Wolves are dangerous and ferocious predators that have lived on our planet for over a million years. They are distant ancestors of modern dogs. The tundra wolf is one of many varieties of these animals.
Types of wolves
The genus of wolves includes many animals - jackals, coyotes, dogs (wild and domestic), foxes, arctic foxes and, in fact, wolves, which are considered the most numerous group of predators in their habitat. On the territory of Russia, there are several subspecies of these predators.
Central Russian forest wolf. Known since childhood as a hero of Russian folk tales. This is a fairly large animal, reaching a length of 160 cm and weighing 45 kg. Often come across individuals and 70-80 kg. It lives mainly in the forest, forest-steppe zone of the European part of the country and in Siberia.
Tundra wolf. Its main difference is the light, almost white color of the coat, which makes it possible to disguise itself among the snows of the tundra and forest-tundra, where these animals live.
The steppe wolf is a poorly studied subspecies, famous for its rusty-gray, sometimes even brown color. It is slightly smaller than the Central Russian wolf, andfound mainly in the steppes of the southern regions of Russia.
One of the smallest subspecies of these predators, the Mongolian wolf, lives on the territory of Transbaikalia and Primorsky Krai. Its maximum weight does not exceed 50 kg. The tough and rather coarse coat of this wolf has a dirty gray color with a hint of ocher.
The population of the Caucasian wolf occupies a small area of the foothills of the North Caucasus. These are animals with shorter hair. They are gray in color, but much darker than other types and subspecies of wolves.
Tundra wolf description
The population of these predators in the tundra and forest-tundra is quite numerous. Wolves have a lean body structure and a fairly large size.
Height at the withers is 90-100 cm. They are characterized by a long and dense hairline, characterized by a light, sometimes completely white color. Such wool perfectly protects from the most severe frosts, and also makes the predator less noticeable on white snow. In addition, an excellent sense of smell and sharp eyesight help to survive in the conditions of the Far North, allowing them to successfully hunt. Massive teeth can easily deal with any prey, crushing even strong bones.
Habitats
The main habitat of these predators is the coast of the Arctic Ocean, tundra and forest tundra. The tundra wolf manages to exist in this region for more than one hundred thousand years, despite the harsh climatic conditions, severe frosts, icy winds and snow drifts. Near the ocean, a predator feedscarcasses of seals washed ashore by waves, as well as fish. In areas of the mainland, lemmings, birds, hares, and arctic foxes serve as food for the wolf. It often destroys nests by eating eggs and chicks.
Lifestyle
Like all other varieties of wolves, the tundra wolf is a social animal. In any flock there is a strict hierarchy. As a rule, stronger and more aggressive individuals rule. The way the wolf holds its tail speaks well of the position in the pack. In the leader, it is in an elevated state, and in the members of the pack, who are on a lower level of the hierarchy, the tail is lowered or completely tucked in. Wolves have a very close relationship with their packmates. They communicate with each other in the language of facial expressions and body movements, which helps them to act as one.
The tundra wolf is able to express his feelings with the help of his tail. In an elevated position with a slightly curved tip, it signifies confidence. Friendliness is expressed by the lowered tail, the tip of which points upwards. In an angry state, the wolf holds his ears upright, turning them forward, and bares his teeth. In danger, the ears are laid back and the tongue protrudes slightly when grinning. Members of the pack easily understand by such signs how to behave.
Wolves are not always ferocious. After a hearty dinner, having slept off, they can frolic with pleasure, playing with relatives.
Born Hunters
These animals are born to hunt. The main weapon is powerful and sharp teeth that can gnaw even the femur of a captured deer. tundra wolfhunts absolutely silently. They move almost without touching the heel of the ground. When you have to chase a deer, its speed can develop up to 60 kilometers per hour. The special tread of the wolf, when the hind paw is placed exactly after the front one, allows him to move quickly enough even in the deepest snow. In the process of hunting, the predator determines the location of the prey with the help of the nose, which is able to catch the smell of any animal at a distance of up to two kilometers. Thanks to its keen sense of smell, the wolf can follow its prey on the trail.
In food, these animals are unpretentious - they can eat everything they can catch. Their diet differs at different times of the year. In summer, it is based on hares, birds, beetles, frogs and even plant foods in the form of forest fruits and lichen. In autumn and winter, packs of wolves migrate after reindeer, which often become the prey of these predators. Wolves attack mainly young or weakened animals. He althy and strong deer are able to stand up for themselves. It is difficult for a wolf to resist against horns and powerful hooves.
A wolf can eat up to 14 kilograms of meat at one time. He needs to satisfy his hunger thoroughly, because in search of the next victim, he may have to scour for several days, because only 10% of hunting trips are successful. The leader is the first to start the meal, the rest of the pack members at this time huddle at a distance and patiently wait for their turn until he is sated.
Offspring
Very warm white or light gray fur is notthe only difference between the tundra wolf and the usual forest wolf. The laws of the tundra are very harsh - it is difficult to feed many mouths here, so only the female leader can have offspring in a wolf pack. Puppies from other she-wolves are destroyed immediately at birth. The gestation period for wolves lasts 75 days. Wolf cubs are born blind, usually no more than five in a litter. For a month and a half, they feed on mother's milk and semi-digested meat, which the male regurgitates to them. Not only parents, but also other members of the pack take care of the babies.
After 2-3 months, the wolf cubs are already able to run after the pack, and the family leaves their den. Young wolves stay with their parents for several more years, mastering all the intricacies of hunting, after which they leave and acquire their own packs.
Wolves sometimes cause serious damage to reindeer herding, so hunters often have to regulate their numbers.
