Category: Mammals
This species of canid is also known as the timber wolf or western wolf. They are native to wild and remote areas of North America, Eurasia, and northern, eastern, and western Africa. They are the largest member of the canidae family and specialized for taking down large prey. Gray wolves are highly social animals, with complex hierarchical pack structure. Despite the fear of wolves that pervades many human societies, attacks on humans are very rare and most wolves have an instinctive fear of humans.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_wolf
Wake me in 9 months…
There may be times when you are so tired you feel as if you could sleep for several days - but of course that is not possible without dying from dehydration. However, some mammals have such fine control over their metabolisms, they are capable of nodding off for days or even months, in a state called hibernation. This helps an animal survive during cold periods when food is scarce. A prime example is the alpine marmot who can hibernate for up to 9 months of the year: gathering food and adding about 50% more body weight (primarily fat) as summer ends, the alpine marmot seals itself in a deep burrow, heart rate slowing to five beats per minute, breathing as little as once per minute - emerging (far lighter!) in May, when food is once again available!
Learn more >>
Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
