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THE GREY WOLF
The Grey Wolf is the largest of the world's
wolves. It is found in Europe, Asia and North America.
It varies a great deal in size and coloration. The largest
wolves are found in North American forests and the smallest
tend to occur in the desert areas.
Grey wolves live in packs and usually
only the dominant male and female breed. The breeding
season is usually around February and March although
it is later further in northern climes and earlier in
the south. The cubs are born 63 days later in a den,
which is usually a hole in the ground. The cubs leave
the den after about a month to join the pack and are
cared for by the whole family. When the pack goes off
to hunt one of the subordinate wolves will stay with
them to babysit.
Wolves are shy but intelligent animals
with a complex social structure. The lead female and
male in a pack share a strong bond and during the mating
season can be have in a very affectionate manner, rubbing
themselves together and sleeping cuddled together.
The wolf is a very much maligned animal.
No documented case of one killing a human is known and
the "Red Riding hood" story has only helped
to propagate the myth of the killer wolf. Scientists
now know by studying genetics that dogs and wolves are
almost identical in their genes. People are quite content
to let their children play with dogs which have lost
their fear of man and yet remain terrified of the wilder
and shyer animal, the beautiful wolf. It can only be
hoped that more people will learn the truth about this
majestic animal.
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