conditions. On the feet, between their toes, there are glands that secrete an odorous substance. Therefore, the traces of the leader are able to provide information to the entire flock about where he went, thus they help to navigate, finding the right direction on the ground. You can see what this animal looks like photo of a wolf.

Types of wolves

In the canine family, the wolf is considered the largest member. But the exact sizes of such creatures depend on the variety and geography of their habitat, while their indicators (body length and weight) vary quite significantly. The most impressive representatives can reach a weight of about 100 kg and a height of two meters.

In total, there are about 17 species of these predatory mammals, according to the latest data.

Let's introduce some of them.

• Common wolf (gray). The body weight of these representatives of the genus of wolves reaches 80 kg, and the length is more than one and a half meters, while they have a half-meter tail. Purely in appearance, such animals resemble large dogs with pointed ears.

Their legs are strong and high. The muzzle is massive, framed by sideburns. Its features are expressive and reflect the mood of the animal: from serene calm, fun and affection to fear, burning malice and anger. The fur of such an animal is two-layered, long, thick.

The vocal range is varied. It can be howling, growling, barking, squealing in the most numerous variations. These animals are widespread in Eurasia (from Spain to Hindustan) and in the northern part of the New World.

• The Arctic wolf is considered only a subspecies of the just described gray wolf. This is a rare variety. Such animals live in the regions of cold and eternal snow in Alaska and Greenland. They are also found in northern Canada.

Among the representatives of the genus, these specimens are very large; the males are especially large. Looking at such an animal from afar, you might think that it is White Wolf, but upon closer examination it becomes clear that the light fur of this animal has a slightly noticeable reddish tint. But at the same time it is very thick, and fluffy on the legs and tail.

• The timber wolf is not inferior in size to the Arctic wolf, and in some cases even exceeds it. Only the height at the shoulders of these animals is about a meter. From the name it is clear that this is forest animals.

Wolves This variety is also called Central Russian, which indicates the places of their settlement, which also extend to Western, sometimes to the forest-tundra and even to the north.

The color of these animals, as well as their size, largely depend on their habitat. Northern residents are usually larger and have a lighter coat color. In areas to the south, wolves with a gray-brown tint of fur are found mainly.

• The Mackensen wolf is whitish in color and is considered the most common wolf among wolves on the North American continent. Recently, active measures have been taken to breed them.

To do this, such animals were transported to Yellowstone Park, an international reserve, where they took root and reproduced in the best possible way, which significantly contributed to the increase in their numbers. Such animals are closely related to timber wolves.

• Maned wolf. In general, it is believed that wolves do not inhabit the territory of South America. But this species (an inhabitant of some areas of the indicated continent) has a peculiar appearance and only vaguely resembles many of its relatives.

Such animals have red fur, and got their name because of the mane, very similar to a horse's, it grows on the shoulders and neck. These wolves have a lean figure, and their weight usually does not exceed 24 kg.

Since this animal has to move a lot through areas covered with tall grasses, looking for prey there, it has long legs. This species is considered endangered.

• Red Wolf also does not look very similar in appearance to its relatives and only resembles them in behavior. Its body structure is most identical to the jackal. But its fur is just like a fox’s in color and beauty.

These are small but very smart predators. They have a fluffy and long tail, large rounded ears and a short muzzle. These animals mainly live in Asia.

Lifestyle and habitat

A variety of landscape types can become habitats for wolves. However, they live much more often in forests. They are able to inhabit mountainous areas, but only in those areas where movement through various areas is not too difficult.

During periods of cold weather, wolves prefer to live in packs, and they usually do not leave pre-selected territories. And to mark their possessions, they leave odorous marks, which inform other animals that the area (their area usually reaches 44 km 2) is already occupied. They often choose shelters not far from human settlements, having adapted to carry people’s livestock.

In this way they chase herds of deer, sheep and other domestic animals. However, with the onset of the warm season, these communities of predators are divided into pairs, each of which chooses to exist separately from the pack. And only the strongest wolves remain in the inhabited territory, while the rest are forced to go look for other shelters.

Since ancient times, such animals have instilled a fair amount of fear in the human race. But what animal is a wolf, and is it really so dangerous for bipeds? Conducted research suggests that these predators almost never initiate attacks.

Therefore, if there is no direct threat from people, then their lives are not in danger. Exceptions do happen, but they are rare. And according to experts, in these cases attacks are committed only by mentally ill, hyper-aggressive individuals.

The character qualities of wolves, their energy, power, expression, as well as the ability of these predators to fight and win battles, have often evoked a feeling of admiration in humans since time immemorial. Some of the people even felt a spiritual kinship and natural connection with this animal, and therefore chose wolf totem animal.

The ancients believed that if you tune into a certain psychological wave through magical rituals, you can draw energy from such a being and receive strength from it. These are very highly developed creatures.

There really is a lot to learn from them. When hunting and fighting, they use very interesting tactics, which many peoples of the past adopted to fight military battles.

During periods when wolves unite in packs, its members live exclusively for the common good, sacrificing their interests in everything for the society of their own kind. And be different wild wolves would not be able to survive in the harsh conditions of the harsh natural environment. In these communities, there is a strict hierarchy, where everyone unquestioningly obeys the leader, and each member of the pack has their own responsibilities.

This society is governed without violence or restrictions on freedom. However, this structure is a well-oiled machine. And the social status of members is determined by the gender, age and individual abilities of each individual.

Nutrition

When attacking livestock, wolves use the following tactics, which are very common for these representatives of the fauna. First, sitting in ambush, they wait for victims to appear. Then some of the predators remain in shelter, for example, in the bushes, while other members of the group of four-legged hunters chase the prey in a given direction, thereby dooming it to certain death.

Wolves often starve other ungulates to death. Part of the pack chases the prey, and when the pursuers get tired, they are replaced by other, full of strength wolves. In this way the fate of the persecuted is decided.

That's how world of wolves, he is merciless and cruel. Often these creatures are able to satisfy the hunger even of their own kind, sick and wounded individuals. However, these animals cannot but impress with their intelligence and courage.

Such predators in a pack hunt large game: deer, wild boar, roe deer, antelope. But individuals of this tribe can catch gophers, rodents, and waterfowl. Hungry wolves do not disdain the corpses of a wide variety of animals.

From the plant menu they eat fruits, melons, mushrooms, and pick berries, but for them this is not food, but drink, that is, the juice of these crops helps them quench their thirst.

These dangerous creatures go hunting at night. And they communicate with each other by giving a variety of sound signals. And absolutely each of them, be it grumbling, growling, squealing or barking, is endowed with a number of variations.

Reproduction and lifespan

Strict monogamy reigns among wolves. And even after the death of a partner, the other remains enviably faithful to him. And gentlemen usually win the attention of free females in cruel and bloody skirmishes with rivals.

When a union of two opposite-sex individuals is finally formed, the members of the pair actively begin to search for a family den, because they need to prepare everything in time and properly for the appearance of offspring.

Mating games that fall during the female wolf's estrus period usually occur in winter or spring. This regime, inherent in the wolf’s nature, turns out to be very convenient in the temperate climate zone, because the couple’s offspring appear at a time when the cold weather is receding, and the new winter is far away, which means that the wolf cubs have time to grow up, become stronger and learn a lot by the harsh times.

The gestation period for a female wolf lasts about two months, after which puppies are born. How they are born and how they grow is not difficult to imagine for those who have dogs at home, because it is already known that these animals are directly related. Wolf cubs are blind for the first days, and their eyes appear only after two weeks.

At this stage of their lives, the wolf cubs are completely helpless, only poking and squeaking in search of their mother’s nipple, being able only to move by crawling. And then they feed on burps offered to them by their parents, but are already raised on a meat diet.

One-month-old puppies are already much more independent, they move well and play with their brothers and sisters. Soon the new generation becomes stronger, and the wolf cubs attempt to hunt for food.

Unfortunately, the mortality rate among the wolf tribe is very high. Already in the first year of life, half of the litter dies for various reasons. But those who safely pass this period soon give birth to their offspring. A similar physiological opportunity in wolves occurs at two years of age. And males mature a year later.

Wolf – animal, comparable to a dog, including in terms of lifespan. They begin to feel old after 10 years. Such members of the wolf pack have the right to food, care and protection. Wolves die at about 16 years of age, although purely theoretically they are capable of living for more than twenty years.

Appearance: A well-built body with a broad chest rests on tall, muscular legs with tightly clenched toes. The forehead-shaped and at the same time graceful head of a wolf with medium-sized ears and a long pincer is decorated with dark stripes around almost pure white cheeks and light spots above the eyes. The short tail hangs almost straight.
The fur is thick and long (up to 8 cm); the undercoat is formed by hard, long black guard hairs at the ends, which repel water, which is why the wolf's undercoat does not get wet. The hair of animals from the middle and southern regions is coarse, while those from the northern regions are quite fluffy and soft.
Wolves moult twice a year. Spring molting in the north begins in the second half of April and lasts until June. Thinning of winter fur begins from the nape and sides, while at the same time the hair on the rump falls off. Gradually, the hair change spreads to the ridge and back of the body. Autumn molting in the north covers the period from late August to late October, sometimes until mid-November.

Lifespan: Wolves can live 12-16 years; many of them die of hunger, others die from a variety of diseases to which they are susceptible in the same way as dogs.

Eating behavior: On average, wolves eat 4.5 kg of meat per day, and in case of successful harvest they can eat up to 9 kg. A wolf requires at least 1.5 kg of food per day, and about 2.3 kg for successful reproduction. Ideas about the extreme gluttony of the wolf are exaggerated and are explained by the fact that predators, having caught one or another large animal and having had enough, take away the remaining meat and hide it, so that it seems that the prey was eaten at one time. Wolves are hardy animals and can go without food for two weeks or more.

Behavior

In most cases, the wolf confines itself to a den; much less often (mainly in open areas - steppe, tundra, etc.) it settles in burrows, adapting old burrows of marmots, foxes, badgers, and arctic foxes. For a den, he usually uses natural shelters - depressions under the roots of an inverted tree, among a windbreak, a rock cleft or the slope of a ravine, etc. The den is located in the most remote place, difficult for humans to reach - in an overgrown ravine, on a mane among a vast swamp or in a dense small forests on its outskirts, etc. If there is a lack of convenient places, especially in the steppe regions, but sometimes even in the forest zone, the den is made in the remains of hay or straw. The den is used with great consistency from year to year, and only the complete extermination of the brood leads to the disappearance of wolves from a given point for a number of years. A permanent den serves only for the period of raising young ones, and during the rest of the year, wolves lead a more or less wandering life. However, in the middle zone, migrations do not leave the boundaries of the hunting area and only in the tundra and steppes are more widespread.
The wolf has a well-developed sense of smell and hearing, which helps it easily find prey. In the wind, he picks up the scent of even the smallest animal located 1-2 kilometers away. Having heard a noise, the wolf moves its ears and determines where the sound comes from.
Wolves can be found at different times of the day, but they are most active at night and at dusk. Most often, wolves move at a walk or trot, less often at a gallop, and in some cases, at a short distance, they move to a quarry. The chain of traces is distinguished by its straightness, and each individual print has a clear outline.
A pack of wolves moves in single file, exactly like a trail, and only at turns and stopping places can you find out the number of animals. Thanks to its strong muscular paws, the wolf can trot for a long time at a speed of 9 km/h, and in pursuit of deer and elk it accelerates to 60 km/h.
Wolves have a well-developed sign language (facial expressions, position and movements of the tail, head, ears, body, etc.), which unites the pack and helps it act together. A welcoming ceremony is also obligatory in the pack, when the members of the pack express their respect to the leader - they approach him crawling with their ears flattened and their fur smoothed, licking and carefully biting his face.

Hunting behavior: Wolves are very highly developed predators. They have great physical strength, endurance and agility. When wolves hunt in packs, they distribute responsibilities among themselves: part of the pack drives the prey, while the other sits in ambush. The hunting methods of wolves are extremely varied and depend both on the conditions of the area, the type of prey, and on the experience of a particular individual or pack. Thus, in winter, wolves often drive ungulates onto crust or frozen ponds, where it is easier for them to catch up and overpower even strong prey. Some packs drive their prey into natural dead ends: tree debris, scattered stones, ravines, etc. Like foxes, wolves can “mouse” while hunting for small rodents and insectivores. A characteristic feature of the feeding behavior of wolves, like many other predators, is the hoarding of food. It has long been known that a wolf never hunts near its nest; this is precisely what can explain the observation of young roe deer and wolf cubs playing together in the same clearing.
Depending on the results of the hunt, the night journey is 25-40 km, but if necessary it can be much longer. As indicated, in the central zone of the country, even in the autumn-winter period, migrations go beyond the permanent hunting area of ​​​​a given couple or family. In the tundra and in the Asian steppes and deserts, wolf migrations cover much larger areas and often take on the character of long-distance migrations following herds of reindeer, roe deer, etc. In the mountains, regular seasonal movements of wolves are observed from one vegetation zone to another. For example, in the Caucasus, wolves in the summer and autumn stay mainly in the alpine and subalpine zones, and in the winter they migrate down to the fir and beech forests, where there is less snow and the main wintering grounds of ungulates are concentrated. In addition to regular seasonal movements, there are known cases of sudden appearance of large numbers of wolves in some areas.

Gray or common wolf (lat. Canis lupus) is the hero of such a myriad of fairy tales, songs, mysterious stories and legends that, perhaps, a rare predator would be able to challenge his leadership. Judge for yourself.

A long time ago, when we were small, and the trees, as usual, were large, our affectionate grandmothers, rocking cradles with precious contents, quietly sang: “ The little gray wolf will come..." Later, from our mother, we heard a fascinating tale about a wolf and seven naughty kids, and some time later we enjoyed the cheerful singing of the cheerful piglets: “ We are not afraid of the gray wolf!».

It seems as if the gray predator is everywhere - in books, parables, films. When we see mature, seasoned individuals with a gaze, we feel taken aback - how can we not remember the chilling stories about werewolves? And the sight of tiny wolf cubs playing evokes a spontaneous desire to cuddle them - so hot that it is difficult to resist. Give or take, puppies! In fact, the similarity between pets and forest robbers is so great that there is no doubt about the origin.

However, experts will never confuse a wolf, let alone a malamute or a wolf, but they can easily distinguish it even from a coyote and a jackal. The width of the muzzle, the size of the chest, the shape of the skull, the structure of the jaw, the structure of the fur - the signs of a wolf’s appearance are distinguished by a number of unique features. But first things first.

Muscular legs, sloping backs and streamlined chests, coupled with the special structure of their paws, allow wolves to easily cover vast distances in any weather. 5-meter jumps and speeds of up to 60 km per hour are common for a gray predator, recklessly pursuing its prey. Add to this the silent manner of movement achieved by walking on the tips of your toes. Truly, this predator is equipped with a powerful set of tools for a successful hunt.

« Why do you have such big teeth?” Correct answer: because it is the main weapon and means of defense. The terrifying wolf's grin demonstrates 42 sharp, strong teeth that can withstand gigantic loads. With 5-centimeter fangs, the predator easily tears even the thickest skin and, like seeds, chews the strongest bones of the victim. For a pack of wolves, tearing the throat or tearing open the belly of a dozen sheep is a matter of a few minutes. Excess production can be kept in reserve.

flickr/ArcticFox Images

« Why do you need such a long tail?” Oh, this is the real property of the wolf, allowing you to express emotions and demonstrate a wide range of intentions. The long and thick tail, in the language of hunters - a log, is permanently lowered down in gray predators, but even by the subtle movements of this part of the body one can determine the predator’s uncertainty, discern aggression or recognize a playful mood.

However, to show emotions, predators actively use facial expressions, which are rich and expressive. Using a wide arsenal of means - from bared mouths and forward-turned ears to a peculiar smile in combination with ears firmly pressed to the head - wolves easily convey an immense range of feelings.

There are no questions about thick and long hair: the dense waterproof undercoat protects the animal from severe frosts, and the outer guard hair has a dirt-repellent effect. And although the wolf has long been called gray, the color of the predator’s fur, depending on its habitat, differs quite significantly, ranging from white to brick shades, including intermediate red, gray and brown tones. Of course, because the predator has chosen many different landscapes, including steppes with semi-deserts, and mountains with tundra.

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But where wolves really have no equal is in vocal capabilities, and we are talking about both the range and the endless palette of sounds. The classic howl, which gives listeners goosebumps, and the evil growl are just a small part of the entire arsenal. Yelping, grumbling, loud barking, capricious whimpering and even the sounds of crying have many shades and are performed in dozens of variations.

If you think that this is nothing more than warming up the ligaments or, at worst, a standard roll call, you are mistaken. With the help of sounds, wolves communicate with each other, passing important information along the chain. Moreover, some of the representatives of the human race are given the ability to understand the language of predators and decipher complex messages. The famous Eskimo Utek, who lived in the Canadian tundra, at one time managed to “intercept” a message transmitted from flock to flock that the herds of reindeer had radically changed their route. Just imagine how many “messages” wolves can exchange, having a rich range of sounds in their arsenal!

The diet of toothy predators is varied: in addition to deer, elk and other large ungulates, the menu of wolves may also include rabbits with beavers, and even small rodents with small birds. If luck happens to turn away from a pack of hunters prowling in search of food, they can survive for two weeks on sheer enthusiasm, but after such a strict diet they are quite capable of overcoming meat portions of up to 10 kg each.

By the way, a meeting between a person and a well-fed wolf in most cases does not pose even the slightest danger to the biped. A predator with a full stomach is the least eager to attack anyone unnecessarily - it is much more pleasant to get a good night's sleep, and then organize active fun games with relatives.

Wolves devote their time to energetic activities at night - it is under the cover of darkness that they commit robber raids and attacks. The most faithful assistant in finding prey is hearing: even the sense of smell is inferior to the ability to catch barely audible rustles, and vision completely loses this round without a fight.

flickr/Michael Cummings

The innate natural data is reinforced by the developed ability of wolves to competently organize and effectively distribute responsibilities within the pack, quick reaction, intelligence and the ability to adapt to circumstances. It’s no joke, during a hunt, leaders sometimes split the team, leaving some of the wolves in the shelter, and sending the other half to drive the prey straight into the clutches of their brothers waiting in ambush.

There is another case where wolves had to act as victims. Hunters pursuing predators in a helicopter drove the wolves into a grove, after which they inexplicably lost sight of the entire pack. What happened? To become invisible from the air, all the wolves, as one, rose on their hind legs and grabbed the tree trunks with their front legs, completely merging with the landscape.

To earn the honorary title of leader, authority alone in the eyes of the pack is not enough. The hierarchy system has been worked out for centuries and does not allow exceptions. A wolf group is always led by a pair of strong animals - a male and a female, with leadership qualities. The authority of the leaders is beyond doubt: a short sharp “shout” or an attentive look from the leaders is quite enough for the disobedient person who has stepped over the boundaries of what is permitted to understand that he was wrong.

The average wolf team can have from 5 to 40 participants, each of whom occupies a strictly assigned rung of the hierarchical ladder. The individuals closest to the leaders are the oldest wolves in the team, and at the foot of the group are invariably “green” youth who have never smelled gunpowder.

During the mating season, males defend their rights to the lady they like in front of other contenders, not disdaining any means, ready at any moment to engage in a fierce battle with rivals. A couple of leaders also have to be on alert, constantly stopping attacks on their half from their relatives overcome by passion.

Males and females, having found each other, undertake a search for a worthy den for breeding and raising future offspring. In the absence of convenient thickets or a suitable crevice, a ready-made hole will do. The gestation period is a little more than two months, and at the end of this period 3-12 babies are born, in the feeding process of which the entire flock participates. The grown-up “children of the regiment” soon master all the intricacies of hunting and take their assigned position in the pack, replenishing the army of gray predators - dexterous, smart and powerful.

Many people frankly dislike and fear wolves. They consider them aggressive animals. For many, this image is formed in childhood. Everyone knows what a wolf looks like, but few people know its real habits and way of life. Few people can answer the question of how many years a wolf lives.

Appearance

Among domestic animals, the wolf looks like a dog with pointed ears. The body length can reach 160 cm, and the height of the wolf at the withers is 95 centimeters.

The average weight ranges around 60 kilograms, although heavier animals have been officially registered. The largest wolves can weigh up to 80 kilograms inclusive. The size of this predator depends on the latitude of its habitat: the further north the latitude, the larger the predator.

The muzzle is more forehead-shaped than that of a dog and is bordered by whiskers. The chest is narrow and the back is wide. Long, strong paws cannot be called massive. There are small membranes between the toes. The predator has a long thick tail, reaching more than half a meter in length. A distinctive feature of this tail is that it is always down.

The fur, consisting of long guard hairs and a thick, waterproof undercoat, has very low thermal conductivity, which allows the predator to withstand the most unfavorable conditions.

The color of the coat depends on the surrounding landscape. Basically, the color of the animal is a combination of white, gray, brown and black. Of course, the color of the coat directly depends on the species to which the predator belongs.

Varieties

Although more than 35 subspecies have been identified in the wolf family, let’s consider the most notable of them:

1. White- has a peaceful character and beauty. He prefers to hide from his enemies, including people. Lives in the tundra and Arctic.
2. Black- very similar to a dog, with which people often confuse him. The predator's habitat is Alaska and North America.
3. Red- resembles a short-tailed fox. In size it is inferior to its “gray” relatives. He loves rocky mountains and gorges, where he lives.
4. Stepnoy- has small dimensions. Lives in the steppes. It is noteworthy that it uses fox holes for living. Hunts marmots, hares and partridges.

The common or gray species is not mentioned here, since the main story will be about it.

Habitats

Currently, this predator can be found in some European countries: Poland, Spain, Portugal and Italy, as well as in the Scandinavian Peninsula, the Baltic States and the Balkans. It lives in Asian countries such as Korea, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. The Middle East is inhabited by them only in the north. In North America it lives everywhere north of Mexico. This predator does not live in South America.

In Russia, the animal can be found everywhere, with the exception of some islands.

Each species has its own habitat preferences. Wild wolves live in the tundra, semi-desert, steppe, forest-steppe, from the foot of the mountains to the heights of alpine meadows. Not afraid to settle near human habitation.

Having found out where wolves live, we will move on to studying their lifestyle and habits.

Lifestyle and habits

This predator mainly obtains food by hunting. As a hunter he is well equipped. At a speed of 10 km/h he can run for a very long time without getting tired. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 65 km/h. Small membranes between its toes help it move quickly in the snow.

Possessing a very developed sense of smell, the predator is able to smell prey at a distance of more than a kilometer. Vision and hearing are well developed, but the sense of smell is weaker.

These predators prefer to live in packs. The pack is led by an alpha male wolf and an alpha female. Each individual in the flock performs a specific social role. The target of a pack's hunt is always a large animal.

In the summer the flock breaks up, because during this period they can feed themselves individually.

There are wild wolves that prefer to live separately from the pack. They hunt from ambush.

When hunting in a pack, several individuals can play the role of beaters who lead the game to an ambush. However, in general, predators, taking turns replacing each other, force the prey to expend energy faster. By scaring the herd, they accurately identify weakened or sick animals, which they continue to hunt.

Predatory wolves use a prolonged howl to unite the pack and scare away strangers. Like other large predators, they actively mark their territory.

Nutrition

The main objects of hunting for wolves are large ungulates: elk, deer, antelope. They can also slaughter livestock: sheep, cows and horses. If there are few large animals, then wolves can also hunt smaller animals: from mice to foxes. In summer, it often feeds on frogs, lizards and even large insects.

When there is a shortage of food, he easily switches to plant foods. The wolf is an animal that never disdains carrion.

They can hide supplies of food, which they will definitely return to.

Reproduction

The right to reproduce in a flock belongs only to a pair of leaders.

The newly formed pair leaves the flock to breed. It is worth noting that wolves are monogamous.

A she-wolf's pregnancy lasts 60-65 days. Then 3-13 blind wolf cubs are born. The cubs mature in 12-13 days. Wolf cubs always have blue eyes.

While the female is entirely occupied with the cubs, the entire flock brings her food. At first, the wolf cubs feed only on their mother's milk. They are then transferred to meat, which is regurgitated by adults.

Towards the end of summer, young wolves begin to be trained to hunt.

The female becomes sexually mature at the age of 2 years, and the male at the age of 3 years.

Wolves in the wild can live up to 15 years. However, most often 4-6 years is how long wolves live. In captivity, the life expectancy of a wolf can be a record - up to 21 years.

Despite the collective loving care of the cubs, 60-80% die before reaching the age of one year.

Wolf Hunt

Previously, there was a misconception that this predator is a pest of both agriculture and hunting. As a result of year-round hunting, the population has been greatly reduced, and some species have been completely exterminated. By and large, people are the only enemies of the wolf.

Now people, having become more literate in this matter, understand that wolves in nature are orderlies. Now considerable efforts are being made to increase the numbers of these animals.

Wolf cubs willingly play with humans. But they are still not suitable as a pet, because as they grow older they begin to show more and more the habits of wolves.

Only wolf fur is valuable as a hunting object. Meat is not eaten.

Video

You will learn little-known facts about wolves from our video.