ALL YOU EVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT Wolves

WOLVES ARE THE LARGEST members of the dog family (Canidae) and can be found in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa. They are highly sociable mammals that typically travel and hunt in packs.

- JO PRICE

These apex predators are a keystone species because they encourage biodiversity and support ecosystems by keeping prey numbers under control. Wolves live in a variety of habitats, including forests, shrublands, wetlands, grasslands, rocky areas and deserts.

What do wolves eat?

These carnivores occur primarily but not exclusively in wilderness and remote areas where there is suitable food. Unsurprisingly, there are usually more wolves where there is more to eat. The wolves' diet mainly consists of large ungulates such as moose, caribou, deer and wild boar, but they are also known to catch smaller mammals. Wolves will also consume livestock, carrion and rubbish.

How do wolves hunt?

Wolves hunt large mammals in packs, outrunning and exhausting their targets: the young, old, injured or sick are often selected. They attack prey by biting the flanks, legs or throat to immobilise it. Higher-ranking members of the pack feed first, followed by the rest. When wolves hunt smaller animals, they tend to hunt alone and rely on stalking and pouncing.

How many species of wolf are there?