home » Manicure » Wolf or gray wolf. Wolf habitats What is the white wolf called?

Wolf or gray wolf. Wolf habitats What is the white wolf called?

Daytime sites, where the den is located during the breeding season, are usually especially well protected; they are characterized by the proximity of watering places. The hunting grounds of wolves are varied and limited only by the possibilities of obtaining food.

In the tundra, wolves spend their days mainly in river valleys and thickets in flat areas; in the forest-tundra such places are often forest groves, thickets of willow trees and dwarf birch. In the tundras of Yamal and Bolshezemelskaya, wolves make dens mainly in bushes in valleys and less often in dry meadows of slopes; they use terraces above the floodplain and dry willow thickets along watersheds. Out of 11 biotopes in river valleys, wolves use three, and in interfluve (plain) spaces, out of 17 biotopes, only one (dry shrubs along watersheds). Wolves are more densely populated on sea coasts, where they often feed on sea emissions.

In the forest zone, wolves avoid monotonous continuous forests. In the taiga of Western Siberia, they stay mainly in river valleys (floodplains). IN Irkutsk region They prefer places where small areas of forest alternate with fields, and in winter they widely use roads and paths made by humans. In Karelia, wolves live mainly near populated areas, in sparse forests and bushes adjacent to fields. In winter, they not only approach populated areas, but often enter them. In Belarus, avoiding large forests, they prefer small dense coppices with thickets.

In densely populated areas, although wolves live in close proximity to villages, they stick to especially secluded places: forest islands, swamps, remote ravines and ravines, dense bushes; at the same time, they often stay in wastelands overgrown with weeds, and sometimes in crops.

In the steppes, wolves spend the day, and during the breeding season they make dens in blind ravines and ravines overgrown with bushes and weeds, in tugai thickets in river and stream valleys, in old weedy fields and on crops. In Western Kazakhstan in summer, wolves are common in reeds near water bodies, in ravines and hilly sands, if there are watering places there. In winter, they concentrate near distant pastures, in reeds on the seashore and near large lakes, as well as near villages, where they feed on carrion and hunt dogs. In the north of Kazakhstan, wolves live in ravines, wastelands, weeds and groves, choosing elevated dry areas. In winter, they spend the night here and stay mainly near human settlements, which they approach at night, and during the day they hide in weeds or reeds near lakes. In the virgin steppes of Kustanai they were given shelter by thickets of beanweed (Amygdatus papa) and steppe cherry.

In the deserts and semi-deserts of Central Kazakhstan during the warm season, wolves stay in small hills near springs and streams, in deep sayas (gorges and valleys), if there are sources of water at their bottom, in reeds near reservoirs and in island forests. In winter, they concentrate in areas of transhumance, near rivers and lakes, or follow herds of saigas and goitered gazelles (in Betpak-Dala).

In the south of Kazakhstan, especially many wolves live in river valleys (Aksu, Karatal, Ili, Chu, Talas, Syr-Darya). In summer, they live here in riparian forests, reeds and willows near the channels of lakes, less often in fixed lumpy sands near the water. Here all year round many wild pigs, roe deer, hares, pheasants and waterfowl; livestock grazes right there. In winter, from river valleys, wolves make raids at night into adjacent areas where livestock and goitered gazelles spend the winter, but return to the valleys during the day. In the sands, wolves stay only near watering places, making dens in saxaul forests or dense thickets of bushes.

The distribution of wolves across biotopes is similar in other desert areas of Central Asia. In Turkmenistan, the wolf is widespread, but clearly gravitates towards human settlements and places where livestock graze. It is found high in the mountains (2000 m above sea level and above), in sandy and clay desert and cultural landscapes. In hot weather, there are almost no wolves in the deep parts of deserts, or they are rare there and stay only at a few wells used by people, where flocks stand and there is water remaining from watering herds. The animal stays mainly in river valleys near watering places of wild ungulates (mainly goitered gazelle) and livestock. In winter, when wild ungulates and herds are distributed throughout the desert, the distribution of the wolf changes accordingly.

In the mountains, the wolf rises to a height of 3 and 4 thousand m above sea level (Pamir). In the mountains, wolves are favored by denser and very uneven snow cover, in which they, following the ungulates, stick to less snow-covered slopes and blowouts.

In the North Caucasus, wolves prefer inhabited places, and in the wilderness they are found only where there are many wild ungulates. The life of a wolf here is closely connected with herds of domestic animals, especially flocks of sheep, after which predators climb into the mountains in the summer and go down in winter. In the Caucasus Nature Reserve, 30% of cases of encounters with wolves occurred in the alpine zone, in dark coniferous forests - 32% and broadleaf forests - 38%.

In Armenia, the wolf inhabits dry subtropics, semi-deserts, mountain steppes and meadow-steppes, subalpine and alpine meadows, and is also found on skeletal mountains, rocks and screes, and does not avoid cultivated lands. Within Armenia, the wolf is found at altitudes of 560-3800 m above sea level. In summer, most wolves live in the highlands in areas where livestock graze, and in small numbers in the desert zone and skeletal mountains. By winter, wolves descend into the valleys and only a small number of them remain in the mountains with herds of wild ungulates.

In mountainous Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, wolves in the summer stay in alpine meadows, abundant in marmots and wild ungulates, where livestock graze at this time. In the upper reaches of mountain rivers (at altitudes of 3000-3500 m above sea level), wolves breed their cubs at this time. After the establishment of snow cover in the mountains, following wild and domestic ungulates, they descend into the foothills and valleys; only a small part of wolves linger with herds of wild and sometimes domestic ungulates, which remain in the mountains in the winter in the sun and wind.

There appear to be two populations of wolves in Semirechye; one lives in the mountains and for the winter, together with ungulates, goes down, wintering in the foothills, and the other, a lowland population, lives in the summer in impassable thickets of sea buckthorn, tamarisk and other shrubs in tugai forests. Both are associated with sheep flocks and wild ungulates.

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 carnivorous mammals there are 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, a special device allows their paws to warm up. 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 conditions. 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. Recently, active measures have been taken to breed them.

For this purpose, such animals were transported to Yellowstone Park - Reserve international level where they are the most in the best possible way took root and multiplied, 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 hair, 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 intelligent predators. They have a fluffy and long tail, rounded big 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 in to 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. A social status members are 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 mode, inherent in the wolf's nature, turns out to be very convenient in moderate conditions. climatic 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 before 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 just beginning, half of the litter various reasons dies. 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.

For most people, the wolf is not just a wild animal, but an archetypal image familiar from childhood. It is no coincidence that he became a character in fairy tales. People have long feared and revered this beast. They frightened naughty children with a wolf, called them a man’s elder brother, and composed fairy tales and legends about him.

In languages different nations peace, the word wolf is consonant. It is worth noting that it was born in the Old Slavic language and means “drag” or “drag.” Apparently, the name comes from the manner of moving prey by dragging (dragging in front of you).

Habitat and distribution in the world

In past centuries, the wolf was the most common animal on earth. Today, the habitat has been significantly reduced. The reason for this is the widespread extermination of animals by humans. Nowadays, most of the species lives in the territory of the following countries: Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Georgia, China, Korea, Iran, Indonesia, India, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Scandinavian and Baltic countries, South American countries, Italy, Poland, Spain , Portugal, Mexico, USA, Canada.

The wolf adapts to life in any terrain, but tries to settle in places with few trees. Often lives in close proximity to human settlements. In the taiga, for example, it invariably follows people, choosing to live in places cleared of trees.

In mountainous areas they live up to the border of meadows, choosing weakly rugged areas.

The wolf is one of the territorial animals. During the cold period, flocks lead a sedentary lifestyle. The flock's habitat is marked with tags. The area of such a territory can reach up to 44 km. With the onset of warm months, the animals form pairs.

The strongest individuals continue to live in their territory, while the rest scatter. It is worth noting that wolves accompany herds of deer and domestic animals.

Ancestors of wolves and evolution

The probable ancestor of the modern wolf is Canis lepophagus. This is a representative of the canine breed that inhabited North America during the Miocene period.

The first true wolves appeared during the early Pleistocene. Among the species was Canis priscolatrans, characterized by its small size. This species is believed to be the ancestor of the red wolf, which migrated to Europe and Asia.

Subsequently, Canis priscolatrans modified and evolved, which led to the appearance of C. Mosbachensis, a species that has many things in common with modern representatives. Over time, C. mosbachensis evolved into Canis lupus.

Types and features of each type

Science knows about 32 species and subspecies of wolves. The following will describe the most interesting views.

Arctic (polar)

The rarest subspecies of the gray wolf. Distributed in Greenland, in northern regions Canada and Alaska. The absence of humans in the cold, snowy area made it possible to preserve the habitat in its original form.

The Arctic wolf has a large and powerful body build. The male at the withers can reach 1 m, weighing 100 kg. This species is characterized by sexual dimorphism (males are 15-16% larger than females in size).

The animal is ideally adapted to life in the conditions of the polar night, covering vast distances across the snowy plain to search for prey. An adult can eat up to 12 kg of meat at one time. Often nothing remains of the prey, since polar wolves do not chew the meat, but swallow it along with the bones.

Representatives of this species live in flocks of 12-15 individuals. The head of such a group can be not only a male, but also a female. There are times when a pack accepts lone wolves (if they obey the leader).

Ruffed

The species is named because of the long fur that covers the neck and shoulder area. The skin resembles a horse's mane. The main place of residence is South America.

The maned wolf has a red color. Distinctive feature species are large ears and an elongated head. In appearance, the animal looks lean. The body weight of an adult does not exceed 25 kg.

The maned wolf is a solitary hunter. It chooses small livestock, birds, and reptiles as prey. It also eats fruits.

INTERESTING! Several years ago there was a threat of extinction of this species. Today the problem has been resolved, but the animal continues to remain in the Red Book.

Makenzensky

The most common species found in North America. The weight of the animal can reach 80 kg, and its height is 90 cm. The individual hunts deer, musk oxen, elk and bison.

Mountain (red)

The mountain wolf has a beautiful appearance. Its fur is similar in color to fox fur. Weight is slightly over 20 kg. The length does not exceed 100 cm. The color depends on the region of residence. During the cold period, the fur becomes soft, fluffier and thicker. With the onset of warmth, it takes on a dark color and begins to become coarse.

Predators of this species live and get food in a flock of 12-15 individuals. Their community rarely has a clear leader. Deer, antelope or large rodents are chosen as prey. A strong pack can attack a bull and even a leopard. In case of food shortage, the red wolf can feed on carrion.

INTERESTING! A distinctive feature of the mountain wolf is its method of attacking the victim. Unlike other species (and all canids), it attacks prey from the back, without trying to bite into the neck.

The animal lives secretly and tries to set up camps away from human habitation. This hinders learning.

Ginger

The appearance of the red wolf is similar to the appearance of gray individuals, only red ones are inferior in size and weight, and also have shorter ears and fur. The body can reach a length of 130 cm and a weight of 40 kg. The color is not uniform, the muzzle and legs are red, and the back is dark.

Predators settle in swamps, steppes and mountains. There are individuals in flocks different ages. There is almost never aggression towards individual members in the group.

The red wolf eats not only meat, but also vegetation. Mainly hunts rabbits, rodents and raccoons. Very rare, but attacks large mammals. There are times when the predator itself becomes prey to a lynx or alligator.

common wolf

This species is collectively called the gray wolf. It is the most common animal in the family. Body length reaches 160 cm, weight – 80 kg.

The animal lives in North America and Eurasia. Behind last years the total number has decreased greatly. The reason for this is extermination by man. And only in North America does the population remain stable.

What do wolves eat?

The wolf is a predator. Most often it chooses the following animals as prey:

Roe.
Antelope.
Boar.
Deer.
Hare.
Elk.

Small species, as well as solitary individuals, attack smaller animals - rodents, gophers, birds. Very rarely can choose a victim in the person large predator, although there are cases when packs attack wounded or sleeping bears and foxes.

During the hungry period, they can return to half-eaten carcasses. At such times, predators do not disdain carrion.

In addition to meat, they eat forest fruits, berries, grass, watermelons, and melons. This food allows you to get required amount liquids.

Reproduction and raising of offspring

A pair of wolves is usually formed for life. If one partner dies, the other does not look for a replacement. Animals live in packs of 12 to 45 individuals (depending on the species).

There is a clearly constructed hierarchy in the wolf community. The head is the alpha animal (this can be either a male or a female). This is followed by adults, lone wolves, and pups. Very often single individuals are accepted into the flock. The main condition is a tolerant attitude towards other members of the pack. When the puppies reach three years of age, they are driven outside the conglomerate. The time has come to find a mate on your own and start a family.

INTERESTING! It should be noted that puppies born in the same litter will never mate with each other.

The most stressful time in the life of a pack is mating season, when alpha males and females try to fight off other members. Often fights between animals end in death.

In one litter, a she-wolf has from 3 to 15 puppies. The offspring are gestated for more than two months. Puppies are born blind. The eyes open 10-14 days after birth.

Wolves in zoos - features of captivity

Wolves in zoos live longer than their wild relatives (the former live 20 years, the latter from 8 to 15). This is due to the fact that in the wild, old individuals, unable to obtain food, die or become victims of relatives.

For full life must be created in captivity special conditions. The point is that the animal is natural environment walks up to 20 km daily. This is a normal and necessary load, so there must be an enclosure of appropriate size. It’s a good idea to recreate the conditions of the area in which the animal should live.

An adult should consume up to 2 kg of fresh meat daily. IN winter period the norm increases to 3 kg.

Live food should be brought in periodically to maintain the hunter's instinct.

History of the domestication of the wolf into a dog

Very often small wolf cubs fall into the hands of hunters. They don't always hand over animals to the zoo. Some people bring them home, others sell them. Such a product is in demand; there are risky people who want to get their hands on the predator. And the desire to educate from wild beast pet fuels the excitement even more.

In most cases, such decisions are erroneous and unsafe. The wolf is primarily a predator. Starting it at home is like setting a time bomb. Sooner or later it will explode.

If such a predator appears in the house, then first of all it is necessary to create all the conditions that ensure safety. The wolf is an intelligent, freedom-loving and cunning animal, so everything free time he will spend trying to get out of the cage. In addition, he is able to learn primitive actions from humans. In other words, he can remember how a person opens the cage and do it himself.

Another point that everyone who wants to tame a wild animal should know. He will never perform the functions of a dog. The wolf is a predator, and man is his enemy, he will always be afraid of him. Consequently, when a stranger tries to enter the territory of the house, he will try to hide.

There are about seven distinct species of wolves, and another seventeen (or so) varieties of gray wolf, making a total of about 24 species that can be found throughout the world.

Wolf- a typical predator that obtains food independently by actively searching for and pursuing victims. Everywhere, the basis of wolves' diet is made up of ungulates: in the tundra - wild and domestic reindeer; in the forest zone - moose, roe deer, wild pigs, domestic sheep, cows, horses; near the steppe and desert - antelopes of various species and sheep; in the mountains there are wild and domestic goats.

polar Wolf (Canis lupus tundrarum) is one of the rarest animals on our planet. The polar wolf's habitat is the Arctic. To harsh conditions arctic climate The wolf is well adapted. Its thick, warm, windproof coat helps it survive in extreme temperatures. The wolf has keen eyesight and an excellent sense of smell, which are indispensable in hunting the small living creatures that inhabit these harsh places. Meager supplies of biological food and difficulties in obtaining food lead to the fact that the wolf eats its prey entirely, leaving neither the skin nor bones of the caught animals after the meal. Having an average weight of 60 to 80 kg and a height of up to 80 centimeters, the polar wolf is able to survive without food for several weeks in the event of an unsuccessful hunt, but then can eat up to 10 kilograms of meat at one time. Polar wolves live in packs of up to 10 individuals and hunt polar hares, reindeer and other animals. In one litter of a she-wolf, approximately 3 to 5 cubs are born. The unique fur of the polar wolf has always attracted increased attention hunters, which brought the polar wolf to the brink of extinction. Due to global warming and melting polar ice The number of polar wolves continues to decline due to sudden changes in the climate of their usual habitats. Currently, the polar wolf is listed in the Red Book, and hunting it is prohibited.

– rare view, included in the IUCN Red Book and the Red Book of the Russian Federation. In Russia it is endangered. Hunting is allowed in India, but only with licenses. Externally, this animal has a peculiar appearance - the features of a gray wolf, fox and jackal are mixed. Body length 76-103 cm, tail – 40-48 cm, weight – 14-21 kg. The red wolf has thick, long, reddish-red fur on its back and sides, and on its chest, belly, and the inside of its legs, which are cream-colored. The long fluffy tail is similar to a fox's, it is darker than the rest of the body, almost black at the end. The head shows a dark pattern around the eyes and on the nose. The red wolf is a predator; it feeds mainly on wild animals, but in the summer it also eats plant foods, namely mountain rhubarb. This plant is always found in dens with puppies. It is believed that wolves feed them to small wolf cubs, regurgitating half-digested rhubarb inflorescences. Sometimes they eat carrion. Wolves hunt in packs of 15-20 individuals and act very harmoniously, which allows them to catch even a large animal, for example, a buffalo. Thanks to their endurance, they drive their prey to exhaustion, after which its fate is sealed. Red wolves are quite talkative animals. Wakeful animals almost constantly emit a quiet whine, apparently maintaining communication with other members of the pack. In India, red caps reproduce within six months. The duration of pregnancy in females is 60-68 days. The average litter size is 4-6 puppies. The wolf cubs are dark brown in color, blind, weighing 200-350 g. The pups leave the hole at 70-80 days, and at seven months they already participate in collective hunting. Sexual maturity occurs at 2-3 years. Life expectancy in captivity is about 16 years. In captivity this period is much shorter.

Marsupial wolf or thylacine, as it is otherwise known, is officially considered an extinct animal. According to official data, the last wild representative This species was killed in 1930, and the last one kept in captivity in a private zoo died of old age in 1936. But there is still a possibility that the marsupial wolf still managed to survive in the wilderness of Tasmania (where it once thrived). But so far not a single animal has been caught or even photographed. But scientists do not lose hope. In 1999, scientists from the National Australian Museum, based in Sydney, issued a press statement announcing the start of an ambitious project to create a clone of the thylacine. The scientists intended to use the DNA of marsupial wolf pups that had been preserved in alcohol. DNA was extracted, but, alas, the samples turned out to be damaged and unsuitable for the experiment. The project was suspended. But in 2008, scientists managed to “revive” one of the marsupial wolf genes and “embed” it into a mouse embryo. So who is this marsupial wolf? The marsupial wolf (Tasmanian wolf or marsupial tiger) is a mammal, the only one in the thylacine family. Its first studies and descriptions date back to 1808. These descriptions were made by a certain Harris, he was an amateur naturalist. His work was published by the Linnean Society of London. The thylacine was one of the largest carnivorous marsupials in the world. The length of its body reached one and a half meters, and even more with its tail. Height at the withers is approximately sixty centimeters. The weight of the marsupial wolf was twenty to twenty-five kilograms. But the most amazing thing about his appearance was his mouth - elongated and elongated, it could open as much as 120 degrees. Famous interesting fact that when the wolf yawned, his jaws formed a straight line (well, almost a straight line).

(Chrysocyon brachyurus ) or guar, aguarachai gets its name from the long hair that adorns its shoulders and neck, reminiscent of a horse's mane. The maned wolf's habitat is primarily the savannas of South America, but it can also be found in Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay and Northern Argentina, where it lives in the pampas and along the edges of swamps overgrown with tall grass. Lean and light, the maned wolf has red fur, an elongated muzzle and large ears, which makes it look vaguely like a very large fox. The body length of the maned wolf, from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, is approximately 160 cm, the height of the wolf at the shoulders reaches, on average, 75 cm, and the weight varies from 20 to 23 kilograms. Aguarachay - the tallest of all known species wolves. The long legs help the maned wolf locate prey over the tall grasses that cover savannas and wetlands. The wolf hunts, as a rule, alone, and its prey is mainly small animals, such as agouti, pacu, various birds and reptiles. The wolf also eats fruits and other plant foods, carries poultry and is capable of attacking sheep when gathered in flocks. Auarachai live in pairs, but rarely contact each other. Maned wolf cubs have a black coat color and are born in winter, 2-3 cubs per litter. Aguarachai or maned wolves are listed as endangered on the International Red List of Threatened Species. Currently, there is no immediate threat of extinction, but the maned wolf still remains a very rare animal.

(Canis lupus arctos), also called the Ellesmere wolf or Arctic wolf, lives in North America on a group of Arctic islands and in the northern part of Greenland. The Melville Island wolf is slightly smaller in size than the common wolf, and its length, from ears to tip of tail, varies from 90 to 180 cm. The wolf reaches a maximum height of 69-79 cm, with a weight of about 45 kg, although especially large , adult males can weigh about 80 kg. The Melville Island wolf's fur is typically light white or grayish. Wolf ears have small size, which helps it rationally spend heat in conditions low temperatures. For more successful hunting, Melville wolves unite in packs of 5-10 individuals. The main objects of hunting for the Melville Island wolf are reindeer and musk oxen, to which the wolf pack uses driven hunting tactics, attacking mainly weakened prey that cannot offer strong resistance. The wolf's food also includes arctic hares, lemmings and, occasionally, moose. Permafrost is a significant obstacle that makes it difficult for the wolf to arrange and dig a den, so wolves use the natural landscape and place their homes in rock ledges, caves or small depressions. The Melville Island wolf gives birth to few cubs, 2-3 cubs per litter, which is largely due to harsh conditions life in the arctic climate.

Belongs to the class of mammals and the order of carnivores. The name Japanese wolf comes from two subspecies of the common wolf family (Canis lupus), which once lived on the islands of Japan. In the worldwide classification, the Japanese wolf belongs to the Hokkaido wolf (Canis lupus hattai). He is also known as Ezo, a wolf who lived on the island of Hokkaido. And the second subspecies is the Hondos wolf or Honshu wolf (Canis lupus hodophilax). Today, both species are considered extinct. In terms of external dimensions, Hokkaido was much larger than the Honshu wolf, and in terms of parameters it was approaching the size common wolf. In 1889, this subspecies became extinct due to the increased settlement of the island for the construction of farms, during the Meiji restoration. The existing Meiji Government determined a reward for anyone who brought the head of a killed wolf, thereby organizing a campaign to exterminate them.

Lyre wolf found exclusively in South America

Newfoundland Wolf - Officially extinct in 1911

Newfoundland Wolf (Canis lupus beothucus) The Newfoundland wolf lived on an island near Newfoundland east coast Canada. The color was light with a dark stripe along the ridge. Dimensions were an average of 5.5 feet (from nose to tip of tail). Diet consisted of: Caribou (as reindeer are called in Canada), beavers, voles and other rodents. Hunting and fur trade in the habitat region led to complete disappearance this species in 1911. The extinction was also influenced by factors such as a severe food shortage in 1900, which led to a sharp decline in the caribou population.

A wolf very similar to a fox. This species is endangered; for its fur, which has no analogues (the color of the fur can reach yellow), this animal is widely hunted.

Also known as the Mountain Wolf, Alaskan Wolf, or Canadian Forest Wolf. A direct relative of our timber wolf, but due to specific habitat conditions it has thicker fur and a whitish color that remains even in summer.

There are six subspecies of wolves found in Russia:

Tundra wolf, Central Russian forest wolf, Siberian forest wolf, Steppe wolf, Caucasian wolf, Mongolian wolf.

Contrary to popular belief, it is this wolf that reaches maximum sizes on the Eurasian continent, not tundra. The coloring is classic, and not lightened, like the tundra. Body length of adult Central Russian forest wolves can exceed 160 cm, and the height at the shoulders reaches 1 meter. Of course, such dimensions can only apply to very large individuals. It is generally accepted that on average an adult male weighs 40 - 45 kg, a mature male (about 1 year and 8 months old) weighs about 35 kg, and a mature male (8 months old) weighs 25 kg. She-wolves weigh 15 - 20% less. Anyone who is familiar with old hunting literature, or who has been to “wolf” corners and talked with local residents, has probably read or heard about huge wolves. How much weight can wolves reach? For Central Russia, scientific works indicate a maximum weight in the range of 69 - 80 kg. (Ognev, Zvorykin). And here are the results of weighing specific animals. For the Moscow region - a male weighing 76 kg, the largest of the 250 wolves caught by the wolf hunter V.M. Hartuleri, famous in the thirties and forties of the last century. For Altai - a male weighing 72 kg. The wolf, stuffed of which is in the Moscow State University zoo museum, weighed 80 kg (5 pounds). According to N.D. Sysoev, head of the state hunting inspection Vladimir region, in the period from 1951 to 1963, 641 wolves were killed, of which 17 were especially large. Among these animals, the largest mass was: of males - 79 kg, caught in the Sobinsky district, of females - 62 kg. The footprint of the right front paw of this huge, almost eighty-kilogram animal had a length of 16 and a width of 10 cm. It must be said that wolves of even larger sizes are indicated for Ukraine - 92 kg from the Lugansk region and 96 kg from the Chernigov region, but the conditions for determining the mass of these animals are unknown. The Central Russian forest wolf lives throughout the forest and forest-steppe zones of the European part of Russia, and probably penetrates into Western Siberia. In the north, it is quite possible for it to enter the forest-tundra, however, in the same way as the tundra into the taiga.

It is also a large animal, not inferior in its average size to the previous subspecies. According to many scientists, it is still conditionally identified as a separate subspecies, since the taxonomy of Siberian wolves is still poorly developed. The predominant color is light gray, ocher tones are poorly visible or absent altogether. The fur, although not as tall and silky as that of the tundra wolf, is also thick and soft. Its habitat is largely considered Eastern Siberia, Far East and Kamchatka, except for the tundra zone, as well as Transbaikalia.

In general, somewhat smaller than the forest one, with sparse and coarser hair. The color on the back is with a noticeable predominance of rusty-gray or even brown hair, and the sides are light gray. Its range includes the steppes of southern Russia, including the Cis-Caucasian, Caspian, Ural and Lower Volga regions. Poorly studied. A system of specific characteristics has not been developed. The number is low, especially in the western parts of the range.

A medium-sized animal with coarse and short guard hair and rather poorly developed underfur. The color is noticeably darker than the subspecies described above due to the black guard hairs evenly distributed throughout the skin. The overall tone is dirty gray, dull. Within our country, the range is limited to the Main Caucasian ridge and its forested foothills.

The Mongolian wolf is the smallest in size compared to all the wolves that live in Russia. The average weight of males of this species does not exceed 40 kg. The Mongolian wolf has a dull, dirty gray hue, coarse and coarse fur. This subspecies of wolves is common in the eastern and southwestern Transbaikalia and the Primorsky Territory.

Lifestyle of wolves. Migration of wolves in search of new territories

Lifestyle of wolves

Wolves are active mainly at night, but sometimes they can be found during the day. They make their presence known by a vocal howl, which is very different in character among adult males, she-wolves and young ones, and also depending on the situation. The point is that with the help various kinds Through howls, wolves exchange information about the presence of prey, the appearance of other wolves in the pack's territory, the appearance of people and other important events. Wolves also have quite developed facial expressions - the expressions of their muzzle, posture and tail position can be very diverse, which reflects emotional condition animals and is of paramount importance for establishing contacts between individuals or, conversely, preventing collisions. Of the analyzers in wolves, the most developed is hearing, some weaker are vision and smell.
Well-developed higher nervous activity in wolves is combined with strength, agility, tirelessness, running speed and other physical characteristics that significantly increase the chances of this predator in the fight for survival. Without visible effort, he can carry a sheep in his teeth, holding it in front of him or throwing it behind his back. If necessary, the wolf reaches speeds of up to 55-60 kilometers per hour, capable of traveling up to 60-80 km. per night, and on average per day (in the forest zone) to cover over 20 km.

In the tundra, as well as in the mountains, wolves carry out seasonal migrations behind herds of wild and domestic ungulates. Sometimes there is a noticeable increase in the number of wolves in a certain area as a result of a sharp deterioration in living conditions in neighboring areas. Migration of wolves in search of new territories In a wolf pack there is a strict hierarchical ladder, which is determined by a very complex set of relationships in the pack, the age of its members and feats in hunting. The least respected are young wolves, who occupy the highest positions in the hierarchy. lowest places, they are the ones who often fight off the pack, showing pride and impatience with oppression from their older brothers. Such wolves migrate from the territory occupied by the pack over quite long distances in search of the same tribesmen or smaller packs with weaker leaders and available lone wolves. Lone wolves move carefully, avoiding encounters with humans, but not necessarily at night. Along the way, the wolf stops to hunt, often for livestock. When meeting lonely brothers, they flock into small flocks and continue their journey in search of free territories and rich hunting grounds. In this case, a pack of migrating wolves can consist of up to three or five individuals. When united in a pack, wolves often attack shepherds and enter small villages, but only when they long time luck does not smile in the hunt. A meeting between migrating wolves and a pack of fellow tribesmen can result in trouble for a weaker enemy. Thus, going through difficulties and trials, wolves explore new territories, sometimes running hundreds of kilometers.

Wolf hunting. How wolves divide territory

Wolf Hunt

Wolves belong to the canine family and are very similar to dogs in appearance and habits. Well-developed muscles and fairly long legs allow them to run quite quickly. Wolves used to be very numerous in the Northern Hemisphere, but they have been exterminated in many countries. Wolves live in packs according to the laws of hierarchy (one wolf dominates the others) and communicate using a whole range of sounds of different tones.
How do wolves hunt? They move in search of prey along the same routes, more than 160 kilometers long. Sometimes it takes them several weeks to cover all the trails. Wolves are predators, so they eat meat. They attack other animals that they meet along the way. Wolves hunt deer, elk and other large ungulates. In Canada and Alaska, wolves follow on the heels of caribou herds, attacking young animals and weak, sick animals. In the north, wolves hunt musk oxen. And if they see a herd of livestock left unattended, they will immediately attack it. Wolves also hunt hares and other rodents, but only if there is no easier prey nearby. Hungry animals, having lost hope, will feast on fresh meat and are content with wild berries.

How wolves divide territory

Owning a huge territory, a pack of polar wolves, for example, will, of course, not be able to maintain exclusive rights to it, but wolves living in the forest, whose possessions are much smaller, are forced to clearly recognize the border of their territory. Wolves mark their possessions with the smell of their own body, raising their paws like domestic dogs. They do this especially carefully on the border with the territory of another flock. So that the neighbors understand who they are dealing with and are afraid to violate the border. Smells play an even greater role in communication between wolves than sounds. If one pack of wolves, for example, in the process of hunting, intersects with another, then bloody showdown with victims, which is why wolves howl to warn others of their location. The alpha male usually begins to howl, his howl is picked up by others. When chasing prey, wolves howl, making shorter sounds, notifying their fellows where they are. All wolf packs nearby respond to the howl of one of the packs, and an unimaginable forest cacophony immediately begins. However, it often happens that one of the flocks does not reasonably pick up someone else’s howl, it is numerically too small, and therefore it needs to hide or retreat as quickly as possible for the same reasons. It should be noted that a lone wolf will never howl

Life in wolf's clothing

Have you ever wondered where this expression came from? For some reason, it is generally accepted that life in a wolf’s skin means, first of all, the risk of running into a hunter at any moment, whose first intention will be to take this very skin from you. It may well be that life in wolf skin is not at all a fear of dying at the hands of a hunter, but a fear of dying alone? In ancient times, it was believed that wolves embodied in their essence all the evil that lives in the forests. In all children's fairy tales, undoubtedly, the wolf appears in the image of a negative hero, but if you think carefully, it was we who created such an image of the wolf. Maybe, in fact, wolves are completely different? One day, having come across a television program about domesticated wild animals, I was able to imagine real image wolf, not inspired by false ideas. Like a faithful dog, huge Gray wolf, while playing, licked the hands of his owner, the man who long ago picked him up as a wolf cub in the forest, cured him and gave him, in fact, new life. Why did the wolf, such a terrible and lonely animal, sincerely thank his savior and educator? Perhaps because he found himself true friend among people and now is not afraid to die alone.

Wolf- this is, first of all, the highest symbol of freedom in the animal world, a symbol of independence (while the so-called king of beasts - the lion - is trained in the circus).
Wolf- This is also a symbol of fearlessness. In any fight, the wolf fights until victory or death.
Wolf does not pick up carrion, which means it is a symbol of purity.
Wolf lives as a family, cares only for his wolf wife, and the wolf father himself raises his wolf children. Among wolves there is no such vice as adultery.
Wolf- this is also a symbol of high morality and devotion to family (which cannot be said about males of other animals).
Wolf - a symbol of justice and ambition. Under normal conditions, the wolf will not allow, for its part, to offend the weaker.

27 comments on the article Wolf Breeds

Niramin - Jan 19th, 2016

The wolf or gray wolf (lat. Canis lupus) is a large predatory animal from the canine family. They are the only land mammals that have the most extensive habitat. They live in the territories of Asia, Europe and North America (from Alaska to Mexico). In Europe they live in Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Baltics, Scandinavia, and the Balkans. In Asia they are found in Korea, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and the north of the Arabian Peninsula. They prefer tundra, steppes, forest-steppes, taiga zones, and the foothills of mountains. They can settle close to places where people live.

Appearance

The body length of a wolf is about 100 - 150 cm, smaller wolves - from 80 to 120 cm. The weight of males is up to 55-70 kg, females - up to 45 kg. The length of the tail can be up to 40 cm. Height at the withers is 60 - 80 cm. The wolf is covered with gray-brown fur, which becomes lighter over time. Tundra wolves They have a light coat color, almost white. Sometimes there are red and even black predators. The coat is thick, long, and tends to shed twice a year (in spring and autumn).

Nutrition

Wolves are predominantly active night image life. They announce their arrival by howling. They have a developed sense of smell and hearing. They chase their prey and, thanks to their fast running, catch up with it. They prefer to eat deer, roe deer, wild boar, and elk. They also catch hares, gophers, foxes, and attack livestock. In summer, due to thirst, they can eat watermelons and melons. Sometimes they attack people. Every day they eat up to 3 kg of animal food and drink up to 1 liter of water.

Reproduction and lifespan

It is interesting to know that wolves are monogamous, forming pairs for a long time until the partner dies. They live in flocks, family groups. The number can vary from 3 to 40 animals. The head of the pack is the alpha male and his wife is the alpha female.
Depending on the territorial location of the predators, mating occurs in January - April. A she-wolf's pregnancy lasts up to 65 days. Typically, 3 to 13 wolf cubs are born. They are first fed with mother's milk, and then complementary foods made from chewed food are introduced. The entire pack takes care of and feeds the wolf cubs. Puberty occurs at the age of 3–4 years.

They age at the age of 10 - 12 years and live up to a maximum of 15 years.

See the gallery of photos of a large predator - a wolf:

Photo: Flock.

Photo: Fight of wolves.