What do people know about wolves? What qualities of a wolf first come to mind when talking about these animals? Surely you think that they are dangerous and cruel, insidious and treacherous. However, those who know almost nothing about the life of these animals think this way. In this article we will try to talk a little more about them. Perhaps some interesting fact about wolves will make you change your attitude towards them.

Genus Lupus (wolves)

This genus includes wolves, jackals, coyotes, and dogs. These are the most major representatives wolf It also includes all arctic foxes, foxes, maned wolves and

Each wolf is endowed with its own character - there are individuals who are cautious, self-confident and daring, some of them behave naturally and freely in the company of their fellow tribesmen, while others prefer to stay in the shadow of their more active relatives.

Wolves live on the plains of the northern hemisphere, as well as in the mountains and forests. Unfortunately, in some countries they are completely exterminated. And in Antarctica, white wolves are on the verge of extinction. They are listed in the International Red Book. Hunting these animals is prohibited.

These predators live in various landscapes - forests, tundra, mountains and steppes. They are predominantly sedentary animals, but at the same time they roam very long distances in search of food. As biologists say, in wildlife they occupy their niche. In their habitats, wolves are usually the most large group predators that hunt large mammals.

External characteristics

A male wolf usually weighs about fifty kilograms, a female wolf is five kilograms lighter. Height at withers adult 75 cm, and the body length can be up to two meters. This is, of course, average data.

Wolves have thick, coarse fur with undercoat. The color may vary. There are gray, black, red, red, and white wolves.

Lifestyle

Wolves are animals that prefer to live in families. Any pack of wolves has its own “charter”, in which everyone has their own role. Aggressive and strong young people rule, and those who need a firm hand obey them.

A wolf pack, in which the animals are related, is led by a wolf and a she-wolf. The rest of its members, mainly their offspring (from very stupid puppies to 3-year-old teenagers), obey them. Sometimes strangers join the flock, having left their flock for some reason. Typically, up to 15 animals live in such a family.

Endurance and vitality of wolves

These qualities of a wolf deserve special attention. A hungry predator without food can remain active for up to ten days. The wounded animal moves several kilometers away from the hunters. Surrounded by hunting dogs, it fiercely defends itself until its last breath. And a wolf, caught in a trap, bites off its paw to escape from its pursuers.

There is a known case when a wolf, which broke its paw during a hunt, lay motionless on the ground for 17 days, after which it stood up and continued searching for prey. The will to live of wolves is amazing.

But they have little weaknesses that they know about experienced hunters. Surprisingly, these brave predators are lost at the sight of a rag that flutters in front of their muzzle. This feature led to the appearance of flags. Hunters, having discovered a wolf pack, surround it around the perimeter with a rope with scraps of any fabric hung on it. The wolves, seeing the waving flags, do not dare to jump for them, and the hunters shoot at the animals at point-blank range.

And one more fact. A wolf in the forest never attacks people first. He avoids people, prefers to stay away from him.

Wolf's Lair

The wolf's hole is quite simple. As a rule, it has one entrance. In the forest-steppe regions of Siberia, they have a depth of about four meters, the diameter of the entrance is about 50 cm.

In Transbaikalia, researchers observed how wolves dig tarbagan holes in the fall, and in the spring they discovered wolf litters in them. One of these holes was more than five meters long, forty centimeters wide and twenty-five centimeters high. The nest inside the hole was half filled with dry grass bedding. It contained tarbagan skins.

In the Far North, these predators build burrows along the banks of streams and rivers. In these areas the soil is well drained and there is no permafrost, so digging a hole is easy.

Many holes can be found near the summer pastures of deer. As a rule, wolves wander behind herds of these animals. Before the puppies appear, they move forward, closer to their burrows, where the deer also come, but a little later.

Wolf howl

Each hole is inhabited by one pair of wolves, and they gather into a pack using the means of communication available to them - howl. This is not just the voice of a predator, it is an encrypted message with certain signals. The howl can be attractive (especially in mating season), calling. It can be heard when the leader calls the pack to hunt. The howl can be a response when members of the pack respond to the call of the leader. It can be dying and, finally, entertainment. Oddly enough, wolves often howl without apparent reason, probably this is what their wolf soul asks for.

Social order of the pack

The strongest wolf becomes the leader of the pack. His faithful friend, the she-wolf, helps him manage. In order for pack members to obey them, leaders must have strong character. All decisions that concern the life of the family are made by the wolf and the she-wolf together. In a pack where the leader keeps order, males never fight among themselves. But strangers who violate the boundaries of property are usually severely punished. A wolf pack goes out to hunt only in its own limited territory. The owners guard and mark her very jealously. This is a warning to neighbors that they should stay away from this land.

Sometimes in large packs one wolf is poisoned by all his brothers for unknown reasons. Sometimes it becomes difficult for a rejected animal to live in a family, and he leaves it. He becomes a wandering loner. True, he has a chance to create his own pack if he meets the same lone wolf. If these animals want to rule the pack, they must completely subjugate all its members to their will and force them to obey the laws of the family.

How does a leader rule?

A pack of wolves unconditionally accepts the leadership of the leader. He dominates the males, and his girlfriend keeps order among the she-wolves. The leader never tires of reminding his subordinates who is the master in the pack - he growls at them, bites them, even knocks them down, doing this in front of the whole family.

As a rule, one close and stern look from the leader or his wolf is enough for those he targets to submit. Grinning, and rather ingratiatingly, the wolves fall to the ground, and then, if they succeed, stealthily leave the place of punishment. Sometimes they lie on their backs, as if to say: “We agree that you are the most important.”

Interesting fact about wolves - the position of a predator in a pack can be judged by the way it holds its tail. The leader always has it raised high. For ordinary “subjects” it is omitted. And those individuals who are at the lowest level in the pack tuck their tails between their legs.

Family members show their love and respect for the leader and his mate in a welcoming ceremony. With ears flattened, crawling and fur smoothed, they crawl up to them, lick and gently nibble their faces.

Wild wolves are loyal animals

Probably not everyone knows that wolves are one of the most loyal animals. These powerful predators become very attached to their pack mates. They express their emotions and feelings through body movements and facial expressions. Thanks to the “wolf tongue,” the pack unites and acts as one. They express their tenderness and sympathy by licking each other, while rubbing their muzzles.

Why does a wolf need a tail?

Not everyone knows that a wolf's tail is a kind of indicator that expresses its feelings. If it is raised high and the tip is slightly curved, then this means that the wolf is quite confident in its abilities. A friendly animal lowers its tail, but its very tip is raised up. A wolf with its tail between its legs is either afraid of something or communicating its submission.

Wolf the family man

Only specialists know this interesting fact about wolves. These dangerous predators experience strong emotional attachment. They are monogamous - they choose their mate once and for life.

It must be said that a wolf is an ideal family man. He doesn’t create scandals, doesn’t cheat on his she-wolf, doesn’t break up with her, doesn’t have a young “mistress” on the side, and brings all the spoils to the family.

Wild wolves love their cubs very much. The wolf cubs are cared for not only by their parents, but by the entire pack.

The attitude of the ancients towards the wolf

This beast is sometimes called mythical. In ancient times, he was revered and respected for his courage, endurance, and ingenuity. Many warlike tribes perceived him as their ancestor. During the heyday of patriarchy, he was compared to a groom, a bride kidnapper.

For our ancestors, the wolf was like a mediator between gods and people. It was considered a talisman against evil. When the wolf became the faithful companion of St. George the Victorious, he began to be perceived as a solar deity.

Apollo, the ancient Greek god of light, was sometimes called Apollo the Wolf. The ferocious predator was the sacred animal of the god Upuaut in Ancient Egypt.

In the myths of the Scandinavian peoples, wolves are called “the dogs of Odin.” Romulus and Remus, who founded Great Rome, were suckled by a she-wolf sent by Mars.

Wolves are probably one of the strongest and hardiest animals in Russia and neighboring countries. His greatness and pride, his gaze and the well-known wolf howl arouse great interest in the way of life of the wolf. But the life of a wolf is not so simple, and it is this that makes him be like that. The widespread destruction of wolves has now become the norm. Humans are reducing the population of this species due to its destruction of farm animals and the spread of dangerous diseases, including for humans (rabies, etc.). And they do not allow the wild inhabitants of the forest to live in peace; their prey becomes hares, moose, roe deer, wild boars and even foxes. Because of this, wolves are considered pest animals, and a bonus is awarded for each individual killed by a hunter. In some regions of Russia, the reward for a killed wolf reached 8 thousand rubles. (winter 2011).

Now let's move on to the topic and look at life of a wolf from birth until death. I’ll say right away that in nature the life expectancy of a wolf can reach 10-11 years; the cause of death is most often illness and hunger. In zoos, circuses and generally in captivity, the wolf lives up to 21 years.

Wolves are strong animals both physically and psychologically. Their body length can reach one and a half meters, and their weight is 40-50 kg. Naturally, these are very average indicators, since physical data depends on where they live. The largest wolves live in the north of the country, the smallest in the southern regions.

Tales about the gray wolf have cemented in the minds of many people that the only color of a wolf's coat is gray. However, in the far north there live wolves with almost snow-white fur, and southern wolves predominantly ocher color. There are also black, light red and in North America even red wolves. But this is exotic for us.

The wolf has one remarkable feature that distinguishes it from other species of the canine family - these are “whiskers”, long thick hair from the ears to the mouth. The wolf has very thick fur, even in the most severe frosts it can sleep in the snow and will not freeze.

This is a very cunning and intelligent animal. If a wolf has already been hunted, but managed to escape, then this animal will be difficult to catch; it literally develops a sixth sense for the approach of danger. Wolves have excellent eyesight and hearing is also well developed. For example, they can hear a quiet rustle at a distance of more than a kilometer.

Hunting is one of the main activities in the life of a wolf. This animal is quite unpretentious; in conditions of hunger, it also eats carrion. Basically, its prey is animals, the number of which is highest in its territory. A lone wolf hunts “stealth”, that is, it sneaks up on the victim from behind, and can also wait for the animal at feeding places or watering holes for several hours. A wolf at the peak of his strength can kill any animal; only a wild boar aged six or more years can give him a worthy rebuff, and an elk. Therefore, they hunt large animals in packs.

Life in a pack of wolves is quite clearly organized, this also applies to hunting. The pack hunts in different ways. They can simply scare the herd away, and when it starts to run away, they choose the weakest animal. Wolves are also so smart that they can organize ambushes. Some wolves scare away the prey, while others hide in cover, and the animal, hiding from its pursuers, is ambushed. Animals can hide the remaining food in a shelter or bury it in the ground and come for it in a few weeks.

At the head of a pack, which is a family, there is usually a wolf, less often a she-wolf. There is always a clear hierarchy in the pack. The most delicious pieces of prey always go to the leader; after the alpha male is satisfied, other members of the pack can approach the food.

Only the wolves that have joined (as a rule, these are young wolf cubs from the previous litter) occupy a lower position. But their natural desire is to rise higher, so old wolves must constantly defend their position. The size of the flock depends on whether they can kill a large ungulate. If the pack has grown very large, then some of the wolves separate and they organize their own own life in a pack with the same hierarchy. Each pack of wolves has its own territory, and one pack does not interfere in the lives of the other, because the relationship between them is not very friendly. Although these animals always have their own territory, they still migrate if they lack food. Most often they migrate after their prey.

Around the beginning of spring, the life of wolves begins marriage time. Only the alpha female is primarily involved in procreation. Together with the leader, she separates from the pack, and they organize their lair in the deep forest. At the beginning of summer, from 2 to 8 cubs are born. For the first 3 months of life, wolf cubs feed on mother's milk, and then begin to feed them meat. Both parents feed the wolf cubs. They try very hard to hide their lair from prying eyes, so much so that they go hunting several kilometers from the den - this creates the impression that wolves do not live here at all. But if any danger arises, they transfer the cubs to a spare hole. Six months after birth, wolf cubs enter into independent life. They can already hunt small animals and help their parents on the hunt.

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.Defining weather, wolves can hear sound signals, which 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 European countries A special powder was created 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.Leaders wolf pack must constantly confirm their status.

76.Wolves are much more 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’s 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. Female 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 the den.

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. It will not work to keep a wolf in a nursery, because he is for a short time can learn to open a lock.

I like it I don't like it

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 languages different nations peace, 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. Today, most of the species lives in the territory the following states: 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 coming warm months 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, distinguished small in 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 following will describe the most interesting views.

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 polar night, covering vast distances to search for prey. snowy plain. 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.

Maned wolf has a red color. Distinctive feature 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 is beautiful appearance. Its fur is similar in color to fox fur. Weight is slightly over 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! Distinctive feature mountain wolf is a 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. There are individuals in flocks 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. Behind last years the total number has decreased greatly. 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 must be created special conditions. The point is that the animal is natural environment walks 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 daily fresh meat. 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 educate from wild beast pet 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 everything free time he will spend 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.
• It was customary among the Aztecs 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.
• On 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.

Origin of the species and description

The common wolf or gray wolf (from the Latin Canis lupus) belongs to the canine family. Together with, and a couple of other species, they make up the genus of wolves. During the study of their DNA, it was revealed that the animal is the direct ancestor of the domestic dog, while the second is considered a subspecies of the wolf.

The most likely ancestor of the animal is considered to be Canis lepophagus, a canid with a narrow skull that existed during the Miocene period. After the extinction of borophages, during evolution C. lepophagus grew in size and the skull expanded. Fossils found in . probably belong to the ancestor of all modern .

Video: Gray wolf

The first gray wolves began to appear during the Pleistocene era, about two million years ago. Among them was the species Canis priscolatrans, which later evolved into C. mosbachensis, which is very similar in appearance to today's common wolves. About 500 thousand years ago it evolved into Canis lupus.

During the Holocene period, the species settled in North America, where the dire wolf already lived. Due to the lack of large prey, the dire wolf became extinct about 8 thousand years ago. The appearance of the gray wolf caused competition for small and agile prey, which accelerated the extinction process.

The species has 37 subspecies according to Mammal Species of the World and 38 according to the Joint Taxonomic information service, 13 of which are already extinct. Many populations were formerly considered separate subspecies but were later combined due to insufficient genetic differences.

Appearance and features

Slender predator, with a powerful physique, long paws, high withers. The neck is short and thick, the back is sloping, the head is relatively large with a wide forehead, and the muzzle is short. The coat is hard, with a dark stripe running along the ridge, more pronounced in males. The color is gray, with brown and reddish hues. The color is lighter on the paws and belly.

Body Features:

• body length - 100-160 cm;
• tail length - 30-50 cm;
• height at withers - 75-90 cm;
• weight - 35-70 kg;
• weight at 1 year - 20-30 kg.

Females are about 20% smaller and lighter. Dimensions make the animal one of largest mammals in the family. Mature age individuals reach 2.5-3 years. By this time they weigh about 50 kilograms. The inhabitants of Alaska are slightly larger, their weight is more than 70 kilograms.

The animal runs with its head down. One ear is pointed forward, the other back. When walking, the tail hangs down; when running, it is raised to the level of the back. The footprints are shaped like a dog's, but larger, and the claw marks are more visible. The length of the trace is 10-12 centimeters. Unlike a dog's, a wolf's toes are kept in a “ball.”

Interesting fact: When walking, especially jogging, the animal steps one after another. The hind paws fall exactly into the mark left by the front paws. The tracks are located in a straight line.

The skull is massive, the nostrils are wide. The mouth has 42 sharp teeth that can withstand a load of about 10 megapascals. The loss of teeth is disastrous for a predator and leads to starvation. Based on the expressive face of the animal, scientists distinguish more than 10 types of mood - anger, anger, fun, threat, affection, alertness, fear, calm.

Where does the gray wolf live?

In terms of habitat area, the habitat of animals in the past ranked second after humans. This was most of the Northern Hemisphere. Nowadays, the habitats of wolves have greatly decreased. Today the beast is distributed in many European regions, North America, and the peninsula.

The northern border of the range is the coast of the Arctic Ocean. South - 16 degrees north latitude. Animals live in various landscapes, but they distinguish,. Densely forested areas are avoided. The largest subspecies are found in the tundra, while small ones inhabit the southern regions.

In mountainous areas it occupies places from the foothills to the alpine. They prefer open areas. They can settle near human habitation. In the taiga it has spread along the deforestation zone of the taiga zone. Animals mark the boundaries of their territories with urine and feces.

The territory occupied by one flock is 30-60 kilometers. At the end of spring and beginning of summer, when the flock disintegrates, the occupied zone also becomes fragmented. The best area goes to the main couple. In the steppes and tundra you can often find individuals wandering behind herds of domestic animals or deer.

When breeding offspring, natural shelters are usually used - thickets of bushes, crevices in rocks, burrows of other animals. Sometimes predators dig them themselves. After the cubs grow up, the family stops using the den; they settle in other reliable places for the night.

Now you know where does the gray wolf live. Let's see what this predator eats.

What does the gray wolf eat?

Wolves are inveterate predators. Food is obtained by active hunting, chasing victims.

IN different regions The diet of wolves consists of various animals:

• tundra -;
• forest belt - , ;
• steppes and deserts - .

Often an animal can be caught hunting livestock - cows, sheep, and sometimes. In the absence of large prey, they catch. In the summer, they will not fail to destroy a bird’s nest and feast on eggs or small chicks. Sometimes they can pull a domestic goose out of the flock.

Sometimes corsacs become prey for animals. Particularly hungry individuals can disturb a bear in its den. They will not disdain to eat the corpses of livestock, sick animals, weakened due to fights, shot by hunters. During the hungry season, they tend to return to the remains of their prey.

Interesting fact: There is a known case when a pack of wolves killed a young one.

On sea coasts they feed on the carcasses of dead animals thrown ashore. A hungry animal will attack without hesitation a large animal. Southern residents include berries, fruits, and sometimes mushrooms in their diet. In the steppes, they raid melons and watermelons to quench their thirst in hot weather. Moreover, they don’t eat the first watermelon they come across, but gnaw them until they find a ripe one.

Features of character and lifestyle

They lead a night life. They make a loud howl to announce their presence. With its help, individuals communicate with each other over long distances; the howl allows them to recognize each other, lay claim to their possessions, and court a future partner.

When hunting, wolves behave quietly, without making unnecessary sounds. Of all the senses in mammals, hearing is the most developed, followed by smell, and vision in third place. Reflexes and mental functions are well developed and are perfectly combined with agility, strength, speed and other data that increase the chances of survival.

Wolves can not only howl, but also growl, yelp, squeal, and bark. In a flock, the signal to attack is issued by the leader. The others join him. This sound is like a growl angry dog ready to attack. Mostly the howling is heard in the evening or at night, but not every day. Collective howling refers to a sign of existence in society.

Interesting fact: Nature writer F. Mowat met an Eskimo named Utek on the Canadian tundra, who understood voice messages, sent by wolves to each other.

The sense of smell allows creatures to hear prey at a distance of up to 3 kilometers. Their nose is 14 times larger than a human's, but their sense of smell is 100 times better. Humans can distinguish 5 million shades of smell, while wolves can distinguish 200 million. Most of the information for the animal comes through smells.

Predators never hunt near their lair. They go in search of prey 8-10 kilometers from home. Animals are capable of reaching speeds of 50-60 km/h. During the night they can travel 70-80 kilometers. To accelerate, they will need 4 meters to rush at full speed.

Social structure and reproduction

Gray wolves are different. They have a family lifestyle. A flock can contain from 3 to 40 individuals. It consists of an alpha male, an alpha female, their children and relatives. The couple will exist until one of the partners dies. Cubs of the same litter do not mate; instinct forces them to look for a mate in another pack.

The breeding season is from January to April. Because the alpha pair's partners aggressively defend each other from other individuals, tensions run high in the pack. Males revolve around lone wolves. There are often fights over females, often with fatal results.

As soon as a couple is formed, the partners immediately look for a suitable place for future offspring. At this time, the male and female flirt with each other, rubbing their sides. As soon as a female wolf comes into heat, pheromones are released in her urine, signaling the male to mate.

Pregnancy lasts about 2 months. At one time, from 3 to 13 blind babies are born. After two weeks they begin to see. First, the wolf cubs feed on their mother's milk, then their parents regurgitate meat for them. Next they bring the dead victims. The whole flock participates in this process.

By the end of summer, wolf cubs begin to participate in hunting. Although parents zealously protect their children, up to 80% of their offspring die in the first year. Females become sexually mature at 2 years, males at 3. Old age begins at 10-12 years. Average duration life - 15 years.

Natural enemies of the gray wolf

Forest orderlies have very few natural enemies. Skirmishes can occur between wolves and lynxes and bears. Sometimes during a hunt, predators can be fatally injured by moose or horses. One of the main enemies is hunger. Both adults and puppies die from it.

But the main threat comes from humans. Previously people They were afraid of predators because they were defenseless against them. But now, in the age of development of civilization, wolves remain illegal. They attack humans very rarely, with the exception of cases of rabies, but they are direct food competitors for humans and sometimes attack livestock.