III.

Habitat and Hunting

The wolf was originally among the world’s most widely distributed mammals. Historically it ranged from Canada to Mexico in North America, throughout most countries in Europe, and in northern Russia, parts of the Middle East, China, India, and Nepal. Highly adaptable animals, wolves are at home in a diverse range of habitats, from prairies and Arctic tundra to forests, lowlands, and all but the highest mountains. They also thrive in a variety of climates and may settle in areas inhabited by people. Choice of location is mainly directed by the availability of prey. Wolf packs establish and defend territory that can range in size from 26 to 2,590 sq km (10 to 1,000 sq mi), depending on the species.

Gray wolves will travel long distances in pursuit of prey, sometimes as far as 48 km (30 mi) in one day. The gray wolf can travel at up to 56 km (35 mi) per hour but is comfortable trotting at 8 km (5 mi) per hour. Particularly during the winter, large packs of up to 24 members will form to hunt deer, caribou, moose, and other large herbivores. Members of these packs cooperate to drive and ambush prey. They will usually select the weak, old, or very young animals for easier capture. Hunts can begin in the early evening and continue until morning.

Wolves also prey on rabbits, rodents, and birds. A wolf may consume up to 8 kg (18 lb) of meat at one time. When no live prey can be found, they will feed on carrion (decaying flesh of dead animals), berries, and invertebrates. There are few if any documented cases of a healthy wild wolf attacking a human without provocation.