8/5/2023 0 Comments Canadian wolf size![]() ![]() Wolves are social animals: they not only hunt in packs or groups but live most of their lives with other wolves. The wolves’ habit of hunting in packs has resulted in the development of complex patterns of social behaviour. When this happens, the lone wolves may find mates, then search for unoccupied areas where they can establish new packs. Subordinate wolves in the hierarchy are often forced out of the packs. When neighbouring packs trespass into each other’s territories, fights often ensue that frequently result in the death of pack members. Sizes of territories vary greatly and are dependent on the kind and abundance of prey available. Each pack occupies an area that it will defend against intruders. Howling by a pack may also be a way of warning other packs to keep away from occupied territory and may serve to separate packs. This howling seemed to be a form of calling or coaxing. As they did so, the pups moved anxiously along the river bank. In one instance, a pack of arctic wolves separated from some pups by a fast-flowing river howled frequently for several hours. This howling may be a form of "song-fest," for the wolves apparently enjoy it. Wolves often howl spontaneously at a rendezvous site, or place where the pack meets. It is a form of communication among wolf packs. The howling of a wolf pack is one of the most awe-inspiring wilderness sounds. ![]() Another adaptation to environment is their habit of hunting in packs, or groups, which enables them to kill large animals, such as deer, elk, moose, caribou, bison, and muskox. Wolves in the Arctic have extremely dense underfur, which insulates them against rigorous winters. As a wolf moves stealthily, or rests, it blends into the background and is hardly seen. In the mottled grey, green, and brown world of the eastern forests the normal coat of the wolf is an effective camouflage. On the arctic islands, where much of the ground is snow-covered for at least nine months of the year, being white is a distinct advantage, so wolves in the Arctic may be nearly white. This colour variation is a good example of natural selection, a process that enables those animals best suited to a particular environment to survive. They are often a grizzled grey-brown, similar to some German shepherd dogs. Wolves in the heavily forested areas of eastern North America are more uniform in colour. A single pack may contain animals that are black, shades of grey-brown, and white. Wolves of northern North America and Eurasia vary in colour. Wolves of many large arctic islands and Greenland usually appear snow-white from a distance, but closer up often reveal grey, black, or reddish shades. It is virtually impossible to describe the typical appearance of the wolf Canis lupus. ![]()
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