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Gray wolf: features and photos


Origin of the gray wolf

Currently, a species called Miacis cognitus is recognized, belonging to the oldest known group of primitive carnivores ( Miacis ), as the common ancestor of all modern carnivorous mammals, even of canids.It is estimated that these first carniform ancestors would have lived during the upper Cretaceous period, which has extended from 100 to 66 million years ago [1 ].

Subsequently, the members of Miacis begin to differentiate morphologically, giving rise to different groups of carnivorous mammals, among which are the first canids to inhabit our planet (the hesperoquioninos ), which would appear for the first time about 38 million years ago.After experiencing many evolutionary changes, the hesperoquioninos would give rise to Eucyon Davis, a kind of primitive song that has lived about 10 million years ago and proved he was the first to cross the Bering Strait and reach the African continent and Eurasia, where years later the first modern canids would appear [2].

However, the The first fossil specifically associated with the gray wolf that is known to date is about 800,000 years [3].Originally, the world population of gray wolves was very abundant and spread throughout Eurasia, North America and even the Middle East.Unfortunately, hunting and the transformations in its territory associated with the productive and economic advance of man have caused the gray wolf habitat to be significantly reduced, as well as its population.


Aspect and anatomy of the gray wolf

Like most wolf species, gray wolves have a great morphological diversity.The size, weight and body dimensions of each individual belonging to this species can vary significantly, depending mainly of the conditions of their habitat.Generally, the colder and extreme the climate of their territory, the more large and robust the wolf will be.Regardless of their exact measurements, all wolves maintain harmonious lines and balanced proportions in his body, which allow him to make fast and precise movements that are indispensable in his hunting technique.

In general, the body of a gray wolf usually reaches between 1,3 and 2 meters long , measured from the truffle to the tip of its tail, which usually represents up to 1/4 of the total length.The height at the cross goes from 60 centimeters, in the smallest individuals and up to about 90 centimeters in the most g The average body weight of the species is also very variable, ranging from 35 to 40 kilos in females to about 70 kilos in adult males .

Its anatomy is perfectly adapted to the long distances that have always needed to travel in their habitat in search of food.The strong back, the narrow chest, the legs with very well developed musculature , are some of the features Outstanding physicals of the gray wolves that facilitate their mobility and provide them with great resistance to face their long hunting days.

Their "off-road" legs are also very important for their adaptability, since they are prepared to walk on different surfaces .Between their fingers, the gray wolves have a small interdactillary membrane that facilitates their locomotion due to the snow that abounds in their territory during the winter.They are also digitigrated animals , is Dec go, who walk on the toes of their legs without resting on their heels, which have longer hind legs and show a fifth finger vestigial only on their front legs.

The head and snout of the gray wolf are more smaller than in the other types of wolves, and his chest is also usually a little narrower.He also has very sharp teeth in his powerful jaws, so his bite is really strong.colors of his mantle may also vary, but as his most popular name indicates, the gray tones in his mantle usually prevail, with reflections or tufts in yellowish, orange or reddish colors.In turn, his eyes They are usually yellow.


Gray Wolf Behavior

Gray wolves usually live in packs that can gather between 5 and 20 individuals that will respect a fairly developed hierarchical structure.Generally, a pack of wolves is composed of a breeding pair, formed by the alpha and his partner (commonly known as female beta), and their children.Eventually, it is possible to observe wolves traveling alone, but the reason that separates them from their herds is unknown.

This Social organization capacity and the protection and cooperation instinct among the members of the pack have been fundamental for the survival of gray wolves, as it allows them to improve their effectiveness when hunting in groups, ensuring better Nutrition for all members of the pack, in addition to achieving a greater reproductive success, considering that males and females do not need to be exposed to climatic adversities to meet, and that the puppies are less vulnerable to attack by de edadores to be protected by their herd.

To speak in nutrition, wolves are carnivorous mammals whose diet is based on the consumption of prey that they manage to hunt in their habitat.That is why, the feeding of the wolf Gray can vary according to the biodiversity of its surroundings, that is, according to the animals that live in the surroundings of its territory.Generally, the "favorite" prey of gray wolves are medium-large animals, such as pigs, goats, reindeer, bison , deer, sheep, antelopes, elk, among others.But they can also catch small prey, such as birds and rodents, mainly if they detect food shortages in their surroundings.

Individuals living in marine areas can also incorporate aquatic mammals into their food, mainly seals.In addition, wolves that inhabit Alaska and Canada can consume salmon to supplement their nutrition.Eventually, wolves living near urbanized centers, pu They can take advantage of human food waste in times of poor food availability.

It is also important to mention the outstanding vocalization capacity of gray wolves that plays a fundamental role in the communication between the members of the pack and in their social organization The howl is their main sound and helps keep the pack communicated even when some members move away to hunt or during mating times, when breeding pairs can separate for several days from their group to mate.In addition, the howls also help to drive away possible predators or wolves from other herds that may eventually want to approach to dispute the territory.


Gray Wolf Reproduction

The reproductive behavior of wolves can vary according to the species and the conditions of their habitat.Gray wolves stand out as one of the most faithful animals to their partner, always mating with the same individual until one of the two dies.Generally, only the breeding pair mates to generate puppies, but if the herd lives in a territory with abundant food and favorable weather conditions, it is possible that the brothers also reproduce.On the contrary, if they perceive a shortage of unfavorable food and conditions in their environment, even the breeding couple may decide not to procreate to avoid missing food for the herd.

The wolf's reproductive time occurs between the months of January and April, during winter and the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere.Males begin to be more affectionate in relation to females, devoting themselves to grooming them and spending more time with them, a few weeks before of entering their fertile period .At each season, females can be receptive for about 5 and up to 14 days , during which they will mate several times with their partner.In addition, males usually ejaculate multiple times in each mountain, which increases the reproductive success of their species.

The gray gestation of wolves usually lasts about 60 days, at the end of those who usually give birth to a litter of 4 to 6 puppies, although they can give birth to more than 10 offspring.With the help of the male, the female will find a cave or a shelter where she can live childbirth and breastfeeding in Security: The wolverines will be breastfed by their mother and remain in the shelter next to her during their first three months of life.The alpha male will be the main person in charge of protecting the cave of his herd, absent only when it is necessary to hunt for food.

After completing three months of life, the wolverines will begin to gain greater autonomy and explore their surroundings, trying new foods provided by their parents.But only after their 6 months of life will they be able to fend for themselves alone.When they complete their development and are sexually mature , usually after their second year of life, young wolves usually separate from their original herd (that of their parents and siblings) to form a couple and form your own pack.


Conservation status of the gray wolf

Currently, the gray wolf is classified as a kind of "minor concern" , according to the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species (International Union for the Conservation of Nature).However, its population has declined dramatically over the past two centuries, especially in North America and Eurasia.

Hunting continues to be the greatest threat to the conservation of this species, since it erroneously wolves are often considered to be dangerous animals or that can attack people without motives, which is why greater investments are needed in behavior awareness campaigns and the importance of wolves in their ecosystems , as well as a better delimitation of the productive zones and the urban centers to avoid that they continue advancing in an excessive or unplanned way on the habitat of the gray wolves.

References

Wesley, GD; Flynn, JJ (2005)." Phylogeny of the Carnivora: Basial relationships among the carnivoramorphans, and assessment of the position of Miacoidea relative to crown-clade Carnivora" .Journal of Systematic Paleeontology.3 (1) : 1-28.Heinrich, Ronald E.(1997)." Referral of Miacis jepseni Guthrie to Oodectes Wortman, and an assessment of phylogenetic relationships among early Eocene Miacidae (Mammalia: Carnivora) ".Journal of Paleeontology.Tedford RH, Wang X, Taylor BE (2009)." Phylogenetic Systematics of the North American Fossil Caninae (Carnivora: Canidae) ".Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 325: 1-218.

Bibliography

  • Abundant Wildlife Society of North America. Wolves and Hunting .
  • IUCN Red List-Canis Lupus (2015), available at iucnredlist.org.
  • MECH, L.David (2013). Alpha position, dominance and division of labor in the herds of wolves -Available at: https://wolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/267alphastatus_english.pdf
  • L.David Mech&Luigi Boitani (2001). Wolves: Behavior, Ecology and Conservation , p 448.
  • Riley Woodford (2009). Alaska's Salmon-Eating Wolves .ADF&G Division of Wildlife Conservation.
  • W Jedrzejewski, K Schmidt, J Theuerkauf, BJ edrzejewska and R Kowalczyk. Territory size of wolves Canis lupus: linking local (BiaÅ‚owieża Primeval Forest, Poland) and Holarctic-scale patterns .
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