What is the name of the gray wolf? Common wolf. Current habitat of the wolf

Which is usually considered to be a subspecies of the wolf ( C.l.familiaris). The wolf is the largest animal in its family: its body length (without tail) can reach 160 cm, tail up to 52 cm, height at the withers up to 90 cm; body weight up to 86 kg.

Dimensions and total weight wolves are subject to strong geographic variability; it was noticed that they change proportionally depending on the surrounding climate and in full accordance with Bergmann's rule (the colder the climate, the larger the animal). In general, the height of animals at the withers ranges from 60-95 cm, length 105-160 cm, and weight 32-62 kg, which makes the common wolf one of the largest mammals in the family. Newly grown (one-year-old) wolves weigh between 20-30 kg, mature wolves (2-3 years old) - 35-45 kg. A wolf matures at the age of 2.5-3 years, reaching a weight of 50 kilograms or more. In Siberia and Alaska, large seasoned wolves can weigh more than 77 kg.

The large animal was recorded in 1939 in Alaska: its weight was about 80 kg. An 86-kilogram wolf was killed in Ukraine in the Poltava region. It is believed that in Siberia the weight of individual specimens can exceed 92 kg. The smallest subspecies should be considered the Arabian wolf ( C.l. arabs), females of which can weigh only 10 kg in adulthood. Within the same population, males are always larger than females by about 20%, and with a more forehead.

In general appearance, the wolf resembles a large, pointy-eared dog. Legs are high and strong; the paw is larger and more elongated than a dog's, the length of the footprint is about 9 - 12 cm, the width is 7 cm, the middle two toes are more forward, the toes are not spread out and the print is more prominent than that of a dog. The track of a wolf's tracks is smoother and forms an almost even line, while for dogs it is a winding line. The head is broad-browed, the muzzle is relatively wide, strongly elongated and framed on the sides by “whiskers”. The massive muzzle of the wolf distinguishes it well from the jackal and coyote, in which it is narrower and sharper. In addition, it is very expressive: scientists distinguish more than 10 facial expressions: anger, anger, humility, affection, fun, alertness, threat, calmness, fear.

The skull is large, massive, high. The nasal opening is wide, especially noticeably widening downwards. Maximum length of the skull: males 268-285, females 251-268, condylobasal length of the skull, males 250-262, females 230-247, zygomatic width of males 147-160, females 136-159, interorbital width of males 84 - 90, females 78 - 85 , the length of the upper row of teeth in males is 108-116, in females 100-112 mm.

The basis of wolves' diet is ungulates: in the tundra - reindeer; in the forest zone - elk, deer, roe deer, wild boars; in the steppes and deserts - antelopes. Wolves also attack domestic animals (sheep, cows, horses), including dogs. They also catch, especially solitary wolves, smaller prey: hares, gophers, and mouse-like rodents. In summer, wolves do not miss the opportunity to eat a clutch of eggs, chicks sitting on the nests or feeding on the ground of grouse, waterfowl and other birds. Domestic geese are also often caught. Foxes, raccoon dogs, and corsac dogs sometimes become prey for wolves; Occasionally, hungry wolves attack bears sleeping in a den. There are many known cases when they tore and ate weakened animals, wounded by hunters or seriously injured in a fight during the rutting season. Unlike many other predators, wolves often return to the uneaten remains of their prey, especially during the hungry season. They do not disdain the corpses of livestock, but sea ​​coasts- carcasses of seals and other sea animals washed ashore. During periods of starvation, wolves eat reptiles, frogs and even large insects (beetles, locusts). Wolves, especially in the southern regions, also eat plant foods - various berries, wild and garden fruits, even mushrooms. In the steppes, they often raid melon fields, watermelons and melons, satisfying not so much hunger as thirst, since they need regular, plentiful watering.

By crossing certain breeds of dogs and wolves, new breeds were created, such as:

Since ancient times people have revered and feared Wolf, they called him the elder brother, they scared children with him, they made up legends and retellings about him. The genus of wolves itself is quite extensive, including coyotes and jackals, but it is wolves became the direct and closest ancestors of the domestic dog.

Wolf is a fairly large predator from the mammal family, which used to be found almost everywhere in Russia and the CIS. But due to a number of problems caused by technological progress, the habitat of these animals has narrowed significantly in recent decades.

The name itself " wolf"comes from the ancient Slavic language, has ancient Indo-European roots and literally means " drag" or "drag."

It turns out that the Wolf family is quite extensive - there are about 32 different subspecies of wolves, but only six main ones are found on the territory of Russia - tundra, Central Russian forest, Mongolian, Caucasian, Siberian and steppe.

What do wolves eat

Basic Wolf's diet are ungulates depending on their habitat. These could be reindeer, horses, roe deer, pigs, moose, goats, both wild and domesticated.

In desert regions, Wolves hunt antelope and sheep. Due to the expansion of human activity and the introduction of humans into the natural habitat of wolves, predator attacks on livestock farms occur.

But wolf population constantly decreasing due to lack of food and constant hunting for them. During difficult periods, Wolves can feed on frogs, lizards and even large insects. They sometimes eat berries, mushrooms and fruits, and to quench their thirst they can plunder a watermelon or melon planting.

Where does the Wolf live?

Wolves prefer wooded areas and choose flat or mountainous areas with sparse vegetation and a temperate climate for housing.

Pack of Wolves usually occupies an area of ​​30 to 60 km and prefers a sedentary way of existence. But in the spring-summer period, this area is divided into fragments in accordance with the hierarchy of the pack: the best goes to the strongest Wolves.

Wolves can also be found in the north in the taiga and tundra near human settlements.

Wolves are smart and they understand that where there is a person, you can always profit from something. And although they do harm agriculture, but, on the other hand, they also regulate the balance of the ecosystem, controlling the number of animals and acting as forest orderlies.

Are Wolves Dangerous to Humans?

Scientists have come to the conclusion that the Wolf will not attack a person just like that, since he has an instinct of self-preservation. But sometimes there are sad cases of attacks by animals suffering from rabies. Or if there is a severe shortage of food.

Wolves breeding

Mating season for wolves lasts from January to April. Wolves are monogamous and lead a family lifestyle; a couple stays together until one of the partners dies.

Before the onset of estrus, the she-wolf does not accept the sexual advances of the male. Brutal fights for the attention of females, often with fatal consequences, are absolutely normal among Wolves.

She-wolves reach sexual maturity in the second year of life, and Wolves - at 3 years.

Wolves have only 1 estrus per year, so that the cubs are born in the warm spring, when there is enough food around.

Wolf couple First, he takes care of a safe shelter for future offspring. These can be either various secluded places, or other people's burrows of badgers or arctic foxes; they rarely dig their own burrows.

Only the She-Wolf uses the lair; she is also involved in raising small wolf cubs, which at first resemble the puppies of an ordinary dog. Usually, the She-Wolf gives birth to from 3 to 13 wolf cubs, and the whole pack helps to feed them.

But despite close care from parents and other Wolves, in the first year of life only 20-40% of wolf cubs survive. This is due to disease, lack of food and competition within the family, when stronger puppies receive more food, and weaker ones gradually die.

Wolves have a rather interesting voice, which has much greater capabilities than other animals. Wolves don't just howl They are also believed to be able to grumble, whine, squeal, yelp, bark and growl. Moreover, they are fully aware of these sounds and understand the information voiced by their fellow tribesmen. This helps to find out where prey is hiding, where to go hunting, and even report the appearance of people. And the collective wolf howl is distinctive feature active social life.

By the way, The wolves can hear fellow tribesman and transmit messages from a distance of about 8 kilometers.

The Wolf has a very highly developed sense of smell, he distinguishes odors 100 times better than a person, so scent plays one of the main roles in the wolf family.

Wolves are strong and hardy animals that can cover a distance of up to 80 km, and if necessary develop speed 60 km/h, which is one of the important conditions for survival.

In nature Wolves survive up to 15 years, but already at 10-12 years old they show signs of old age.

The wolf also symbolizes devotion and loyalty in the family; it is associated with many heroes folk tales and epics of the ancient cultures of the peoples of the North, where he personifies strength and courage. But sometimes he is perceived as an evil and negative character who is greedy and greedy, and sometimes serves dark forces.

Wolf and the dog are the closest relatives. In addition, these mammals belong to the same family, called canines or canines. Strictly speaking, wolves are one of the genera of this family, of which coyotes and jackals are also considered members.

The same name as this genus is given to a species that is usually called: wolf. But one of the subspecies of this species is just. In addition, as is known, domestic dogs descended from wolves, therefore, the latter are their direct ancestors.

DNA studies have made it possible to identify several genealogical lines in wolves. More precisely, these predatory mammals have four of them. According to these data, the most ancient are African wolves, which appeared on Earth several hundred thousand years ago.

And later, on the territory of modern Hindustan, three other lines of wolves began to form one after another: the Himalayan, Indian and Tibetan. From these four groups of ancestors all types of modern wolves originated, which have now spread across the territory of many continents.

The range of these fauna representatives has always been extensive. True, over the past centuries it has nevertheless decreased significantly due to the uncontrolled and excessive extermination of these animals. For example, wolves have become completely extinct in Japan.

These were mainly representatives of the Honshu and Hokkaido subspecies. The Newfoundland variety living in Canada, as well as some others, disappeared without a trace. However, wolves are now common in many countries of the Eurasian continent. In Russia they are found almost everywhere.

The only exceptions are Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, as well as some taiga regions of our country. In the North, the range of these predators is also very extensive and extends from Alaska to Mexico.

The appearance of wolves is characterized by the following features. This is primarily a streamlined chest and a sloping back, a long tail. Their paws with blunt claws are distinguished by their strength, and the front legs are longer than the hind legs. The fur of these animals is endowed with the remarkable ability to retain heat. Therefore, even in areas with a harsh climate, wolves are able to take root well and feel great.

When moving through snowy areas, their paws are kept warm by a special structure of the circulatory system. There are membranes between the toes of wolves; they increase the surface area of ​​support for the legs, and, therefore, reduce the load on the soil when moving along it.

Therefore, even if the ground is covered with a significant layer of snow, the wolf is able to move quickly and easily across it. Balance when running is ensured by the habit of this animal not relying on the entire foot, but only on the toes. And bristly wolf hair, as well as rough claws, help to linger on a slippery and steep surface covered with a crust of ice.

And one more feature helps wolves survive in harsh natural conditions. On the feet, between their toes, there are glands that secrete an odorous substance. Therefore, the traces of the leader are able to provide information to the entire flock about where he went, thus they help to navigate, finding the right direction on the ground. You can see what this animal looks like photo of a wolf.

Types of wolves

In the canine family, the wolf is considered the largest member. But the exact sizes of such creatures depend on the variety and geography of their habitat, while their indicators (body length and weight) vary quite significantly. The most impressive representatives can reach a weight of about 100 kg and a height of two meters.

In total, there are about 17 species of these predatory mammals, according to the latest data.

Let's introduce some of them.

• Common wolf (gray). The body weight of these representatives of the genus of wolves reaches 80 kg, and the length is more than one and a half meters, while they have a half-meter tail. Purely in appearance, such animals resemble large dogs with pointed ears.

Their legs are strong and high. The muzzle is massive, framed by sideburns. Its features are expressive and reflect the mood of the animal: from serene calm, fun and affection to fear, burning malice and anger. The fur of such an animal is two-layered, long, thick.

The vocal range is varied. It can be howling, growling, barking, squealing in the most numerous variations. These animals are widespread in Eurasia (from Spain to Hindustan) and in the northern part of the New World.

• The Arctic wolf is considered only a subspecies of the just described gray wolf. This is a rare variety. Such animals live in the regions of cold and eternal snow in Alaska and Greenland. They are also found in northern Canada.

Among the representatives of the genus, these specimens are very large; the males are especially large. Looking at such an animal from a distance, one might think that it is White Wolf, but upon closer examination it becomes clear that the light fur of this animal has a slightly noticeable reddish tint. But at the same time it is very thick, and fluffy on the legs and tail.

• The timber wolf is not inferior in size to the Arctic wolf, and in some cases even exceeds it. Only the height at the shoulders of these animals is about a meter. From the name it is clear that this is forest animals.

Wolves This variety is also called Central Russian, which indicates the places of their settlement, which also extend to Western, sometimes to the forest-tundra and even to the north.

The color of these animals, as well as their size, largely depend on their habitat. Northern residents are usually larger and have a lighter coat color. In areas to the south, wolves with a gray-brown tint of fur are found mainly.

• The Mackensen wolf is whitish in color and is considered the most common wolf among wolves on the North American continent. Behind Lately Active measures were taken to breed them.

To do this, such animals were transported to Yellowstone Park, an international reserve, where they took root and reproduced in the best possible way, which significantly contributed to the increase in their numbers. Such animals are closely related to timber wolves.

• Maned wolf. In general, it is believed that wolves do not inhabit the territory of South America. But this species (an inhabitant of some areas of the indicated continent) has a peculiar appearance and only vaguely resembles many of its relatives.

Such animals have red fur, and got their name because of the mane, very similar to a horse's, it grows on the shoulders and neck. These wolves have a lean figure, and their weight usually does not exceed 24 kg.

Since this animal has to move a lot through areas covered with tall grasses, looking for prey there, it has long legs. This species is considered endangered.

• Red Wolf also does not look very similar in appearance to its relatives and only resembles them in behavior. Its body structure is most identical to the jackal. But its fur is just like a fox’s in color and beauty.

These are small but very smart predators. They have a fluffy and long tail, large rounded ears and a short muzzle. These animals mainly live in Asia.

Lifestyle and habitat

The most different types landscapes can become a place for wolves to settle. However, they live much more often in forests. They are able to inhabit mountainous areas, but only in those areas where movement through various areas is not too difficult.

During periods of cold weather, wolves prefer to live in packs, and they usually do not leave pre-selected territories. And to mark their possessions, they leave odorous marks, which inform other animals that the area (their area usually reaches 44 km 2) is already occupied. They often choose shelters not far from human settlements, having adapted to carry people’s livestock.

In this way they chase herds of deer, sheep and other domestic animals. However, with the onset of the warm season, these communities of predators are divided into pairs, each of which chooses to exist separately from the pack. And only the strongest wolves remain in the inhabited territory, while the rest are forced to go look for other shelters.

Since ancient times, such animals have instilled a fair amount of fear in the human race. But what animal is a wolf, and is it really so dangerous for bipeds? Conducted research suggests that these predators almost never initiate attacks.

Therefore, if there is no direct threat from people, then their lives are not in danger. Exceptions do happen, but they are rare. And according to experts, in these cases attacks are committed only by mentally ill, hyper-aggressive individuals.

The character qualities of wolves, their energy, power, expression, as well as the ability of these predators to fight and win battles, have often evoked a feeling of admiration in humans since time immemorial. Some of the people even felt a spiritual kinship and natural connection with this animal, and therefore chose wolf totem animal.

The ancients believed that if you tune into a certain psychological wave through magical rituals, you can draw energy from such a being and receive strength from it. These are very highly developed creatures.

There really is a lot to learn from them. When hunting and fighting, they use very interesting tactics, which many peoples of the past adopted to fight military battles.

During periods when wolves unite in packs, its members live exclusively for the common good, sacrificing their interests in everything for the society of their own kind. And be different wild wolves would not be able to survive in the harsh conditions of the harsh natural environment. In these communities, there is a strict hierarchy, where everyone unquestioningly obeys the leader, and each member of the pack has their own responsibilities.

This society is governed without violence or restrictions on freedom. However, this structure is a well-oiled machine. And the social status of members is determined by the gender, age and individual abilities of each individual.

Nutrition

When attacking livestock, wolves use the following tactics, which are very common for these representatives of the fauna. First, sitting in ambush, they wait for victims to appear. Then some of the predators remain in shelter, for example, in the bushes, while other members of the group of four-legged hunters chase the prey in a given direction, thereby dooming it to certain death.

Wolves often starve other ungulates to death. Part of the pack chases the prey, and when the pursuers get tired, they are replaced by other, full of strength wolves. In this way the fate of the persecuted is decided.

That's how world of wolves, he is merciless and cruel. Often these creatures are able to satisfy the hunger even of their own kind, sick and wounded individuals. However, these animals cannot but impress with their intelligence and courage.

Such predators in a pack hunt large game: deer, wild boar, roe deer, antelope. But individuals of this tribe can catch gophers, rodents, and waterfowl. Hungry wolves do not disdain the corpses of a wide variety of animals.

From the plant menu they eat fruits, melons, mushrooms, and pick berries, but for them this is not food, but drink, that is, the juice of these crops helps them quench their thirst.

These dangerous creatures go hunting at night. And they communicate with each other by giving a variety of sound signals. And absolutely each of them, be it grumbling, growling, squealing or barking, is endowed with a number of variations.

Reproduction and lifespan

Strict monogamy reigns among wolves. And even after the death of a partner, the other remains enviably faithful to him. And gentlemen usually win the attention of free females in cruel and bloody skirmishes with rivals.

When a union of two opposite-sex individuals is finally formed, the members of the pair actively begin to search for a family den, because they need to prepare everything in time and properly for the appearance of offspring.

Mating games that fall during the female wolf's estrus period usually occur in winter or spring. This regime, inherent in the wolf’s nature, turns out to be very convenient in the temperate climate zone, because the couple’s offspring appear at a time when the cold weather is receding, and the new winter is far away, which means that the wolf cubs have time to grow up, become stronger and learn a lot by the harsh times.

The gestation period for a female wolf lasts about two months, after which puppies are born. How they are born and how they grow is not difficult to imagine for those who have dogs at home, because it is already known that these animals are directly related. Wolf cubs are blind for the first days, and their eyes appear only after two weeks.

At this stage of their lives, the wolf cubs are completely helpless, only poking and squeaking in search of their mother’s nipple, being able only to move by crawling. And then they feed on burps offered to them by their parents, but are already raised on a meat diet.

One-month-old puppies are already much more independent, they move well and play with their brothers and sisters. Soon the new generation becomes stronger, and the wolf cubs attempt to hunt for food.

Unfortunately, the mortality rate among the wolf tribe is very high. Already in the first year of life, half of the litter dies for various reasons. But those who safely pass this period soon give birth to their offspring. A similar physiological opportunity in wolves occurs at two years of age. And males mature a year later.

Wolf – animal, comparable to a dog, including in terms of lifespan. They begin to feel old after 10 years. Such members of the wolf pack have the right to food, care and protection. Wolves die at about 16 years of age, although purely theoretically they are capable of living for more than twenty years.

Through DNA research, it was discovered that there are about four genealogical lines of the wolf. African, which arose in the late Pleistocene, is considered the most ancient. All other lines belong to the Indian subcontinent. During major geological and climatic changes, the Himalayan wolf lineage emerged. Indian separated from it approximately 400,000 years ago. The Tibetan wolf, an inhabitant of Kashmir, is the most recent lineage. Its other name is the Holarctic clade.

The large Siberian wolf lived in Japan and the Korean Peninsula in the Pleistocene. The Sangar Strait separated Hokkaido and Honshu in the Holocene, causing climate change. They led to the extinction of large ungulates in this area. Lack of sufficient food led to insular dwarfism in the Japanese wolf.

Hokkaido, thanks to a constant supply of food and genetic interchange with large Siberian wolves, was significantly larger than the Hondo Japanese wolf.

Due to the disappearance of large prey, the dire wolf became extinct about 8,000 years ago. This process was accelerated by competition for the remaining food with the emerging common wolf.

In what regions does the wolf live?

Currently, the habitat of wolves has been significantly reduced. This is due to their uncontrolled extermination in the past. Most of the predators are located in the territory:

• Russia;
• Belarus;
• Ukraine;
• northern part of the Arabian Peninsula;
• Afghanistan;
• Georgia;
• China;
• Korea;
• Iran;
• Hindustan;
• Iraq;
• Azerbaijan;
• Scandinavia;
• Baltics;
• Balkans;
• Italy;
• Poland;
• Spain;
• Portugal.

From Mexico to Alaska, the animals are common in North America. In Russia they live everywhere, except for the taiga, Kuril Islands and Sakhalin. In Japan, predators have become completely extinct.

Wolves are able to live in a variety of terrain, but they give preference to places with weak forest cover. They often live close to humans. In the taiga, they accompany him and settle in the territory cleared of forest by people.

In the mountains, predators live as far as alpine meadows, where areas have little ruggedness.

The wolf is a territorial animal. During the cold season, flocks live sedentary. The boundaries of the territory in which they live are marked with odorous marks. In winter, the area occupied by predators is up to 44 km. However, as spring approaches, the flock breaks up into pairs. The strongest representatives remain on their territory, and single individuals lead a nomadic life. Wolves often accompany herds of livestock and deer.

To breed offspring, animals make dens. Most often they are natural shelters - thickets of bushes, depressions in the rocks. In some cases, wolves occupy the burrows of other animals - badgers, arctic foxes, marmots. It is extremely rare to dig them yourself. The she-wolf is most closely attached to the den during the period of raising the litter. The male does not use it. Puppies grow in well-hidden places: on hills, in ravines, near the shores of lakes covered with thick reeds, and in dense bushes. Wolves never hunt near their lair. After the puppies are strong enough for long journeys, the animals leave their shelter. For rest, they look for new, but well-protected places every time. The cubs look like dog puppies and have brown fur.

How long does a wolf live?

Since wolves belong to the canine family, they live approximately the same amount of time as dogs. But the way of life of wolves wildlife very harsh and wolves die from disease, injury or lack of food, before their time. In the wild, on average, wolves live 10-15 years. But when good care And proper nutrition they can live up to 20 years.

What does a wolf eat?

The wolf is a predator that stalks prey. The main types of animals that it feeds on are:

• antelope;
• roe deer;
• moose;
• wild boars;
• deer.

Lone wolves catch mouse-like rodents, gophers and hares. In summer, waterfowl, representatives of grouse, and domestic geese become prey. In rare cases, a wolf attacks sleeping bears, raccoon dogs, and foxes. Predators often attack wounded or weakened animals.

Wolves often return to the remains of animals they have caught. Also, in times of famine, predators do not disdain carrion: carcasses washed up on the coastline, seals, and livestock corpses.

In addition to meat, animals eat melons, watermelons, mushrooms, fruits, and berries. More often this is caused not by hunger, but by thirst. Wolves need frequent, abundant water, which is sometimes difficult to find.

Cannibalism is a phenomenon that occurs in a flock. Sick and wounded animals are often eaten by stronger relatives.

Wolves are most active at night. Their communication occurs through vocal signals. The range of sound waves that a wolf is capable of producing is many times greater than the capabilities of most animals. The only exceptions are bats and people. Animals are capable of barking, squealing, yelping, growling, grumbling, whimpering, howling. Absolutely every sound made by an animal has a wide range of variations.

Experts note that wolves react consciously to sounds made by their relatives. Thanks to sounds, the flock transmits various messages to its members and indicates the location of the game. At first, wolves listen to the information received from their relatives, and then throw their heads back and howl with a vibrating voice. At first their voice is low, and then moves to high notes that are heard by humans.

Only the leader of the pack can give the signal to attack. The sound is reminiscent of the growl of an angry dog.

You can hear the howling of wolves at dusk or dawn, but not every day. First, the leader howls loudly, and then the rest of the pack. The howling most often ends with a joint shrill bark. Wolf songs are a sign social life wolves. They have an emotional basis and enhance the cohesion of animals. In addition, the howl allows you to find lost members of the pack and communicate with representatives of other groups.

Wolves have a very developed sense of smell. The sense of smell allows predators to detect prey at a great distance. Wolves can distinguish approximately 199 million shades of scent. Animals receive most of their information through their sense of smell. Marking, sniffing partners, transmitting and receiving information through smell play an important role in the life of predators. Wolves obtain the necessary information from feces, urine and saliva. Feces indicate that the animal belongs to a certain species and its gender. The number of marks increases significantly during the rut and the formation of new pairs. In this case, the males leave their mark on top of the female’s mark. Such behavior strengthens couples and enhances sexual activity.

Experts have concluded that in 89% of cases, wolves detect their prey by smell, and not by hearing.

In the process of evolution, wolves have developed a number of physiological characteristics that allow them to travel long distances in search of food. Animals easily run a distance of several kilometers at a speed of about 9 km/h. During a chase, it increases to 66. At the same time, dogs are able to jump up to 4 meters without stopping running.

Physiological characteristics:

• sloping back;
• streamlined chest area;
• strong legs;
• membranes between the fingers reduce the load on the surface. Thanks to this, the wolf can quickly move across the snowy ground.
• When moving, predators rely solely on their toes, and not on the entire foot. This method of movement makes it possible to balance the mass.
• Hind legs shorter than the front ones. They lack the fifth additional toe on the metatarsal side.
• Blunt claws and bristly fur prevent falling from slippery surfaces.
• Special blood vessels warms paws from the cold.
• There are scent glands between the toes. When moving, the predator leaves scent trails. They make it possible to navigate the terrain and inform members of the pack about the movement of the leader.
• The low thermal conductivity of fur allows the animal to live even in harsh climates.

When a pack attacks a victim, wolves simultaneously kill several animals. At the same time, they rip out their throats or rip open their bellies. First of all, predators eat the most valuable things in the carcass, and leave the rest as a reserve.

The wolf is a highly developed creature. He uses special tactics when hunting. Hunting for livestock, they wait for him in ambush. Some of the predators wait in the bushes, and the rest of the flock drives the prey there. When chasing large ungulates, for example, elk, they starve it to death. Several wolves run after the prey, the rest of the pack minces behind. When the predators participating in the chase get tired, they are replaced by their full-strength relatives.

Relations in the pack are altruistic in nature. Each animal completely subordinates its interests to general needs. Otherwise, the predator community would not have survived. Not only physical characteristics, but also psychological characteristics influence the rank of an animal. This is explained by the fact that the leader must take charge of organizing the hunt and divide the food obtained among his relatives. Older wolves are responsible for the younger ones. Juveniles unquestioningly obey the demands of their older relatives.

There are seven ranks in the pack. Management of community members occurs without forceful influence. A clear organization, distribution of roles, complete freedom of choice to be or not to be in the pack - all this makes the wolf family a highly organized, well-coordinated mechanism. Social status in wolves it is associated with the age and sex of the animals. However, these indicators serve only to achieve the set goals. Having caught prey, wolves will never hunt again as long as they have food.

Unit in the pack:

• The leader plays the leading role. He bears full responsibility for the rest of his relatives. Its main tasks are a clear distribution of roles in the family, organization of actions, protection, selection of habitat, and management of hunting. The leader has the right to start eating first, but this rule can be violated by him. In some cases, an adult animal shares prey with puppies. This situation often occurs when there is a lack of food. Puppies are the future of the pack and the leader must take care of them.

The flock never disputes the right to the first piece of food. A weakened leader will not be able to provide security to his relatives.

The leader has no right to protection. In times of danger, only he decides how to act; the pack always listens to him.

• Warriors are the backbone of the pack. They provide food and safety for their relatives. When there is an external threat, only warriors enter into battle. This rank can be occupied by wolves of both sexes. However, a female with puppies never participates in guarding and obtaining food.

A senior warrior can replace the leader if he dies or for some reason cannot lead the pack. He, along with the main wolf, organizes protection and hunting.

• An adult female with experience raising wolf cubs is a mother. Its main functions are to take care of the pack's puppies. A female who has whelped does not automatically occupy this rank. When a flock is attacked, it is the mother who takes all weak relatives to safety while the warriors repel the attack.

The eldest female never competes with the main warrior, but if necessary, she takes the place of the leader. When the head of the pack dies, the most worthy animal begins to play his role. At the same time, there are no fights to identify the best contender for the status of leader.

During feeding and raising puppies, all mothers of the pack are under special care.

Reproduction occupies a special place in the life of animals. Once a year, the flock splits into pairs to reproduce. All members of the flock can reproduce. The main condition for this is awareness of one’s role in the pack. Those wolves who did not get a mate help their relatives raise their young and hunt. Pairs are always created for life. If one of the pair dies, the surviving wolf never looks for a partner again.

• A guardian is an animal that controls the wolf cubs. There are two subranks. Pestun is a young wolf who is not currently capable of becoming a warrior due to his age or is a young wolf from a previous litter. These animals completely obey their mother and follow her orders. This is how they learn to handle wolf cubs. Being a caregiver is the first stage of education that allows you to acquire the skills you need for life.
• Uncle is a male dog with no family. Helps raise young fish.
• The signalman is the eyes of the pack. It is he who alerts her to the impending threat. The received information is analyzed by more experienced wolves. Only after this is a decision made on further actions.
• The puppy bears no responsibility. His main task is complete obedience. Adult animals show him special care and guardianship.
• A disabled person is an elderly person who has the right to protection and food. Wolves always take care of their old relatives.

Wolves breeding

Once formed, a couple is never separated. If one of the partners dies, the second one never looks for a new one. Wolves always live in large families, numbering up to 42 individuals.

There is a clear hierarchy in the pack. At the head of the community are alpha animals, followed by adult representatives of the family, lone wolves. The lowest rank is puppies. The pack often takes in other wolves. When puppies reach the age of three, they leave their family and look for a mate outside of it. Animals from the same litter never mate.

The mating season is the most stressful time. It falls most often in the winter and spring months. The dominant pair protects itself from attacks by other animals. Free females are surrounded by males. The fight for their attention begins. Often fights end in death.

Once a pair is formed, it begins searching for a den. All necessary preparations are made before the onset of estrus. This time helps the couple get closer.

A she-wolf bears her offspring for about 64 days. Typically 3-12 puppies are born. They are born blind. Only after two weeks do their eyes open. After some time, the parents, along with the rest of the pack, feed the puppies with their burps of recently swallowed meat. When the young grow up, they eat prey that has already been caught. At the end of summer, the puppies are already starting to try their hand at hunting. At this time, the flock is joined by pereyarki - last year's litter, driven away for the breeding season. In this form, the family lives until the she-wolf's next estrus. Then the reeds can already participate in reproduction. In the first year of life, more than half of the litter dies.

Females reach sexual maturity at two years, males at three. The average life expectancy of predators is 16 years. The first signs of aging appear as early as 11 years of age.

Wolves have offspring only in the warm season. This allows you to get enough food for the puppies. This is how wolves differ from dogs, which come into heat twice a year.

People considered wolves to be dangerous animals. Therefore, they were mercilessly exterminated. However, predators play an important role in the ecosystem. They destroy sick and weakened animals, thereby preventing an epidemic.

How much does a wolf weigh?

Wolves are the largest representatives of the canine family. Their size and weight vary greatly in the species composition of these predators. In length, depending on the species, a wolf can be less than a meter, or can reach two. And the weight ranges from 20 kg to 100.

Types of wolves

Experts number seven individual species predators. In addition, the gray wolf has about seventeen varieties.

Arctic

It is the rarest subspecies of the common gray wolf. Habitat: Greenland, northern Canada and Alaska. The predator has preserved its natural habitat thanks to the rare appearance of humans in the harsh terrain covered with eternal snow.

The polar wolf is a large animal with a powerful build. Males reach a size at the withers of up to 99 cm. Weight can reach 98 kg. Predators exhibit sexual dimorphism. Females are approximately 16 percent smaller than males.

Predators have thick light fur with a slight red tint. The tail is fluffy, the legs are long, and the ears are erect and short.

Animals are perfectly adapted to the long absence of sun during the polar night. In search of prey, they travel considerable distances across snowy plains. An adult wolf is capable of eating eleven kilograms of meat in one go. There is no trace left of what is caught during the hunt. Even bones are eaten. Predators never chew meat, but swallow it in pieces.

Like other wolves, the polar one can only survive in a pack. Most often the group consists of 12 individuals. It is led by a male and a female. The rest of the community are puppies from previous litters and those recently born. In some cases, a pack accepts a lone wolf, but at the same time he obeys the leaders.

Only the alpha female in the group whelps. When cubs are born from other she-wolves, they are immediately killed. This severity is explained by extremely difficult living conditions, in which it is difficult to feed a large number of wolf cubs.

The survival of animals depends entirely on the size of hunting grounds. That's why wolves protect their borders. With the onset of winter cold, a group of predators migrates to the south, where it is easier to get food. Most often they follow reindeer.

The polar wolf eats absolutely everything it can find. In summer, its diet includes beetles, frogs, birds, lichens, fruits and berries. In winter, predators eat mainly the meat of hares, lemmings, musk oxen, and deer.

The polar wolf pursues its prey using ambushes and changing riders. Best time hunting - spring. In warm weather, the crust melts, making it difficult for deer to move in such conditions and the predator easily catches up with them.

Healthy and strong herbivores are never in danger. The flock only attacks fawns or sick animals. Having attacked the herd, the predators destroy it. In this way they isolate the chosen victim and kill. When the herd manages to regroup and surround its offspring with a dense ring, the wolves have to retreat. Wolves manage to achieve a positive result in only 11% of their attacks.

Female raptors reach sexual maturity at three years of age. In males, this period begins at two. Some time before giving birth, the she-wolf begins to prepare a den. Predators cannot dig a hole in the ice, so caves or holes in the rocks serve as places for puppies to appear.

Pregnancy lasts 74 days. There are no more than three wolf cubs in a litter. The appearance of more puppies is extremely rare. The puppies that are born are blind and helpless. Their weight does not exceed four hundred grams. For a month they do not leave the den. Only when they are fully strengthened do they begin to leave it. All this time the female feeds them with milk.

Caring for the offspring lies not only with the she-wolf, but with the entire pack. When the mother leaves the den to hunt, the young look after the puppies. Even with meager food supplies, adult wolves always feed the babies. In this way, it is possible to maintain the population size. Thanks to the harsh climate, wolves are not threatened by humans. There are no hunters in the Arctic.

Upon reaching sexual maturity, young animals leave the pack and try to create their own. They look for unoccupied territory and mark its borders.

The polar wolf is listed in the Red Book. Hunting for it is prohibited.

Ruffed

It gets its name from the long fur that covers its neck and shoulders. The hair in this area resembles the mane of horses. Aguarachai is found in Northern Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil. However, its main habitat is South America.

The guara has red fur, large ears, and an elongated muzzle. Externally, the wolf looks light and lean. The weight of the animal does not exceed 24 kg.

The aguarachai has the longest legs among other wolf species. This structure of the limbs allows the predator to search for prey in tall grass. The wolf hunts alone. It feeds on reptiles, birds, pacu, agouti, plants, and fruits. Often attacks sheep and poultry when gathered in groups.

Guars live in pairs. They very rarely have contact with their relatives. There are up to three wolf cubs in a litter. They have black fur. The female gives birth to puppies in winter.

The species is listed in the Red Book. Today there is no threat of extinction. However, the animal is still very rare.

Japanese

The international classification identifies two subspecies of these animals:

• Hokkaido or Ezo. These predators lived on the island of Hokkaido. Outwardly they resembled an ordinary wolf.
• Khonshu or Hondossky.

The Meiji government offered a reward to anyone who brought the head of a predator. This marked the beginning of the complete destruction of the subspecies. In 1889, the Japanese wolf completely disappeared.

Lyry

Scientific research showed that in South America wolves do not live. Since 2009, an attempt has been made to spread the legend about the supposedly existing subspecies of predators. It is currently impossible to confirm or refute the information received. Therefore, the Lyre Wolf remains more of a fiction.

Newfoundland

The species officially became extinct in 1911. There lived a predator on the eastern shores of Canada. The color was light with a dark stripe along the spine. He ate rodents and caribou.

Because of its thick fur, it was constantly hunted. In addition, beginning in 1900, there were food shortages, which led to a sharp decline in caribou numbers. All these factors led to the complete disappearance of the Newfoundland wolf.

Ethiopian

The phenotype of this predator is similar to that of a fox. The species is on the verge of extinction. Because of its amazingly beautiful fur, the animal is constantly hunted.

Makenzensky

The most common species of wolf in North America. Animals can reach a weight of up to 79 kg. Height at the withers - 89 cm. It feeds on deer, elk, musk oxen and elk, and bison.

The Alaskan wolf has been relocated to Yellowstone Park. There he adapted perfectly. Its number increased by 1290 individuals. Some predators eventually left the protected areas and settled in the border zone. They are hunted in these places.

An amazing animal is found in the mountains of Asia. Tell exactly who it is just by one appearance extremely difficult. His body is built like a jackal, his behavior is wolfish, and his beautiful fur resembles a fox.

The red or mountain wolf is an intelligent and beautiful predator. The weight of the animal reaches 22 kg, the length of the body does not exceed a meter. The color is bright, the tail is long and hangs almost to the ground, the fur is fluffy and thick. The muzzle is shortened, the ears are large, rounded, and set high.

Depending on their habitat, the red or mountain wolf has different coat colors. However, in most cases it is reddish. During the cold season, the fur becomes thick, dense and soft. By summer, the coat coarsens and becomes darker. Wolf cubs are brown in color at birth.

There are 10 subspecies of predators. They differ from each other in body size, color and thickness of fur.

The red or mountain wolf lives in various areas. However, its numbers are insignificant. Experts cannot say for sure whether he currently lives in Russia. The red or mountain wolf is mainly found in Asia.

The predator lives in gorges and rocks, where there is constant snow. On plains and forests it appears only in search of food or when moving from one territory to another. It is extremely rare for an animal to attack livestock.

Predators hunt in a pack. Its size does not exceed 13 individuals. At the same time, there is no clear leader in it. They most often get their food during daylight hours. The red or mountain wolf feeds on deer, antelope, lizards and rodents. A large flock can kill a bull and a leopard. When there is a shortage of food, the red or mountain wolf does not disdain carrion.

Despite the fact that the predator’s diet mainly includes meat, it does not neglect plant foods. Mountain rhubarb is always present in a den with newborn pups. Experts believe that it is fed to young animals by regurgitating plant inflorescences treated with gastric juice.

A red or mountain wolf attacks its prey from behind. It never grabs the throat of prey, unlike other canids.

The animal has a secretive character. It always hides from people. The den is made in well-protected places. They never dig holes. They swim and jump well. They have sensitive hearing.

Due to its secretive lifestyle, the biology of the predator has not been fully studied. Experts can only say with confidence that the red or mountain wolf creates pairs with one female. The male is responsible for raising the puppies. In captivity, the predator mates in winter. Pregnancy lasts 59 days. There are no more than 9 puppies in a litter.

In warm climates, young animals are born throughout the year. When born, the puppy is similar in appearance to an ordinary wolf or German shepherd. Only after 13 days his eyes open. After half a year, the puppy begins to weigh like an adult. At two years of age, puberty occurs.

Ginger

Outwardly, the red wolf resembles a gray one. However, it is slightly smaller in size, its body is slimmer, its fur is shorter, its ears and legs are longer. The body reaches dimensions of 129 cm, height up to 79, weight no more than 39 kg. The color of the red wolf is not monochromatic. The muzzle and legs are reddish, the back is black.

Predators live in prairies, wetlands and mountainous areas. Packs consist of animals of different ages. Aggression in groups is completely absent.

The red wolf eats not only meat, but also plant foods. The prey of the predator most often are rabbits, raccoons, and rodents. Very rare deer. Animals often eat carrion and berries. The red wolf sometimes becomes prey to lynx and alligators.

The breeding season lasts from January to March. She-wolves bring up to 7 puppies. Cases have been described where a female gave birth to 11 wolf cubs. Animals make their lair under fallen trees or along the banks of reservoirs. At half a year, puppies become independent. A wolf lives in captivity for about 13 years, in natural conditions - 4 years.

The red wolf is the rarest representative of the canids. It is listed in the Red Book.

Marsupial

The last representatives of the subspecies lived until 1936 in Tasmania. The marsupial wolf had a body length of about a meter and a tail of 49 cm. Older males could reach two meters in length.

The predator’s skull resembled a dog’s, but its tail was thin at the end and thick at the base; bent hind limbs spoke of its marsupial nature. The fur was coarse, short, and very thick. The back had a brownish tint. It had darker colored stripes. The belly was light, the muzzle gray. The ears are erect, short, rounded.

The marsupial wolf had a kind of pouch on its stomach, formed by a fold of skin that opened backwards.

Initially, the animal lived on grassy plains and sparse forests. However, with the arrival of man, his habitat changed. He moved to the mountains, where he made his lair in caves and under fallen trees. The marsupial wolf was a nocturnal predator, but sometimes came out to bask in the sun. The predator hunted alone, rarely in pairs.

The marsupial wolf ate lizards, birds, and echidnas. After humans settled in Australia, the animal began to attack livestock. The marsupial wolf often ate animals caught in traps. The predator left the caught and half-eaten game and never returned to it. The marsupial wolf had a piercing, guttural, dull, coughing bark.

The thylacine is a marsupial. She-wolves had a pouch on their stomach formed by a fold of skin. The cubs were fed and born in it. After three months, the puppies began to leave the pouch, but returned to it until they were nine months old.

Marsupial wolf artificial conditions did not reproduce and lived up to 9 years.

Forest

Depending on the habitat, the phenotype of wolves changes. The colder the climate, the more massive and large the animals living in these conditions. The average proportions of a gray wolf are as follows:

• weight 33-63 kg;
• body length 104-161 cm;
• height at withers 67-87 cm.

These indicators make the common wolf the largest in the family.

One-year-old animals weigh 19-31 kg. In the third year of life 34-46 kg. The wolf reaches its peak development at three years of age. In Alaska, animals reach a weight of 76 kg; in temperate latitudes, the figure varies between 51-61 kg.

Externally, the wolf looks like a large, pointy-eared dog. His legs are high and powerful. The paw, unlike a dog's, is more elongated. The wolf's footprint is up to 13 cm long and 7 cm wide. The paw print is more prominent, unlike dogs. It is easily distinguished by its two middle fingers extended forward. The trail of footprints resembles a straight line.

Description of the wolf's appearance:

• broad-browed head;
• on the sides of the elongated wide muzzle there are “whiskers”;
• high, heavy, large skull;
• wide nasal openings widening towards the bottom;
• the thick, long tail is always lowered. By its movement and position one can judge the wolf’s mood and position in the pack.
• The structure of the jaw speaks about the animal's lifestyle. Carnivorous teeth, which include the lower first molars and upper fourth premolars, are involved in the division of captured game. The fangs help the wolf drag and hold its prey. If teeth are lost, the animal is doomed to death.
• The fur is long, thick, and consists of two layers. It makes the wolf look much larger than it actually is. The guard hair, which makes up the first layer of fur, protects the animal from dirt and water. The undercoat, the second layer, is waterproof down that helps retain heat. As summer approaches, molting occurs. During this period, the fluff flakes off in small lumps. To speed up the process, animals rub their skin against various objects: tree trunks, stones.
• A wolf puppy has a dark, uniform coat that becomes lighter after a while. Fur color can have mixed shades among representatives of the same population. The undercoat of wolves is always gray, only the color range of the guard hair is different.

Many people believe that coat color is used for camouflage. However, experts say that fur coloring increases the individual characteristics of each individual.

• The eyes of animals are blue until 17 weeks of age, then they acquire an orange tint. It is extremely rare that the eye color of adult wolves remains blue.

• Thanks to long-term scientific experiments, a hybrid of a wolf and a dog was bred. Breeds such as the Sarlosa and the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog are recognized throughout the world.
• During the Middle Ages, the predator was considered a servant dark forces. Many legends, traditions and fairy tales were composed using his image. The most popular is the werewolf or werewolf.
• Wolves almost never attack humans. If this happens, the animal most likely has rabies.
• Many coats of arms of the European nobility were decorated with the image of a wolf. High-ranking officials believed that their family appeared thanks to werewolves.
• In order for the battle to be successful, the Vikings put on the skins of predators before it began and also drank their blood.
• Wolf land. This is what Ireland was called in the 17th century because of the numerous wolf packs that lived on its lands.
• When favorable weather conditions The predator is able to hear a sound at a distance of 17 km on the plain.
• The wolf is extremely difficult to tame. The dream of having a predator in your home who will guard the territory cannot be realized. Wolves are afraid of people, so they will hide from strangers rather than defend their territory.
• "Lupus" literally means "red wolf." Doctors in the past believed that this autoimmune disease occurred after being bitten by a predator.
• The animal swims well. It can cover a distance of 14 km thanks to small membranes located between the fingers.
• Hitler really liked wolves. He gave many of his military headquarters code names related to the name of the predator.
• The dire wolf is a prehistoric animal whose main prey was mammoths.
• The raven is often called the "wolf bird". This name was given to him due to his habit of following a predator. The bird eats the remains of the caught prey, and also uses the canids as protection.
• The Aztecs pierced the chest of a dying person with a sharp wolf bone. It was believed that death could be prevented in this way.
• Predator liver powder was used in medieval Europe during childbirth.
• Eating wolf meat can turn you into a vampire. This is exactly what the Greeks thought.
• The Cherokees never hunted this predator. They believed that the weapon used to kill the animal would “go bad.” They were also afraid of revenge from the brothers of the dead wolf.
• The predator has well-developed facial expressions. He uses it to communicate with his relatives.
• “Great God” is a translation of the word wolf from Japanese.

In India, primitive traps in the form of a pit with sharpened sticks at the bottom are used to catch predators.

European wolves typically have shorter, thicker fur than their North American counterparts. Their size varies depending on the region where they live, adults reach 76 cm and weigh 70-73 kg and females are usually 20% smaller than males. The heaviest Eurasian wolf killed in Romania weighed 72 kg. Color range includes White color, cream, red, gray and black, sometimes with combinations of all colors. The colors of wolves in central Europe are richer than those in Northern Europe. Eastern European wolves tend to be shorter in size and heavier than wolves in northern Russia.

Habits

A pair of European wolves.

Wolves are very social animals and despite the decrease in the territory they occupy, they form packs, although smaller than in North America. Social behavior appears to vary from region to region, with wolves living in the Carpathian Mountains being an example, tending to hunt alone. Males and females mate between January and March. A litter usually contains six wolf cubs, born seven weeks later in a den dug among bushes or rocks. The male brings food into the den either simply by dragging it, or by swallowing it whole and then regurgitating it back to feed others. While the wolf cubs grow up, the mother and other members of the pack help them feed.

Nutrition

The diet of Eurasian wolves varies greatly depending on their habitat. They usually hunt medium-sized ungulates like mouflon, chamois, saiga, wild boar, red deer, European roe deer, and livestock. Wolves will also eat smaller prey, similar to frogs and hares. In Europe, their largest prey is the bison, and in Asia, the yak.

Due to the increasing shortage of natural prey, wolves are sometimes forced to abandon their usual pack hunting and rummage through food waste around villages and farms. Many rural settlements have open landfills where waste from local slaughterhouses is dumped. Wolves feed there along with wild or stray dogs.

Taxonomy

Comparative studies of the mitochondrial DNA of different wolf subspecies have led to the theory that the European wolf lineage originally appeared more than 150,000 years ago—about the same age as North American wolves, but significantly younger than the Asian subspecies.

North American domestic dogs are believed to have originally evolved from Eurasian wolves. The first people to colonize North America 12,000 to 14,000 years ago, they brought dogs with them from Asia and they probably went wild and mixed with the wolves found in the New World.

Story

Currently

Wolves constantly cross the border from Russia to Finland. Although they are protected by EU law, Finland has issued hunting passes based on past prevention efforts; This resulted in the publication of a regulation by the European Commission in 2005. In June 2007, the European Court of Justice ruled that Finland had violated the EU Directive. environment, but both sides failed in at least one of their demands. The number of wolves in Finland reaches approximately 250.

It is believed that the largest population of wolves, compared to other nations, is located in Kazakhstan. It is 90,000. For comparison, this is 3.5 times more than in Canada, where there are 60,000. After the breakup Soviet Union hunting wolves became less profitable. Approximately 2,000 are killed annually for a $40 premium, and the animals' numbers have skyrocketed. At the same time, poachers have reduced the prey numbers of Kazakh wolves, such as the saiga antelope, from 1.5 million to 150,000 by selling the horns to the Chinese, who use them in their traditional medicine. The large number of saigas contributed to the large number of wolves in Kazakhstan. Now, after the extermination of saigas, wolves invade human settlements in winter and attack livestock. In spring they return to the remote, slightly wooded hills of Amangeldy, where they breed and feed on small mammals.

The British government signed conventions in the 1980s and 1990s agreeing to consider releasing wolves and promoting public awareness of them. As a party to European agreements, the British government has an obligation to examine the desirability of returning extinct species and consider the reintroduction of wolves. Although there are signs that wolves are repopulating areas in Western Europe, they cannot return to their former habitats in Britain without the active help of people. The Scottish Highlands are one of the few large areas in Western Europe with a relatively tiny population, allowing quiet life wolves, which is usually prevented by human activity. A popular argument for releasing wolves back to their former habitats is that red deer populations in the Scottish Highlands are too large and reintroducing wolves would help control their numbers, thus giving local flora a respite. Other arguments include the income and job creation in the highlands from wolf ecotourism, which could replace the declining and uneconomical mountain sheep industry.

Crossbreeding with dogs

Wild crosses

It is of some concern that European wolf populations often interbreed with wild dogs. The scientists studied and analyzed reports of mitochondrial and biparental genetic markers in dogs and in wild populations of wolf-like canine species. Although crossbreeding between wolves and dogs has been observed in the wild, significant fusion of dog and wild wolf genes has not yet occurred. Scientific research has led to the assumption that interbreeding is not particularly important for the maintenance of even large populations of wolves living in close proximity to human settlements. The degree of physical and behavioral differences between dogs and wolves may be great enough to ensure that mating is unlikely and mixed offspring rarely survive to reproduce in the wild. Attempts to reintroduce wolves into Germany were thwarted when dog hybrids were discovered among their offspring.

Czechoslovakian wolfhound

In 1955, an experiment was conducted in Czechoslovakia, during which a German shepherd was mated with a Carpathian wolf. A decade later, the resulting offspring were selectively bred to improve the dog's qualities and combine them with the beneficial characteristics of the wolf. The result of this was the creation of the so-called Czechoslovakian wolfhound. The wolfhound is more loyal, but is more stubborn and much more sociable, expressing its emotions in ways other than barking. The wolf's heritage also gave it a longer lifespan compared to other dogs, allowing it to live for about 12-16 years. In 1982, the wolfhound was recognized as the official national breed of Czechoslovakia and in 1999 it became the state standard.

Folklore

Fenrir, a giant wolf bound by the gods.

Significant appeals to the image of the ancestral wolf are made in many works of literature.

In Jiang Rong's partially autobiographical novel Wolf Totem, the nomadic Mongols say that from watching wolves they learned battle tactics that helped them create a vast empire, as well as an understanding of the importance of balancing the ecosystem on the plains.

Notes

Links

• International Wolf Center
• Wolves in Romania and Kazakhstan
• News about wolves in German media (English)
• Return of the Wolf to Germany
• Wolves and hybrids in Sachsen
• A map with the distribution of the wolves in europe (PDF) (English)
• The Wolves and Humans Foundation
• Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe