Addy
Mr. D
Gray Wolves Rough Draft
9-12-22
Gray wolves are social, pack-living animals. Their pack comprises of two to thirty-six
members depending on the habitat and the abundance of prey. Packs are normally composed
of the alpha pair and their offspring. Unrelated immigrants may also become members of the
pack. There is strong dominance hierarchy within the wolves and the pack leader is dominant
over all the individuals. The next in rank is the alpha female, who is submissive only to the alpha
male. One of the ways the wolves show rank in the pack is by whoever eats first. Rank can also
be demonstrated by facial expressions and actions like crouching, chin touching, and rolling to
expose their stomach, which is the tenderest part of a wolf. Wolves are social animals and
depend on one another to survive.
Gray wolves are carnivores. They vary from hunting on their own, in their packs, or
stealing prey from their predators. Wolves primarily hunt in packs for the bigger prey such as
moose, elk, and caribou. Once the wolves have brought the huge animal down, they start
attacking the victim’s flank and the shoulders. The wolves help to control the populations by
killing off the weak, old, and immature animals that they prey on. They can consume up to nine
kilograms of meat in one meal if they’ve made a big, successful kill. Wolves utilize the entire
carcass as well as the prey’s hair and its bones. If garbage and livestock are available, a wolf
might scavenge on that when food is scarce. Wolves are carnivorous and have the ability to
take down large animals with other packmates.
Gray wolves are exceptionally good parents.
