Migration patterns of the gray wolf

The gray wolf is the largest member of the Canidae^[1] family. It shares a common ancestry with the domestic dog. Although called the gray wolf, it can also be found having more of a white, black, or red coloring to it. They stand roughly 2 to 2.8 feet (0.61 to 0.85 m) tall, and their frame runs from 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m) long. The male gray wolf usually weighs around 90 pounds, and the female of the species weighs about 80 pounds^[2]. They are found mostly in temperate forests, deserts, mountains, tundra, and grasslands.

Migration

Gray wolves, by nature, are not migratory animals. They naturally do not stray farther than 70 miles (110 km) from their natal territory (males stray no farther than 70 miles, females no farther than 48 miles (77 km) ^[3]). If a gray wolf does indeed stray farther than 70 miles, its purpose is usually to establish new territory, or join a new pack. They do, however, follow the migration patterns of their prey^[4].

Habitat

The gray wolf is one of the most widely distributed animals on earth. Its habitat today includes some of the northern, central states of the United States, Alaska, Canada, Asia, and parts of Europe and the Middle East. Gray wolves are very territorial animals, and primarily occupy woodland areas^[5]. The gray wolf usually does not venture outside its pack’s territory unless food sources are extremely scarce in order to avoid conflicts with other wolf packs. The territory of the gray wolf has been reduced significantly due to the destruction of its habitat, human impact, and diminished food source. However, it is still classified as being among animals of least concern for extinction when looking at gray wolf populations as a whole. Behaviorally, gray wolves do not commonly migrate in large numbers, except when their territory gets destroyed or their food source migrates, in which case they will follow it.

Population

Another reason for the so called “migration” of the gray wolf is population control. If the wolf population in a particular area increases, due to reproduction, some young wolves may decide to branch out on their own ^[6]. When they do leave their territory in search of new grounds, they generally follow previous routes of travel. For example, when traveling to find new territory, gray wolves may travel a path they took while following caribou on migration. Whether this is learned, or simply instinct, is unknown.

Conclusion

Although the gray wolf is not a migratory animal, it has been shown that when they travel (following food, due to population, etc.) they do follow the same routes. They generally only stray from their territory in search of food, or if the population becomes too large.

1. ^ Wikipedia. "Gray Wolf." Wikipedia. 2 November 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_wolf>.
2. ^ Wildlife Trust. "Gray Wolf." The Wild Ones Animal Index. 6 November 2009 <www.thewildones.org/Animals/grayWolf.html >.
3. ^ The Science Behind Algonquin's Animals. "Factors limiting population growth of wolves in Algonquin Park." Eastern Wolf; Research in Algonquin Provincial Park. 2 November 2009 <http://sbaa.ca/projects.asp?cn=314>.
4. ^ mt.gov. "mt.gov." Montana's Official Website. 2 November 2009 <http://fwp.mt.gov/fieldguide/detail_AMAJA01030.aspx>.
5. ^ Eli Geffen, Marti J. Anderson, Robert K. Wayne. "Climate and Habitat Barriers to Dispersal in the Highly Mobile Gray Wolf." Molecular Ecology (2004): 2481 - 2490.
6. ^ Conservation Management Institute. Taxonomy. 2 November 2009 <http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/WWW/esis/lists/e059001.htm>.