By Obiabin Onukwugha
The wolf, also known as the gray wolf or grey wolf, is a large canine native to Eurasia and North America.
The wolf is the largest extant member of the family Canidae, and is further distinguished from other Canis species by its less pointed ears and muzzle, as well as a shorter torso and a longer tail.
Wolves are highly intelligent animals. They are extremely social and develop close bonds with family members and their pack. In fact, gray wolves in the wild often show significant displays of affection and other emotions with each other.
It is said that once a wolf has found a mate, they tend to stay together for better or worse, through sickness and health, often until death do them part. But it is typically only the alpha male and female that breed, leaving the rest of the adult pack members to help rear the young and ensure their survival.
Wolves develop such strong social bonds with their family and other loved ones that they have been known to sacrifice themselves for the survival of the pack/family unit.
Perhaps the most well-known characteristic of the gray wolf is its penetrating, hauntingly beautiful howl. This is a primary communication tool, both between lone wolves and their packs, as well as between packs.
Wolves are ultra-marathon endurance hunters. They have been known to track and trace their prey for hours, well into the night. And they have the added bonus of a high IQ and excellent sense of hearing and smell, all of which they put to good use in rounding up their next meal.
Researchers say wolves can eat a huge amount as much as 9 kg, in one sitting. Thus the saying, “wolf it down.”
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The alpha male is first to eat and will devour the most meat out of the pack, followed by other pack members and/or other scavengers.
Wolves primarily prey on elk, deer, moose, and other ungulates, although they also feed on smaller species such as beaver, mice, squirrels, rabbits, muskrats, marmots, grouse, and even songbirds.
Igbos call it “Agụ owulu”, Hausas call it “kerkeci”, and Yorubas call it “ìkookò.”
Breeding in wolves occur between February and April, and a litter of usually five or six pups are born in the spring after a gestation period of about two months.
They can live up to 13 years in the wild, but most die long before that age due to diseases and other factors.
Scientists indicate that diseases and parasites that affect wolves include; canine parvovirus, distemper, rabies, blastomycosis, Lyme disease, lice, mange, and heartworm.
In most areas of the world, humans are the leading cause of death for wolves. Also, in areas of high wolf density and declining prey populations, the major causes of death are killing by other wolves and starvation.
They improve habitat and increase populations of countless species from birds of prey to pronghorn, and even trout. The presence of wolves influences the population and behavior of their prey, changing the browsing and foraging patterns of prey animals and how they move about the land.
The wolf holds great importance in the cultures and religions of many nomadic peoples, such as those of the Eurasian steppe and North American Plains.
Wolves have sometimes been associated with witchcraft in both northern European and some Native American cultures: in Norse folklore, the völva Hyndla and the gýgr Hyrrokin are both portrayed as using wolves as mounts, while in Navajo culture, wolves have sometimes been interpreted as witches in wolf’s clothing.
