Migration patterns of the gray wolf
Encyclopedia
The gray wolf
is the largest member of the Canidae family. It shares a common ancestry with the domestic dog
. Although called the gray wolf
, it can also be found having more of a white, black, or red coloring to it. They stand roughly 2 to 2.8 ft (0.6096 to 0.85344 ) tall, and their frame runs from 4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 ) long. The male gray wolf usually weighs around 90 pounds, and the female of the species weighs about 80 pounds. They are found mostly in temperate forests, deserts
, mountains, tundra
, and grasslands.
does indeed stray farther than 70 miles, its purpose is usually to establish new territory, or join a new pack. They do, however, follow the migration patterns of their prey.
is not a migratory animal, it has been shown that when they travel (following food, due to population, etc.) they do follow the same routes. They generally only stray from their territory in search of food, or if the population becomes too large.
Gray Wolf
The gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
is the largest member of the Canidae family. It shares a common ancestry with the domestic dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
. Although called the gray wolf
Gray Wolf
The gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
, it can also be found having more of a white, black, or red coloring to it. They stand roughly 2 to 2.8 ft (0.6096 to 0.85344 ) tall, and their frame runs from 4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 ) long. The male gray wolf usually weighs around 90 pounds, and the female of the species weighs about 80 pounds. They are found mostly in temperate forests, deserts
Déserts
Déserts is a piece by Edgard Varèse for brass , percussion , piano, and tape. Percussion instruments are exploited for their resonant potential, rather than used solely as accompaniment...
, mountains, tundra
Tundra
In physical geography, tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands," "treeless mountain tract." There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, alpine...
, and grasslands.
Migration
Gray wolves, by nature, are not migratory animals. They naturally do not stray farther than 70 miles (112.7 km) from their natal territory (males stray no farther than 70 miles, females no farther than 48 miles (77.2 km) ). If a gray wolfGray Wolf
The gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
does indeed stray farther than 70 miles, its purpose is usually to establish new territory, or join a new pack. They do, however, follow the migration patterns of their prey.
Habitat
The gray wolf is one of the most widely distributed animals on earth. Its habitat today includes some of the northern, central states of the United States, Alaska, Canada, Asia, and parts of Europe and the Middle East. Gray wolves are very territorial animals, and primarily occupy woodland areas. The gray wolf usually does not venture outside its pack’s territory unless food sources are extremely scarce in order to avoid conflicts with other wolf packs. The territory of the gray wolf has been reduced significantly due to the destruction of its habitat, human impact, and diminished food source. However, it is still classified as being among animals of least concern for extinction when looking at gray wolf populations as a whole. Behaviorally, gray wolves do not commonly migrate in large numbers, except when their territory gets destroyed or their food source migrates, in which case they will follow it.Population
Another reason for the so called “migration” of the gray wolf is population control. If the wolf population in a particular area increases, due to reproduction, some young wolves may decide to branch out on their own . When they do leave their territory in search of new grounds, they generally follow previous routes of travel. For example, when traveling to find new territory, gray wolves may travel a path they took while following caribou on migration. Whether this is learned, or simply instinct, is unknown.Conclusion
Although the gray wolfGray Wolf
The gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
is not a migratory animal, it has been shown that when they travel (following food, due to population, etc.) they do follow the same routes. They generally only stray from their territory in search of food, or if the population becomes too large.