Grey Wolfs

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Amelia: It is thought that when wolves prey on weak deer and other animals, being opportunistic hunters, they are actually improving the overall health of that species (Defenders of Wildlife). This is because, by preying on the weak animals, there is then more food for the stronger animals to survive (Bonnie, E 2002). Wolves can be preyed on by a number of animals in the wild, including bears and cougars but they tend to be around the top of the food chain (Maddy’s written notes). In comparison, grey wolves tend to prey on large animals such as deer and elk when hunting in packs, but if they find themselves hunting alone they are likely to target rabbits, squirrels or other rodents (Maddy’s written notes).

Maddy: Although grey wolves do not have many natural predators, their biggest killer is humans, especially around urbanized areas. The most common cause for death is human conflict with hunting and extermination for preying on livestock or for competing for territory (Defenders of Wildlife). Wolves and bears can coexist peacefully and often avoid each other. However, wolf-bear interactions can be quite violent. Grizzly bears will sometimes dig up, kill, and eat wolf pups. Wolves may even attack, and have been known to kill, a grizzly bear that gets too close to the den. Bears will scavenge off of kills made by wolves, and they may try to drive a wolf or a few wolves off of a kill. Wolves can be quite aggressive towards black bears. There are records of wolves preying on black bears, and wolves have been known to kill and eat hibernating bears. Wolves will also attack black bear cubs when the mother bear cannot get to them and hurry them up a tree fast enough.

Amelia: Foxes are like coyotes, and bears, will scavenge off of wolf kills. Wolves will sometimes raid food caches that a fox has prepared, and wolves will also take over old fox dens. Wolves often ignore foxes, since foxes do not compete with wolves for food as foxes hunt much smaller animals than wolves do. However, wolves will chase away, and possibly catch, injure and kill, a fox that was caught feeding on its kill. Most foxes are fast and alert enough to get away from the wolves first. Although it is rare, wolves have been known to prey on red foxes. Arctic wolves will also prey on arctic foxes if food is scarce.[c]

Maddy: Prey numbers may rise and fall, they may face danger but this supreme hunter is still on the hunt.

Bibliography

Blue Planet Biomes Taiga - Maddy's Notes

Bonnie, E 2002, Gray Wolf, viewed 29/07/2015

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga_animal_page.htm

Defenders of Wildlife, ND, Threats to Wolves, viewed 26/07/2015

http://www.defenders.org/gray-wolf/threats

Maddy's Hand Written notes

RedLIst, 02/2015, Canis Iupus, viewed 28/07/2015

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/3746/0

ScienceKids, ND, Fun Wolf Facts, viewed 28/07/2015

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/wolf.html

SLA, 06/02/2008, Wolves and Their Carnivorous Competitors, viewed 30/07/2015

http://sla-divisions.typepad.com/dbio/2008/02/wolves-and-thei.html

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 11/2006 (Maddy's Notes)