Wolves Chasing Elk

Title

Wolves Chasing Elk

Artist

Wildlife Fine Art

Medium

Photograph - Prints / Licensing

Description

The 2015 Yellowstone winter survey counted more than 1,130 elk inside the park and more than 3,700 in adjacent areas of Montana total of 4,844 elk. Current wolf counts on the herds range have dropped by roughly half in recent years, from 94 to 42 of the predators. Park biologists said the decline suggests wolves could be beginning to respond to fewer elk. Balance is a simple theory with the complexity we know exists in the natural world. Wolves will travel for long distances by trotting at about five miles per hour. They can run at speeds of 36 to 38 miles per hour for short bursts while chasing prey. Although bursts of maximum speed are relatively short, wolves can maintain pursuit of running prey animals for long distances and over rough terrain. An elk top speed is 45 maxium on average. The elk, or wapiti (Cervus canadensis), is one of the largest species of deer in the world and one of the largest mammals in North America. Elk are the preferred prey of wolves in Yellowstone. They chase their prey, often over longer distances, sometimes even a few miles, in order to find the right animal or opportunity. It is not uncommon for wolves to be injured or even killed during the hunt by being kicked by a hoof or gored by an antler. The alpha female and male are typically the pack leaders that track and hunt prey, choose den sites and establish the pack's territory. Wolves develop strong social bonds within their packs.

Uploaded

January 3rd, 2016

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Viewed 591 Times  -  Last Visitor from Mountain View, CA on 04/19/2024 at 7:08 PM

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