Urban Animals - Art Gallery of Alberta

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program
Animal Facts: Wolf continued
Wolves are territorial animals. The average
size of a wolf pack’s territory is close to 200
square kilometers. Wolf packs travel constantly
in search of prey. The core of their territory is,
on average, 35 square kilometers, in which they
spend 50% of their time. Wolves tend to avoid
hunting in the fringes of their territory, even
though prey density tends to be higher there,
due to the possibility of fatal encounters with
neighbouring packs.
Wolves feed primarily on medium to large
sized ungulates. However, like most predators,
they are opportunistic feeders and will
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf
generally eat any meat that is available. Wolf
packs above 2 individuals show little strategic
cooperation in hunting large prey. Wolves typically attempt to conceal themselves as they
approach their prey. If the prey animal stands its ground or confronts the pack the wolves will
approach and threaten it but eventually leave if their prey does not run. Usually it is the
dominant pair in a pack that works the hardest in killing the pack’s prey. During feeding this
status is reinforced. The breeding pair usually eats first. Wolves of intermediate rank will prevent
lower ranking pack members from feeding until the dominant pair finishes eating. Wolves
supplement their diet with vegetation and, after eating, will drink large quantities of water to
prevent uremic poisoning.
Wolves communicate with each other in a variety of ways. They can communicate visually
through a variety of expressions and moods ranging from subtle signals, such as a slight shift in
weight, to more obvious ones, such as rolling on their backs to indicate complete submission.
Howling is also extremely important. Howling helps pack members keep in touch, allowing them
to communicate effectively in thickly forested areas or over great distances. Howling also helps
to call pack members to a specific location and serves as a declaration of territory. Wolves will
also howl for communal reasons. Some scientists speculate that such group sessions
strengthen the wolves’ social bonds and camaraderie. Observations of wolf packs suggest that
howling occurs most often during the twilight hours, preceding the adults’ departure for or return
from a hunt. Wolves also howl more frequently during the breeding season and rearing process.
A wolf’s howl may be heard from up to 16 kilometers (10 miles) away depending on weather
conditions.
Humans have had a complex and varied viewpoint of wolves. In many parts of the world
and in many cultures wolves were respected and revered whereas in others they have been
feared and held in distaste. Humans dislike of wolves has resulted in a great reduction in the
wolfs’ former range and, from 1982 to 1994, the gray wolf was listed as vulnerable to extinction
by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Changes in legal protections, land-use
and population shifts to urban areas, and recolonization and reintroduction programs have
increased wolf populations in western Europe and the western United States. As a result, the
risk status of the wolf has been reduced to being of least concern.
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