The proverb “Man is a wolf to man” was born a long time ago - this is what they say about cruel relationships between people. In fact, this saying is not at all fair. Wolves in a pack behave very friendly. In it, everyone has their own place and strict order reigns in relationships.The unwritten law covers all aspects of the life of the pack.
Based on a system of dominance (superiority), it establishes priority in access to food, the right to have offspring or the obligation to obey, and grants the privilege to behave freely. Hostility, quarrels, attacks, and fights are rare in the pack. Everything is decided by the unambiguous actions of strong wolves, “explaining” who is in charge and who is subordinate. But more often than not, the entire flock follows the will of recognized leaders. Thus, thanks to the mutual understanding of the members of the pack, harmony is maintained in it. Friendships play a huge role in uniting the pack.
But, of course, wolves are not at all good-natured cuties. On the contrary, compared to, say, any dog, they are much more aggressive and assertive.
Their feelings are stronger and more definite: if wolf A loves wolf B, then he loves precisely B, and not all wolves in the world. That's why wolves love their own - members of their pack.
The nature of relationships in a pack is altruistic. That is, each animal subordinates its personal interests to the interests of the entire “collective”. With other relationships, the flock cannot exist as a single organism. The rank of an animal depends on the level of mental development, and not just on physical data.
After all, as you know, it is not so much the strongest that survives, but the smartest. And the leader has to organize the hunt (wolves have a group driven type of hunt, which requires good organization), and make decisions about the division of the prey.
Therefore, peace and quiet reign in the flock. The younger ones obey the elders and feel absolutely protected, while the elders bear the burden of responsibility for everyone.
Wolf Pack has seven ranks, it is a perfectly organized society where everyone understands their rights and responsibilities. Management occurs without force, everything is clearly organized, roles are distributed, no one is holding anyone back, but for some reason everyone chooses to live together. The allocation of social ranks in a pack is weakly related to gender and seniority in age. These factors, like physical strength, only ensure the performance of useful functions, nothing more.
Having killed a deer, the wolves stop hunting until all the meat is gone and hunger forces them to get down to business again.
Who are the seasoned, arrived, over-Yarks?
Seasoned (mainland)
- this, as scientists say, is the dominant, that is, the main, wolf - the leader! He has offspring and owns the plot. The seasoned one can be both male and female. They are the main couple in the wolf pack.
Puppies that have not yet reached the age of one year are called arrived.
They are the youngest in the family. There may be 7-9 of them,
but, as a rule, 3-5. The newborns are in the care of adult wolves, at first mainly the mother, the seasoned she-wolf.
Pereyarki are children of the previous year of birth , remaining on the parents' property. In the spring and early summer they live on the outskirts of the family plot and maintain relationships with their parents. In the second half of summer they approach the center of the site, and in the fall they unite with their parents and younger brothers and sisters. As a rule, there are fewer perennials in a family than arrived ones, since not all children stay with their parents for the second year. There are also families without overlights.
In some families there are more than two adult wolves. In relation to the mature pair, the rest occupy a subordinate position and most often do not have offspring. They are often classified as overbright, although this is not entirely true. In terms of age, these are adult animals, but in terms of their role in the family, they are close to pereyarks. Seasoned, arrived and pereyarki make up a typical wolf family, which can be both simpler and more complex.
Leader is the highest social rank. Assumes responsibility for the entire flock. The leader decides issues of habitat, hunting, protection, organizes everyone, establishes ranks in the pack.
The leader uses his priority right to food at his own discretion. For example, he gives his share to puppies if there is not enough food. His job is to take care of everyone, and the puppies are the future of the pack. However, if the starving leader is unable to lead the pack, everyone will be in danger, so he preemptive right for food is not disputed.
During the period of establishing a den and feeding puppies, the mature female becomes the main one, and all members of the pack obey her. American researcher David Meech suggested a “division of labor” and leadership between the sexes depending on the time of year and type of activity.
Wolves in a pack, including a couple of seasoned ones, are not always the same age. If the she-wolf is older and more experienced than her partner, then she can determine both the route and hunting tactics, guiding the choice of prey. If the spouse is older, then the solution to most vital issues depends on him, he even chooses the place for the future den.
Senior warrior - organizes hunting and protection, a contender for the role of leader in the event of his death or inability to lead the pack.
The mother is an adult she-wolf who has experience raising wolf cubs. She can perform the duties of a mother both in relation to her cubs and in relation to the children of less experienced mothers.
The birth of “children” does not automatically elevate the she-wolf to the rank of mother. As with any other rank, it requires a certain psychophysical development, the ability to make decisions necessary for life.
The mother's tasks include raising and raising offspring.
In the event of an attack on the flock, it is the mothers who take all the weak ones to safe place, while the warriors hold the line.
Senior mother - if necessary, can take the rank of leader. Never competes with an older warrior. The vacated rank is occupied by the most worthy, capable of leading the pack.
There are no fights to determine who is stronger.
During the period of feeding and raising children, all mothers of the pack are under special protection and care.
Reproduction is among wolves and this side of life is organized very beautifully. Once a year, the flock splits into families to give birth and raise offspring. Not everyone is allowed to reproduce. The main condition is to understand your place and role in a large pack family. Therefore, those who do not have a mate live third in a small wolf family, helping to hunt and raise wolf cubs.
Pairs of wolves are for life. If one of the partners dies, a new couple is not created...
Guardian - is responsible for raising the wolf cubs. There are two sub-ranks: pestun and uncle.
Pestun - young she-wolves or wolves that do not claim the rank of warrior, grown-up young animals of the previous litter. They are subordinate to their mothers and carry out their orders, gaining skills in raising and training growing wolf cubs. These are their first duties in the pack.
Uncle is an adult male who does not have his own family and helps raise wolf cubs.
Signalman - warning the flock about dangers. The decisions are made by the more responsible members of the pack.
Puppy is the sixth rank, no responsibility other than obedience to elders, but gives priority to food and protection.
A disabled person is not crippled, but simply an old individual, has the right to food and protection. Wolves take care of their elders.
Why does a wolf need a keen sense of smell?
Animals constantly communicate with each other, and sometimes the forms of this communication (communication) can be very complex. In mammals, three types of communication are most strongly developed: chemical, that is, with the help of smells, acoustic, that is, with the help of sounds, visual (visual), that is, with the help of postures, facial expressions and gestures.
Chemical communication is the most ancient form of animal communication; it already appeared in single-celled organisms. Most mammals have a sensitive sense of smell. And the canine family among them are recognized “sniffers”. So the wolf uses its nose very actively and constantly: both when hunting and collecting information about its brethren. It is difficult for us to imagine how much a dog or a wolf learns about this surrounding world with the help of its nose. They not only distinguish a huge number of odors, but also remember them for a very long time.
Once I saw how a tame wolf, after a long separation, remembered a man. By appearance the beast did not recognize him. The voice probably vaguely reminded him of something - the wolf became wary for a short time, but then began to walk around the cage again. The nose “said” everything at once. Barely a faint gust of air from open door brought a familiar smell, as the previously indifferent wolf was transformed: he rushed to the very bars, whined, jumped for joy... So the memory of the smell for the wolf is the most reliable and strong.
The wolf not only remembers, but also, as one old hunter says, thinks with his nose. Indeed, when hunting, he always takes the wind into account. The entire hunting tactics of the flock depends on the direction of the wind. The ambushers, that is, the wolves that come closest to the prey, always walk so that the wind blows toward them from the direction of the prey. This is an advantageous position - both because this way the prey does not smell the wolf, and because wolves learn a lot about the prey by its smell. Using it, you can choose the “best” victim and then, without getting confused, pursue it.
When do wolves growl or squeak?
Wolves can hear much more better than man, and what seems like an indistinct rustle to us is a clear sound signal for the wolf. Hearing helps to avoid danger, communicate and search for prey. Wolves make many different sounds - they growl, snort, squeak, whine, squeal, bark and howl in different ways.
The purpose of these signals is different. For example, by growling, a wolf communicates its intention to attack or, conversely, to actively defend itself. Snorting warns relatives of danger. Most often this is a signal from adults addressed to children. Hearing him, the wolf cubs hide or hide.
Wolf cubs whine almost immediately after birth, if they are not comfortable - hungry or cold - this is their first acoustic signal. Adults can also whine when they feel bad.
Mostly weak, low-ranking wolves squeal when they are threatened or when they are attacked by stronger relatives. The squeal “disarms”, softens the attacker, calms him down. And expressing friendliness, wolves squeak.
They emit all these signals while being quite close to each other - at a distance from several centimeters to tens of meters. However, wolves also have sound signals"long-distance communication" is barking and howling.
Why do wolves bark and howl?
Wolves bark at a large predator (tiger, bear) or at a person when danger threatens them. But only if the danger is not yet too serious. So barking is a warning signal. Wolves bark much less often than domestic dogs, but they howl often.
We can say that the howl is a kind of “sound face” of the entire genus Canis, and especially the wolf. You can usually find out that wolves live somewhere just by howling. It can be solitary - when the voice of one wolf is not answered by the others, and group - when several animals howl, it doesn’t matter whether they are close or far from each other. The pereyarks howl together, finding themselves far from their parents and newcomers, or all family members.
And, of course, wolves howl in different ways.
Seasoned - very low and long, a single note sounds for at least 20 seconds. This smooth, thick, powerful voice has a very strong effect on a person. The she-wolf howls shorter (10-12 seconds). Her voice is thinner than that of an adult male. Pereyarki howl, whine and bark. Their notes are the same in duration as those of a she-wolf, or even shorter. Young (new) wolf cubs bark, squeal and howl.
During autumn family "singing sessions" the wolf cubs stick together. Their choir is like a cacophony.
The family choir, in which everyone participates - both the seasoned and the old, and the newcomers - is one of the most impressive “concerts” in our forests. After all, wolves howl, as a rule, at dawn or at night. Their voices float into the darkening sky and awaken something in a person beyond the control of reason. Sometimes goosebumps run down your back, not from fear, but from some inexplicable sensation.
Wolves howl very loudly, so that a person can distinguish this sound from 2.5, or even 4 km. Wolves hear each other from an even greater distance - this also depends on the weather. As if familiar with the theory of information transmission, they almost never howl if hearing conditions are poor. They even wait out the sound of a flying plane, a running train or a strong wind.
Until now, the true meaning of howling in the life of a flock is not fully understood. It is clear that neighboring families notify each other of their presence and thus avoid unwanted encounters. It is also clear that sometimes the parents howl to inform the puppies that they are approaching a day with prey, and the kids about where they are. But the most important thing is that it is the howl that creates the overall harmonious mood in the flock. In this way, the role of howling is similar to the role of music for people. Maybe that's why it affects us so strongly. But the howl, revealing the presence of wolves who respond to the wabu (imitation of howl) of hunters, turned out to be their “Achilles heel” in the confrontation with humans.
What paths do wolves go?
Many people believe that wolves are vagabonds and wanderers. This is only partly true: they do not go anywhere at all, but obey a strictly defined order and in well-known places.
The wolf pack has its own, as scientists say, habitat. And the wolves know him like the back of their hand. They are excellent at navigating the terrain and remember all their previous routes, which is why they walk along constant and most convenient paths.
A.N. Kudaktin, who has been studying wolves in the Caucasus for many years, performed this experiment several times: he climbed up the slope to the same place in different ways, including the wolf path. And it always turned out that walking along it was easiest and fastest.
Walking through a flat snow-covered swamp, where, it would seem, there are no signs, the wolves seem to be following an old trail that has long been covered with snow. However, they know not only the area very well.
They are aware of everything that is happening around them: they know where the bear lives and where he lies in a den, where moose or wild boar graze. Wolves notice the slightest changes in familiar places. American zoologist R. Peters, who studies the tactics of movement of wolves around the site, believes that they have a mental map of their habitat.
What is a buffer zone?
In wolves, like many other animals, the outskirts of the habitats of neighboring packs sometimes overlap each other. Then buffer zones are formed in these places. Here you can meet wolves - neighbors, and since relations between packs are most often very hostile, these are the most dangerous places Location on.
Therefore, when entering buffer zones and intensely marking them, wolves still try not to stay for long and, if there is enough prey for both packs, they do not hunt there. We can say that the buffer zone is a kind of reserve for deer and other ungulates, created by the wolves themselves.
When there is little prey in the main territory, wolves of neighboring packs begin to hunt here too. Having met in these places, they, as a rule, fight fiercely, and some of the animals die.
The fewer wolves remain, the fewer ungulates they destroy, the number of deer is gradually restored, and the predator-prey system comes into balance again.
The wolf is an animal with highly developed intelligence and a powerful psyche. It is thanks to this that the beast survives so successfully despite all the variety of sophisticated ways to fight it. In all countries where the task was set to destroy wolves completely, the plans were failed, but wolves live well and multiply to this day. Their numbers are close to zero only in the most densely populated countries having a small territory. However, this is the choice of the wolves themselves, who prefer more comfortable conditions for themselves.
Instinct
or reason?
Long
time, wolf habits were determined solely from the point of view of natural instinct
and conditioned reflexes. The ability of the beast to analyze the environment was completely denied
situation, drawing useful conclusions that
is a sign of reasonable behavior. But further close observations of scientists
the wolves convinced them otherwise. Many examples have been recorded where it is impossible
it was possible to explain the behavior of wolves only from the point of view of the unconscious
instinct or conditioned reflexes. For example, it has been proven that wolves can accurately determine
safe distance (based on lighting) from the hunter. Wolf, knowing that
the shot will not reach him, sometimes he can stand calmly even seeing perfectly
man with a gun. Although this, of course, is only possible with the most seasoned,
old, “shot” wolves.
Nowadays
many scientists agreed that wolves have the ability not only to analyze
situation and draw certain conclusions from this, but even predict
events based on circumstances. Especially clearly mental activity
wolves manifest themselves in the midst of the collective hunt of these predators for different types animals. Wolves divide
territory into areas to search for prey, and then signal each other about the results
search. If the victim is discovered by one wolf, he calls the others, the pack
skillfully surrounds future prey and intelligently drives it towards those lurking in
ambush of brothers. Moreover, an ambush is usually organized not just anywhere, but in
the most convenient place for an attack - on ice, in loose snow, to make it more convenient
It was possible to take the beast without much resistance. Such an organization, such a fast
and the correct distribution of roles, such coherence of work could
the envy of many hunters.
Hunter for
note
Wolves
there are three main forms of reaction to the conditions with which they have to
encounter during the hunt for them. Knowing these features, the hunter will be able
predict the wolf's actions or at least explain them, making the task easier for yourself
by his prey. One form of reaction includes cases when a wolf
a sharp defensive reflex arises to an unfamiliar stimulus that is destructive
for him: a trap, a bait with poison, an armed hunter. This means that you
a wolf who was once caught in a trap, ate poisoned bait and survived,
wounded from a car or helicopter, a reaction to deadly attacks is immediately formed
items.
Wolves on
all their lives they remember the smell of a trap or poisoned bait, the sight of a hunter’s gun,
the noise of a car or helicopter, associating it in the mind with an acute painful stimulus. Such
the reaction is formed the first time, otherwise the wolf would have no chance of saving his life
was. That is why the individuals who escaped the trap, survived after poisoning or not
very accurate shot, become extremely cautious and practically inaccessible
for the hunter. It is very difficult to obtain such an animal, although it is very honorable. Such
experienced wolves easily bypass traps, never take bait and hide in
forest so masterfully that they can be detected neither from the ground nor from a helicopter
will be impossible.
Second
a form of exclusively wolfish reaction is a loss of caution towards the subject, if
there is no acute painful stimulus. This is especially clear if you observe
wolf during the hunt with flags. An animal seeing flags for the first time (a new unknown stimulus), at first
is afraid of them and can sit in prison for a week without making any attempts to overcome this
an easy obstacle. But over time, seeing that the flags don't hurt and
do not perform any actions at all, the wolf’s indicative reaction fades away.
Then the beast decides to overcome the obstacle. In the future, the same wolf, if
stays alive, freely leaves the salary right through the flags, so take
it can be much more difficult.
Third
form of wolf reaction - the emergence of a persistent visual connection to the stimulus,
through whose fault other members of their pack die. That is, even if the wolf became only
witness how his brother fell into a trap or how one of the flock was
wounded or poisoned by bait, the “witness” wolf will also be wary of these irritants.
This reaction was confirmed by experiments conducted on dogs. As a result, it is precisely established
the fact of the development of conditioned reflexes in one dog next to another - the victim.
In some
in a sense, the wolf’s brain is even more perfect than a dog’s, since wolves are capable of not only secreting
individual dangerous external stimuli, but also to compare them with each other, to synthesize
and direct your activities based on this. In this regard, it becomes
the high ecological adaptability of the wolf, its caution and
stability, despite so many means and techniques to combat it. These are unique
features developed in wolves due to centuries of persecution and
destruction by man. At all times, any error in reaction or perception
the wolf led the beast to inevitable death. Therefore, the key to successful
control over the number of wolves and its regulation - in the application of the most
active ways that exclude the possibility of repeated acquaintance with them, and in
their improvement.
Features of behavior
Volch'e
behavior is extremely complex. These gray predators are so secretive and
careful way of life, that even near populated areas his lair is sometimes
impossible to calculate. Wolves are highly observant, thanks to
for example, they find carrion by the cry of crows and magpies. This beast is for sure
determines the style of his behavior depending on the changing situation.
For example, during manhunt wolves can hide in the forest so much that the beater
will pass by without noticing them. Then hunters can wait for hours for a wolf
rooms, and he will watch them from the thicket.
Hunger -
the only thing that can completely deprive a wolf of caution, literally “reduce him to
mind." Wolves are especially dangerous in autumn and winter. It is at this time that the predator often wanders
close to the herds still grazing in the fields, attacking large and small livestock.
True, a lone wolf will not attack a herd of adult horses or a herd
pigs, for example. But a pack of wolves is already a real threat. At the beginning of winter, wolves
families are moving closer and closer to villages and cities. They start with the easiest prey -
yard dogs. The victims then become livestock and rarely people.
Hunter
It is important to understand that the wolf is a worthy opponent, not an easy trophy. To
To get it, you will have to make an effort and show ingenuity. But even
then there is a great deal of pure luck when the wolf just for some reason
will lose vigilance. Knowing the behavior patterns of wolves is as important as
ways to hunt them. But, having received the coveted trophy in the form of a seasoned predator,
the hunter will be able to consider himself a true professional, a master of his craft.
The wolf is a strong and intelligent predator. Weighing up to sixty-two kilograms, the body length is more than one and a half meters, and the height at the withers is almost a meter. Larger specimens are also found.
The wolf is distributed throughout almost all of Russia, although it is less common in the central and southern zones. The wolf feeds on ungulates, hares, rodents, and also birds, if they can be caught. Can attack humans and their pets. During the night, a wolf can easily cover sixty to eighty kilometers, trotting at an approximate speed of ten kilometers per hour, that is, three times faster than a walking person. And during a hunt, its speed can reach sixty-five kilometers per hour - the speed of a car in populated areas. When jumping, the animal covers up to five meters.
Wolves usually live in packs, from three to forty individuals. There is a hierarchy in the pack, at the top of which is a dominant pair of leaders, a male and a female, followed by adult family members, then come lone wolves who have joined the pack, and at the very bottom are puppies. Often at dawn or dusk you can hear the choral howl of wolves. It all starts with a strong howl from the leader, then the rest of the pack joins him in howling. It all usually ends with a shrill bark. Such a choral howl in the wolf community is something like collective meditation among people. He strengthens the wolf pack.
Also, howling and other sounds made by wolves help them communicate during the hunt. A wolf can provide information at a distance of up to eight kilometers about where the prey is located and where it is heading. A wolf pack has several tactics used for hunting. The flock can split into two groups. One will wait in ambush, and the second will drive the prey there. In addition, wolves can replace each other when pursuing a prey for a long time until it weakens. Wolves occupy an important place in the ecosystem, as their prey is often weak and sick animals. Despite the cohesion of the wolf pack, wolves are characterized by cannibalism. Pack members may tear apart and eat a weakened or wounded wolf.
With the coming mating season Several males gather around the young females and begin to fight fiercely. After a new pair is formed, they leave in search of a place to mate and breed. So they form a new flock. The male and female are faithful to each other until one of the partners dies. Only the dominant pair can breed offspring in a flock. During the mating season, they leave the pack, play and care for each other. The remaining females of the pack undergo a false pregnancy, as a result of which milk is produced, with which they help feed the puppies of the alpha female. If the alpha female dies, another female of the pack takes her place and continues to feed and care for the pups.
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. Distinctive feature 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:
- White- has a peaceful character and beauty. He prefers to hide from his enemies, including people. Lives in the tundra and Arctic.
- Black- very similar to a dog, with which people often confuse him. The predator's habitat is Alaska and North America.
- Red- resembles a short-tailed fox. In size it is inferior to its “gray” relatives. He loves rocky mountains and gorges, where he lives.
- Stepnoy- It has small sizes. Lives in the steppes. It is noteworthy that it uses fox holes for living. Hunts marmots, hares and partridges.
Ordinary or gray look not mentioned here, since the main story will be about him.
Habitats
Currently, this predator can be found in the territories of 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 lives everywhere north of Mexico. IN South America this predator does not live.
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 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 weaker than the sense of smell.
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 certain 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 wildlife 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 as pet they are still not suitable, 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.
One of the brightest wolfish habits
- this is life in a pack, as well as howling. These features set wolves apart from other mammals, and also make them biological species unique and inimitable.
Wolf pack is like family, which can consist of individuals of various ages that have a common living and hunting territory. The standard composition of a pack is parents, this year's broods and, of course, overage animals (animals that have not reached sexual maturity). Although very often the flock includes several adults, who, apparently, do not take part in reproduction.
The number of individuals in a flock can be very diverse. Usually a pack consists of five to eleven individuals, although you can find huge packs with the number of wolves - from 15 to 22.
In winter, wolves try to stay as compact as possible, and in summer they are more dispersed. In the spring, when the oldest male and female leave the pack to raise puppies, the pack splits up. But at the same time, the remaining individuals of the flock do not leave, they remain, but without accumulating in too large quantities. According to zoologists, the most important advantage of the pack lifestyle of wolves is that they mainly hunt large artiodactyls.
The family territory is very dependent on the landscape and therefore its size can vary widely. The largest family territories are located in open landscapes of the tundra, as well as steppes or semi-deserts, and they reach colossal sizes - 1000 - 1250 km2. If we consider the forest zone, then the territory there is much smaller, about 200 - 250 km2.
Wolves mark their territory urine, feces, or scratch trees, bark, stumps. When dry, wolf droppings turn white and are therefore clearly visible from afar. It seems as if wolves deliberately choose the most visible places to leave their droppings. Once in Altai, droppings were found on the seat of a mower, although it rose one and a half meters above the ground. This mower stood for days in the center of a rather large, spacious clearing, which was very noticeable from the road, where wolves often walked, gathering in places where deer roared.
The more wolves, the stronger the concentration of marks. Along the cordon of the family territory, the concentration reaches a maximum, due to the presence of wolf marks that inhabit neighboring territories. You can also find a huge number of marks in the center of the active life of the pack, as well as inside their family territories. There you can often find droppings, urinary points, and scrapes. It is the trails, dens and dens that are such centers of activity. Sometimes these centers are located at very large distances from the borders of the territory. Such distances can be several kilometers. The territory takes on a characteristic appearance due to similar centers of wolf activity. All these traces, waste products of wolves, scratches, marks are most likely accurate landmarks for members of the pack, which go kilometers from the home in search of food and return again to the center of the family territory.
Most zoologists believe that wolves are monogamous individuals, that is, one wolf forms one married couple throughout its life.
Although it is difficult to talk about this with complete confidence, since a flock often contains several sexually mature males and females. It is possible that in such a flock there is a preference for mating partners or forced monogamy, which is based on intrasexual aggression, which, in turn, prevents possible rivals from taking part in reproduction. The latter is more likely because hierarchical relationships predominate in the pack. In the wolf family there are two lines of dominance: males and females separately; some males dominate other males and some females dominate other females.