Ongoing Yellowstone Wolf Study Discovers Key Traits In Wolf Packs That Boosts Amount of Surviving Pups

A new ongoing wolf study in Yellowstone National Park has recently revealed a natural trait in wolf packs  that allows for more pups to survive to adulthood. The studies show that a mother wolf's body weight along with pack size are key factors that govern wolf reproduction. Researchers from Utah State University used 14 years of data from an extensive study of wolves in Yellowstone and concluded that the size and overall health of a pack contribute to more pups surviving to maturity. Logically, it makes sense: a larger pack is more capable of protecting otherwise defenseless pups, and larger, healthier moms make for bigger litters.

       Wolves are highly social animals that hunt and live in packs. They are known for their complicated "pecking order" in packs and have various ways of communicating with each other, including body language and howling over long distances. Lower-ranking wolves often are last to eat, the Alpha pair having almost complete control of a pack and sometimes drive out lower ranking wolves, who soon become lone wolves. But humans just have to come along and ruin everything, don't they? Wolves are under threat from hunting for sport or because farmers fear for cattle or even themselves. While wolves are protected in some states, others often have large periods of hunting where wolves are shot or trapped ruthlessly. But we can still save them. After all, they live basically in the backyards of western America...

 

-PJ

 

 

Source & photo: Standard-Examiner