Wolves are symbols of beauty and strength, representing both good and evil. In Norse mythology, wolves are considered deities that nurtured Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. Wolves were also the first animals to be domesticated by humans. However, there are many fascinating aspects of wolves that humans have yet to discover.
1. Black Wolves
The most common fur colors of wolves are white and gray; however, a few have a very special black coat. This color is not a natural trait. A 2008 study by Stanford University revealed that a special gene determining black fur occurs only in dogs, suggesting that black wolves are likely a result of hybridization. The gene responsible for the black fur is a dominant gene, which is passed down to most offspring. Although black wolves may not be exceptional hunters, they possess a better immune system. Black wolves are predominantly found in the frigid regions of North America.
2. Hybrid Wolf Population
It appears that purebred wolves are quite rare today, with the hybrid wolf population growing due to environmental conditions. Over the years, a population has migrated east, shrinking the natural habitat of wolves and resulting in many hybrid wolf breeds that make up a significant percentage of the population. Hybrid wolves are generally smaller than purebred wolves and are extremely intelligent, capable of adapting to urban or residential areas. Part of this is due to hunting in natural habitats, which has significantly reduced the numbers of purebred wolves.
3. Cannibalism
Cannibalism is relatively common in the wolf world. Living in extremely harsh environments, often in cold regions with scarce food sources, and competing with various other carnivores, wolves are sometimes forced to eat injured or sick members of their pack. When two wolf packs compete for territory, fierce confrontations often occur, and the defeated pack may become prey for the victors. It is a harsh reality that sometimes they are compelled to consume their own offspring.
4. Weight
We often picture wolves as agile and nimble creatures, but some species can weigh close to 100 kg. Tropical wolves tend to be smaller, comparable to medium-sized dogs. However, as you move north (to Alaska, Canada, and Russia), their size increases. The largest wolf ever killed in North America (Alaska) in 1939 weighed nearly 90 kg. Typically, these are the alpha wolves, as they are always provided with enough food by other pack members.
5. Rabies and Madness
Unlike many animals that become lethargic and disoriented when infected with rabies, wolves become extremely dangerous. They seem to immediately go into a frenzy and can attack any living creature around them, including larger animals. Most wolf attacks on humans occur because they are rabid, although this situation has decreased in recent years. While there are treatments for those bitten by rabid animals, wolves tend to attack and bite the neck and head of their victims, making most cases very dangerous. Generally, wolves prefer to avoid larger animals.
6. American Wolves are Quite Gentle
In fact, wolves in America are quite gentle and less prone to attack humans compared to other areas, with very few reports of wolf attacks on humans in the U.S. and Canada. In contrast, Europe and Asia see a different story. Historical records indicate that over 3,000 people were killed by wolf attacks in France between the 1600s and 1800s. The wolves in India and Russia are particularly notorious for their brutality and ferocity. During World War I, Allied forces struggled against attacks from starving wolf packs attracted by the scent of blood.
7. Wolf Territories Vary in Size Depending on Prey Availability
Their territory can range from as little as twenty to hundreds of square miles, depending on the availability of prey. The unified howl of the entire pack serves as a warning to other wolves to stay away from that area.
8. Humans Were Once a Main Dish on Their Menu
During the Middle Ages, a plague outbreak in Europe led to thousands of deaths. Bodies were often piled up for burial or incineration, naturally attracting wolves. During this time, the main food source for wolves became the corpses left by the pandemic. Gradually, they became accustomed to this new flavor, and humans became a staple on the wolves’ menu. Incidents of wolf attacks on humans surged dramatically, leading to the proliferation of werewolf tales among gullible people.
9. Smallpox
Similar to Europe, smallpox in America inadvertently turned wolves into fearsome enemies of humans. During this period, wolves frequently attacked human settlements, especially tribal areas. Infected individuals became easy prey for wolves, leading to more aggressive attacks on human communities, and they became a nightmare for humanity at that time. Normally, wolves would hide in secluded areas, distant from human populations.
10. Picky Eaters
Wolves can eat anything to survive, including long-dead animals. However, in favorable living conditions and during food-rich seasons, wolves become quite selective. They typically prefer large ungulates like deer and elk and will only eat when the kill is still fresh. If they do not eat all the food they have obtained, they will leave it behind without storing it for later.
11. Dogs are Wolves’ Favorite Prey
It is quite surprising that these two species share a common ancestry, and moreover, they are willing to interbreed; however, some wolves consider dogs as their favorite prey. Even large dogs that stray into wolf territory become tasty meals. A small wolf can easily overpower a large dog due to its sharp teeth and lethal bites to the neck. In Russia, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, many unfortunate dog carcasses were discovered, having fallen prey to wolves.
