Gray Wolf: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Wolves and Foxes · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. Wolves don't howl at the Moon, whatever the stories say, and the Moon's phases don't change how they howl.
2. In the right conditions, one wolf's howl can carry across an area of up to 130 km2.
3. Wolves pick out the most vulnerable animals among large prey. A pack of 15 can take down an adult moose.
4. Wolves leaving their birth pack can roam far. Some have travelled 206 km, 390 km and even 670 km away.
5. For the first few weeks, a mother wolf stays in the den while the father brings food. The pups first step outside at three weeks.

The quiz

1. What is true about wolves and the Moon?

• They howl at every full moon
• They do not howl at it (correct)
• They howl only at a new moon
• They howl only when it rises

Wolves do not howl at the Moon, despite popular belief.

2. How large an area can a wolf's howl cover?

• Up to 13 km2
• Up to 30 km2
• Up to 1,300 km2
• Up to 130 km2 (correct)

Under certain conditions howls can be heard over up to 130 km2.

3. What can a pack of 15 wolves bring down?

• An adult moose (correct)
• A full-grown elephant
• A blue whale
• A polar bear

A pack of 15 is able to bring down an adult moose.

4. What is the farthest distance listed for wolves leaving their birth packs?

• 206 km
• 390 km
• 670 km (correct)
• 67 km

Some dispersing wolves have travelled upwards of 670 km.

5. Who brings food to a mother wolf in the den?

• Humans
• Neighbouring packs
• No one
• The father (correct)

The father brings food while the mother stays in the den.

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