Wolves are associated with many fairy tales and everyone knows they are a breed that likes to live in groups. This is also a wolf breed that needs to be protected. This animal is also quite controversial when it comes to whether or not it can become a human companion like a dog. In fact, there is no exact answer, but let’s join RussiCat to learn more about the origin, characteristics, characteristics and issues surrounding wolves. How much do you know about wolves? Can you raise wolves?
1. Domestic dogs are relatives of wolves
Wolves (Canis Lupus) are related to dogs. Today’s domestic dogs have been domesticated from ancient wolves, over many generations, bred and developed to only have good qualities, suitable for raising in the home. Wolves and dogs are quite similar in many ways, however, in most cases, wolves are larger animals.
Wolves usually have longer legs than dogs. Wolves have developed the ability to survive in the harshest climates. Arctic wolves endure many winter months in perpetual darkness. Even in February when the sun returns to the north, temperatures of -40°C and biting winds are common. They still survive and exist there. Other wolves are at home in the desert and the humidity of the humid Gulf Coast marshes. It can be seen that wolves can often endure harsher weather and have more endurance than domestic dogs.
2. Characteristics of wolves
Wolves are very intelligent creatures, they have erect ears, sharp teeth, pointed snouts and quite searching eyes. The weight and size of a coyote can vary greatly depending on where it lives. Generally, height varies from 0.6 to 0.95 meters at the shoulder and weight ranges from 20 to 62kg. The gray wolf is the largest of the wild canids. Extremely large specimens of wolves weighing more than 77kg have been recorded in Alaska and Canada, although they are rarely seen.
The heaviest wild wolf ever recorded, killed in Alaska in 1939, weighed 80 kg. The smallest wolves come from the Arabian Wolf subspecies, females can weigh as little as 10 kg when fully grown.
Females in any given wolf population typically weigh about 20% more than their male counterparts. Wolves can be from 1.3 to 2 meters long from nose to tail tip, this tail accounting for about a quarter of the overall length of the body.
The wolf’s body is built for endurance, possessing characteristics ideal for long-distance travel. Their narrow chest and strong back and legs help them move efficiently.
Wolves are capable of trotting at around 10km/h and have been known to reach speeds of nearly 65km/h during a chase.
3. Personality of wolves
Wolves are very intelligent. Unlike other domesticated animals, wolves are capable of thinking and reasoning like their wild cousins. This allows them to better understand the world around them. They are also independent and stubborn. Coyotes can be very difficult to live with. They are not naturally submissive, so they will need advanced training methods and a consistent trainer.
Wolves are by nature pack animals, which means they are very social creatures. They crave company and love attention, not wanting to be left alone for too long.
Wolves also have high energy levels and need lots of exercise. Wolves are highly social creatures and they form strong bonds with their owners. When left alone, they often become anxious and restless.
Therefore, coyotes require a lot of attention and patience. They may also need training to cope with periods of separation.
4. Social structure of wolves
Wolves are gregarious animals, living mainly in packs. A pack is formed when a male wolf and a female wolf meet and stay together. As a mating pair, they find a territory to settle in and raise their young for most of the year.
Their cubs stay with them until they are old enough to leave home, usually when they are 3 years old and ready to pair up and form their own flock.
The hierarchy in a wolf pack is led by the alpha male and female. This affects all their activities. The first group consists of males, led by the alpha male, and the other group consists of females, led by the alpha female. In this situation, the alpha male assumes the position of overall alpha.
However, in some cases during the mating season, the dominant female is completely dominant even when the young are still in the den. That female will also decide where the den will be. With this in mind, they go in search of food and bring it back to the den for their children or for their children.
The male and female hierarchy is interdependent and continuously maintained by aggressive and complex displays of dominance and submission.