The Wolf: The Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species Review

THE WOLF

The Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species

By

L. David Mech

THE WOLF is a book on the study and research of the wolf, their personality, physical characteristics, intelligence, and pack size. The book also describes their territory, courtship, mating and the birth, growth, and development of the pups.

THE WOLF is the results of information gathered by Dr. David Mech, A wildlife biologist for the United States department of Interior, and is a noted expert on wolves.

In Dr. David Mech study, he profiles the wolf as he observed them in the wild. Most of his studies were in the United Sates, Canada, Alaska, and Mexico although he has included reference from many other biologists around the world.

GENETICS

Canis lupus, the wolf also known as the gray wolf, the timber wolf, and the tundra wolf and is a member of the mammals known as the Carnivore, or meat eaters. The wolf family is the Canidae, or dog family.There are approximately thirty-two subspecies of wolf currently recognized throughout the world.

The wolf is the largest member of the dog family. It hunts, attacks, kills and eats animals larger than itself.

Adult males average 95 to 100 pounds. The adult female is on average 80 to 85 pounds. The largest wolf on record is 175 pound male from east-central Alaska.

The length of the male varies from five to 6.5 feet from nose to tail. The female's length is from 4.5 to 6 foot. The tail accounts for 13 to 20 inches of its length. The average wolf stands 26 to 32 inches. Some wolves have been measured to stand a full three feet in height.

The wolf feeds on flesh, bones and other animal matter, they usually feed on large mammals such as, moose, elk, deer, mountain sheep, and caribou; usually runs in a pack with as many as eight wolfs and as much as thirty-six have been observed. Each wolf knows his or her place in the pack with the Alfa Male being in charge.

Wolfs become sexually mature at twenty-two months. They bear an average of six pups per litter, once a year. Most packs have a pair of breeding adults, pups, and extra adults that can also breed.

The wolf pups are born blind and deaf; their fur is dark. Each weighs about one pound. By the time the pups are five to six months old they weigh around twenty-eight pounds and stand about 14 .5 inches tall. Length is about 14 inches long.

Due to massive aerial hunting, trapping and snaring over the years the Gray Wolf in the lower 48 States and Mexico was placed on the Endangered List in 1974.

Because of careful management and the change in hunting regulation, the Gray Wolf has been reintroduced into the Rocky Mountains where they have regenerated their specie.

On February 02, 2006, U.S. Fish and Game announced their intent to Remove the Rocky Mountain Population of the Gray Wolves from the Endangered Species List

The picture of the Gray Wolf. Credit: Gary Kramer/USFWS.