Wolves are adapted to the most inhospitable of climates and
a wide range of prey animals. They are capable of flourishing from the
sub-arctic wastes to semi-desert. Wolves of the high arctic endure
several winter months of perpetual darkness; even when the sun returns
in February the temperature may drop to -40° C.
Wolves are like humans in many ways. They develop societies where there
are high and low ranks and they have a strong allegiance to their pack
leader. They have a strong parental sense, exceptional hunting skills,
and are very intelligent.
The campaign to completely exterminate the gray wolf from North America began when
settlers killed and drove out the ungulates that the wolves fed on for
raising cattle or sheep. The wolf began to hunt the settlers' livestock
because they were deprived of their natural prey.
Wolves prefer wild games, and will seldom attack cattle and sheep unless
there is no game available.
If a wolf is forced to, it can go for days, weeks, or even a month without
eating anything.
The territory of a wolf pack can stretch over several hundred square miles.
It is severely defended from trespassing of other wolf packs.
Fights can break out among pack members, but they end very quickly with
one wolf submitting.
Though pictures of a dominant wolf disciplining a subordinate looks
aggressive and fierce it is not so. Actions such as seizing the muzzle or head
of a subordinate is not to draw blood or even cause pain.
Jogn Theberge, a Canadian wolf expert, wrote, "Wolves fear humans for good
reason. Humans fear wolves out of misunderstanding."
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Wolf Facts