Grey Wolf:
DESCRIPTION - Generally the wolf is grizzled gray but color varies from white to black. The ears are erect and the tail is bushy and black tipped. The male is larger than the female and average weight is 55-130 pounds.
DISTRIBUTION - The wolf prefers open tundra and forests. Although they once inhabited most of North America, now distribution occurs in only Alaska, Canada, and parts of the U.S.A. Human fear, superstition, and outright hatred of this animal decreased its population drastically and eradicated it from 50% of its former range. BIOLOGY - The wolf is a very social animal that mates for life and lives in packs of 2-15. The strongest male is usually the pack leader; all members of the pack care for the youngest which helps unite the pack. An average of 7 pups is born from each female in April-June. Usually hunting at night, they feed primarily on large mammals by chasing down their victims either slashing tendons or driving it back to waiting pack members. Even though they kill only to survive, studies show that wolves play a key role in drastically decreasing the number of ungulates, sometimes beyond the rate of replacement, in any given area. The wolf's only important predator is man.
TRACKS - This animal generally travels in packs. During the snowy winter months they tend to follow the trail made by the leader to conserve energy. The front foot is larger than the rear and the toes are often splayed particularily in soft ground. The front foot track is rounded with four toes with the claws evident and the heel pad having a inverted V-shape, whereas the rear is slightly more oval with a triangular shaped pad.
Straddle: 16 -18 cm (6.4 - 7.2 in)
Stride: 40 - 46 cm (16 - 18.4 in)
Track: 11 cm (4.4 in) long / 10 cm (4 in) wide
The Wild Wolf's Lullaby
Out West where desert sands are hot By day when winds are dry, And nights are cool and lighted by A sparkling starlit sky. A child, I slept to serenades When desert nights were still, As wolves wept out their mournful songs Up on the moonlit hill. And deep within my growing soul Their music intertwined, To haunt the days I'm living now With years I left behind. My lonely heart yearns for that sound The wild wolf's serenade, The lullaby that filled my dreams When memories are made! |
Out West where desert sands are hot
By day when winds are dry,
And nights are cool and lighted by
A sparkling starlit sky.
A child, I slept to serenades
When desert nights were still,
As wolves wept out their mournful songs
Up on the moonlit hill.
And deep within my growing soul
Their music intertwined,
To haunt the days I'm living now
With years I left behind.
My lonely heart yearns for that sound
The wild wolf's serenade,
The lullaby that filled my dreams
When memories are made!