WOLVES

Wolves are one of the largest members of the dog family. They are excellent hunters and prey mainly on large hoofed animals. Many people fear wolves. People believe they attack humans, but in most cases they try to avoid humans. Wolves are classified in the canidea, genus (canis) family.

Wolves can live almost anywhere except in deserts and in tropical forests. The population of the wolf has disappeared from many areas that they used to thrive in. They used to live in the northern part of the world long ago , but large numbers of people drove them from their homes. However they have adapted very well in other areas. Now they live in parts of the U.S., Canada, and Russia. Smaller groups still live in wilderness areas of Mexico, Spain, India, and Greece.

They live together in packs. The average number in these packs is 8, some have more than 20 though. Wolves who leave the pack are called " lone wolves ", they find a mate and start their own pack with their cubs. Each pack lives in their own territory.

In general humans do not like wolves because they kill animals. Hunters don't like them because they kill game, and farmers don't like them because they kill their livestock for food. Over the years fairytales haven't helped these beliefs. They have misleading plots like wolves eating people. Little Red Riding Hood is a good example of this.

Fear of wolves has lead people to destroy large numbers of them. The U.S. government has classified the wolf as an endangered species.

- K. Fowler

SOURCE - The World Book Encyclopedia, volume 21. World Book Inc., Chicago

1988.