Differential wolf-pack-size persistence and the role of risk when hunting dangerous prey
In: BehaviourbPresent address: U.S. Geological Survey, 1393 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731, USA
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cPresent address: The Raptor Center, University of Minnesota, 1920 Fitch Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
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Risk to predators hunting dangerous prey is an emerging area of research and could account for possible persistent differences in gray wolf (Canis lupus) pack sizes. We documented significant differences in long-term wolf-pack-size averages and variation in the Superior National Forest (SNF), Denali National Park and Preserve, Yellowstone National Park, and Yukon, Canada (). The SNF differences could be related to the wolves’ risk when hunting primary prey, for those packs () hunting moose (Alces americanus) were significantly larger than those () hunting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (, ). Our data support the hypothesis that differential pack-size persistence may be perpetuated by differences in primary prey riskiness to wolves, and we highlight two important extensions of this idea: (1) the potential for wolves to provision and defend injured packmates from other wolves and (2) the importance of less-risky, buffer prey to pack-size persistence and year-to-year variation.
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Differential wolf-pack-size persistence and the role of risk when hunting dangerous prey
In: BehaviourbPresent address: U.S. Geological Survey, 1393 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731, USA
Search for other papers by Shannon M. Barber-Meyer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
cPresent address: The Raptor Center, University of Minnesota, 1920 Fitch Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
Search for other papers by L. David Mech in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Wesley E. Newton in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Bridget L. Borg in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Risk to predators hunting dangerous prey is an emerging area of research and could account for possible persistent differences in gray wolf (Canis lupus) pack sizes. We documented significant differences in long-term wolf-pack-size averages and variation in the Superior National Forest (SNF), Denali National Park and Preserve, Yellowstone National Park, and Yukon, Canada (). The SNF differences could be related to the wolves’ risk when hunting primary prey, for those packs () hunting moose (Alces americanus) were significantly larger than those () hunting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (, ). Our data support the hypothesis that differential pack-size persistence may be perpetuated by differences in primary prey riskiness to wolves, and we highlight two important extensions of this idea: (1) the potential for wolves to provision and defend injured packmates from other wolves and (2) the importance of less-risky, buffer prey to pack-size persistence and year-to-year variation.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 1684 | 154 | 3 |
| Full Text Views | 350 | 10 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 314 | 19 | 0 |
