Wolves WOLF NOTES PART I Canis lupus
Dogs came from… wolves? Dogs were domesticated 15,000 years ago from wolves Wolves and dogs are genetically similar
Wolf Terminology Male dog Female bitch Baby pup
Size: lbs Record 175 lb taken in AK Color Gray, Black, Brown, White Arctic areas- lighter Southeast - darker Pelt Thick, plush, long guard hairs Used for parka ruffs
Life Span years in wild 15 plus in captivity
Diet Large game Southeast - deer Interior - moose and caribou Arctic - caribou Smaller game Grouse, ptarmigan, ducks Hares, mice, voles Vegetation Berries
Species of wolf in North America 1. Red Wolf Smaller Southeastern U.S. A couple hundred live in captivity Brink of extinction
2. Gray Wolf: Listed as endangered in 1973 Sparse populations in lower 48 Reintroduced to areas
3. Mexican Wolf Sub-species of gray wolf Mexico southwest, small
4. Arctic wolf Sub species of gray wolf Canadian arctic and Greenland
6. Eastern wolf Sub species of gray wolf Hybrid between gray wolf and red wolf
7. Mackenzie Valley Wolf Species that lives in AK Sub species of grey wolf
Life History Monogamous - mate for life Breed in February Gestation days Usually only alphas mate Males help in den activities Parents regurgitate food to young Den sites are riverbanks or slopes
Behavior Howl Find each other Boundaries Also use urine and body rubbing Behaviors for dominance or submission Alpha male and female