You are here:
Wild Animals/Wolves
Advertisement
Question
Hello, I am interested in learning more about wolves. I am curious what they eat in the wild? As in do they eat only meat or do they also eat some type of grain? What type of meat and/or grain? Also, for wolves in captivity what are they feed? Do they eat meat (what kind) and any grains (if so what kind)? I really have no reason for my questions. I have always loved wolves and am curious what they eat. They obviously eat meat but how much and what are typical types. I am really curious if they eat any type of grains or vegies. Also, in captivity wolves seem to live longer, why is this? Do Zoos feed something different to the wolves to give them longer life or is it because they do not die from wounds or fights or perils of the wild? Thanks for your help.
Dear Rachel
Wolves can eat various food items, including meat and vegetation. If they hunt in a pack, they will be able to kill larger prey, but this will be shared out among the pack members. Individual wolves can usually only kill smaller prey items, but they can always supplement their diet with vegetation.
The following websites give information about the various food items eaten by wolves: http://www.wolfcountry.net/information/WolfPrey.html http://www.wolfweb.com/diet.html, http://www.freewebs.com/alphawolfsabrina/thewolfsdiet.htm and http://www.lioncrusher.com/animal.asp?animal=35&page=3
Zoos vary in the kind of food they give to wolves. A good zoo will do frequent medical checks on each wolf and ensure that their diet contains the correct medicines to help them. In the wild, wolves may find it hard to obtain food, especially in harsh winter conditions. There is also competition between different pack members, with some subordinate wolves getting a poorer diet. The zoo is usually an artificial environment and keepers and other staff can look after sickly or wounded wolves and help them recover, perhaps in a zoo hospital. In the wild, there would be more risk to a sickly wolf and its chances of survival would be lower.
The following sites give details about the diets of captive wolves: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/NorthAmerica/Facts/fact-graywolf.cfm and http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/pagegen/htm/fix/fg/fg_body.asp?sAnimal=Mexican+gray... I suspect that other zoos have a similar diet for wolves.
All the best
Jonathan
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks for your help. The websites has alot of info. Thanks for sending the link. | ||
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Jonathan Wright
Expertise
I can answer questions about wild mammals and other animals, as well as extinct animals and zoos. I am not an expert about every animal species. I can look up information from books and the internet, but can't verify if all the information is true. Please don't ask questions about: 1. Pets. I am not a vet. Please contact a vet if your pet is ill. You may need to spend some money if you want your pet to live. Don't get a pet if you don't know how to look after it and if you can't provide it with the space, food and possible companions that will help it live a healthy life. Don't take animals from the wild, unless they are ill and/or injured and you can protect them until a wildlife charity can help. It is cruel to take animals from their parents, especially if the parents will look for the babies, while putting their other babies at risk. You may be breaking the law by keeping wild animals or you may need a licence to look after some species. Please check with a local wildlife group. 2. Eggs: Please don't remove eggs from nests. The mother birds provide the right temperature for the eggs and won't sit on them if the temperature is warm enough for them to develop naturally. It is illegal to remove eggs of some species and, unless you have an incubator or a broody hen, the egg may not develop. If you are allowed to touch the eggs, you can candle them to see if they are fertile. If theys aren't fertile, they won't hatch. 3. Fights: Please don't ask about fights between different animals. These questions assume that individuals of two species fight each time they meet and that one species will always be victorious over another. This is untrue. There are cases where a live mouse has been fed to a venomous snake, bitten the snake leading to the snake's demise. 4: Diseases: Please ask doctors or other medical experts about diseases that you may catch from animals. I can't advise on how to deal with viruses, bacteria etc.
Experience
I have a zoology degree and have been interested in animals since I was two. I am a zoo volunteer at London Zoo. I have appeared on a BBC Radio Quiz, 'Wildbrain'.
Organizations
WWF. ZSL. Natural History Museum. RSPB. London Bat Group.
Publications
Newsletters of London Zoo volunteers and the London Bat Group
Education/Credentials
BSC degree in Zoology. 'A' level in Zoology. 'O' Level in Biology.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.