The Wolf "Did you know..." thread

[Dark-Hyena]

Use this thread as a place where you can compile interesting wolf information you've come across.

(NOTE: Make sure you mention the source of your information, be it a book, site or personal experience)

Did you know....

..that unlike dogs and coyotes, wolves lack sweat glands on their paws? This trait has become common in Eastern Canadian coyotes, which are known to be products of wolf-coyote hybridization- Source Dogs: a Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution by Ray Coppinger

...that when tracking prey, wolves rely more on their scent than hyenas do, who primarily use their sight?-Source The Spotted Hyena: A study of predation and social behaviour by Hans Kruuk

..genetic testing has revealed that the Mexican wolf is more closely related to Eurasian wolves than to American ones, indicating a much later migration to the American continent?- Source- Wolves: Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation by L. David Mech and Luigi Boitani

.. with the exception of humans and other wolf packs, tigers are the only predators known to cause localised wolf extinctions? Source- World of the Tiger by Richard Perry

... some wolves have been known to howl back at the calls of owls and loons? Source- Of Wolves and Men by Barry Lopez

... in old Mongolian folk medicine, the intestines of a wolf were said to alleviate chronic indigestion, while sprinkling food with powdered wolf rectum was said to cure haemorroids? Source-In Search of Genghis Khan: An Exhilarating Journey on Horseback Across the Steppes of Mongolia by Tim Severin

... Inuits hold wolf skin in less esteem than dog skin, which they say is more durable to wear and tear? Source Dogs: a Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution by Ray Coppinger

... Native American dogs are believed to have originated from Eurasian wolves? The first people to colonize North America 12,000 to 14,000 years ago brought their dogs with them from Asia, and apparently did not separately domesticate the wolves they found in the New World. Source-http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/SpotlightOnScience/fleischer2003108.cfm

... despite their reputation as habitual bone crushers, Dire wolf teeth lack the craniodental adaptations of habitual bonecrushers such as hyenas and marsupial carnivores? Molars from the skulls of dire wolves found in the La Brea tar pits show wear, indicating possible bone gnawing, though the wear is not to the same extent as that found in the teeth of Borophaginae (an extinct family of hyena-like dogs) Source-Journal of Zoology Volume 269, Part 3, July 2006

[Rinith]

I don't know any books that say this, but its common info... I need to read more

Did you know that dogs lack the scent gland that wolves have at the base of there tail?

[Sharona]

Interesting stuff DH......

I especially like the part about Wolves returning the hoot of Owls with a howl.

Some interesting insight on Wolves feet

"There are five toes on a wolf’s front paws and only four on the rear paws. The fifth on the front is called a dew claw. The dew claw is not for hunting or protection however, it does aid the wolf in digging dens as well as going after small prey animals that live in burrows. In order to walk better in the snow, one wolf will make the initial trail and all other wolves will follow by stepping in the original footprints.
Wolves run on their toes, this lengthens their legs and makes it possible for them to run faster - up to 40 miles per hour, in fact. The gait of a wolf is between 25 and 38 inches."

*Source...WolfSource*
Here's Proof of what those "Dew" claws can dig! LOL.....

Sharona

[Rinith]

I remember that pic lol

[Dark-Hyena]

Did you know.... (info on the commercial value of wolf fur)

...wolf pelts were important to many Native American tribes and considered by some to be powerful medicine? Sacred articles were wrapped in wolf skin and some tribes also wove wolf and American bison hair together in small blankets. Native American hunters used wolf pelts as disguises to allow them stalk close bison herds. Wolf pelts were also valuable as clothing, objects for trade and for ruffs or coats. They were also used in ritual dances and worn by some shamans, or medicine men.-Source; http://www3.cesa10.k12.wi.us/clustera/m ... st/fur.htm

...in medioeval Europe, wolf pelts were usually made into cloaks or mittens, though not without hesitation, due to the wolf's foul odour?-Source; Blood Sport: Hunting in Britain Since 1066 by Emma Griffin

...that recent statistics from CITES indicate that 6,000-7,000 wolf skins are internationally traded each year, with Canada, the former Soviet Union, Mongolia and China being the largest exporters, and the United States and Great Britain being the largest importers?-Source; Wolves: Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation by L.David Mech

...tundra-dwelling wolves are especially valued in the fur trade, as their pelages are more luxuriant than those of forest dwelling wolves, sometimes selling for twice as much?-Source; Of wolves and men by Barry Lopez

...wolves living in warm regions like Mexico, Italy and India are not threatened by the fur trade to the same extent as their more northern cousins who have better quality pelages?-Source; Wolves: Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation by L.David Mech

[SHvar]

China has a bad habit of labeling animal skins of one species another, even if they have to dye them, then sell them as whatever fur is bigger in the market.
On a regular basis under the guise of "preventing a rabies outbreak" or stopping one, the government goes door to door and takes dogs and cats from their owners. These pets are carted off by the truckloads to huge factories where they are slaughtered, skinned, cleaned, tanned, and dyed to make them fit whatever description or species of fur they want to sell them for. Ever notice those winter coats that the teenagers wear more in inner city areas, the coats that have some R and B artists name, or some rap artists name on the label? Those with the "faux fur" ruff on them, or they say racoon fur, or fox, or something else, many of those are dyed dog and cat fur.
These furs also had a big market coming from Europe (some countries in Europe still allow this), teenagers were being paid to steal dogs and cats from their owners then sell them to companies that sold them as whatever fur you wanted, some of them actually marketed them as dog and cat fur though. Several kids were caught in a scam like this, they were stealing Brittish dogs and cats, selling them in France, just a few years ago.

[Dark-Hyena]

That's very interesting SHvar, but as I pointed out in the first post, please provide sources for verification.

Did you know...

...wolves in Russia are reported to carry over 50 types of parasites, including echinococci, cysticercocci, coeruni (all of which can affect humans) and the trichinellidae family?-Source; Wolves in Russia: Anxiety through the ages by Will Farell

...Inuits tend to favour dog skin over wolf skin due to the former's greater resistance to tear?-Source; Dogs: a Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution by Ray Coppinger

...wolf biologist Erik Zimen once attempted to form a sled-dog team composed entirely of pure wolves? The attempt was a disaster, as the wolves were much more fussy of their personal space than huskies, and often broke into fights. Zimen had to go home dragging the sled himself that day.-Source; Dogs: a Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution by Ray Coppinger

...in Alaska, it is illegal to shoot a wolf with a .22-caliber rifle because wolves are classified as big game?
http://www.wolvesgonewild.com/?p=130

...contrary to popular belief, not all Native American tribes were favourable to wolf reintroductions? Although the Naz Perce welcomed the reintroduction of wolves in Idaho, the Apaches of the southwestern US and Kalispells of Washington opposed any reintroduction.-Source; Wolves: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation by L. David Mech

...the first wolf bounty in history was reportedly opened in the year 46, when Solon of Athens offered five silver drachmas to any hunter for killing any male wolf, and one for every female?-Source; Wolves: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation by L. David Mech

...wolf pairs have been confirmed through numerous observations to be more effective big game hunters than packs?-Source; Wolves: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation by L. David Mech

[SHvar]

I really dont want to post the website from the people who deal with the pet skins in Europe (they still have it open). Also the sites with the Chinese fur industry are pretty offensive. You can find more than enough sources to back both up if you so wish to. Dont have much time to post right now.

[Dark-Hyena]

I really dont want to post the website from the people who deal with the pet skins in Europe (they still have it open). Also the sites with the Chinese fur industry are pretty offensive. You can find more than enough sources to back both up if you so wish to. Dont have much time to post right now.

Offensive to whom? Just provide some site names, and leave it to others to decide whether or not they really want to see.

Here's some interesting info, regarding the edibility of wolf meat (I am not joking)

Most Native American tribes, especially the Naskapis, viewed wolf flesh as edible but inadequate nutrition, as it was not a herbivore and thus did not possess the same healing qualities thought to be distinct in plant eaters.-Source: Of wolves and men by Barry Lopez

During the European colonization of Western America, wolf meat was considered "not usually eatable", though fair game for a hungry man. However, Martin Schmitt argued that references to the consumption of wolf meat at the time may have actually been on coyotes.-Source: "Meat's Meat": An Account of the Flesh-Eating Habits of Western Americans by Martin Schmitt

During Vilhjalmur Stefansson's arctic expedition in 1913, George H. Wilkins sampled cooked wolf meat and commented that it was "fine eating" and noted a resemblance to chicken.-Source: http://www.civilization.ca/hist/cae/foo90e.html

According to Indian journalist Maneka Gandhi, wolf meat is a major source of trichinellosis.-Source: http://www.bihartimes.com/Maneka/animalmeateating.html

[GTX]

I don't mind reading those sites at all. As disturbing as they may be, it's good to be in the know about certain issues around the world. I'd say just provide some warning label or something stating that the content may be disturbing to some readers.

[Rinith]

I don't mind reading those sites at all. As disturbing as they may be, it's good to be in the know about certain issues around the world. I'd say just provide some warning label or something stating that the content may be disturbing to some readers.

I would have to agree with that and could not put it in better words... Im looking for some info right now that I think is interesting with a reference

[Sharona]

Actually the China Fur Trade has nothing to do with "Wolf Discussion"
You can find info very easily on the web...Do a search.

Sharona