Introduction Of Wolves

Wolves are 4 legged mammals that are related to dogs. They have thick fur that is black, white, brown, or red. Adults usually weigh around 55-130 pounds, height is 26-32 inches at the shoulder, and length is 4.5-6.5 feet from the nose to the tail-tip. 

They live in groups called packs in Asia, North America, and Europe. The packs live in forests or in the mountains.

Diet

Wolves are carnivores or meat eaters. They have sharp teeth to attack prey. When packs go on hunts they hunt for deer, moose, elk, bison, and caribou. But in desperate measures they will eat smaller animals such as beavers and rabbits. Adults can eat about 5-14 pounds of meat per day. Once the kill is made, the wolves then eat the dead animal with lots of pleasure. They might even lie around for one or more days digesting their meal.  

Life Cycle

Normally, only the male and the female leaders of the pack breed once a year in early spring between January and March. The females give birth 60 days later. They give a litter of about 5 pups between April and May. Wolf pups are born blind, deaf, and weigh about 1 pound. The first 3 weeks, pups are nursed 4-6 hours and still need help regulating or getting body temperatures right. The mother usually stays with the pups in the den eating food that other pack members have brought for her.

The pups survive on their mother's milk until 8 weeks of age. Then they start to eat food which the other members of the pack bring for them.

Now, they are old enough to move with the pack to a new place for the rest of the summer, where the pack teaches the way of a wolf.

When the pups are 6-8 months old, they begin to travel with their pack to join in on hunts. Within this time the pack hunts, sleeps, and plays together.

After reaching 2-3 years, the wolves must leave their pack to find territories and mates of their own. Wolves live to about 7 years in the wild and 12 years in captivity.

The pups survive on their mother's milk until 8 weeks of age. Then they start to eat food which the other members of the pack bring for them.

Now, they are old enough to move with the pack to a new place for the rest of the summer, where the pack teaches the way of a wolf.

When the pups are 6-8 months old, they begin to travel with their pack to join in on hunts. Within this time the pack hunts, sleeps, and plays together.

After reaching 2-3 years, the wolves must leave their pack to find territories and mates of their own. Wolves live to about 7 years in the wild and 12 years in captivity.The pups survive on their mother's milk until 8 weeks of age. Then they start to eat food which the other members of the pack bring for them.

Now, they are old enough to move with the pack to a new place for the rest of the summer, where the pack teaches the way of a wolf.

When the pups are 6-8 months old, they begin to travel with their pack to join in on hunts. Within this time the pack hunts, sleeps, and plays together.

After reaching 2-3 years, the wolves must leave their pack to find territories and mates of their own. Wolves live to about 7 years in the wild and 12 years in captivity.

Pack's Territory

Usually a pack's territory varies in size from 200-500 square miles. They can be as little as 18 square miles to over 1000 square miles. The size is based on the amount of prey. If there is more deer and elk in the territory, wolf packs will have to travel less to find food. Wolves spend about 35% of their time traveling. Wolves often travel 20-30 miles each day. They may even cover 100 miles when there is very little food. 

The Effects On The Ecosystem And Its Food Chain

Wolves are the top predator in their food chain/web. They keep a strong healthy balance in the ecosystem. Without the wolves, elk and other animals kept eating, destroying plants and trees. 

When the wolves were reintroduced in Yellow Stone National Park, the ecosystem started to be on track again. Trees began to regrow. Elk populations started to become smaller. Song birds and other animals started to have a place for nesting.

Beavers then came back, and improved the water quality with their dams. These changes show that wolves are very important in the natural ecosystem.