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BIG BAD WOLF, MY ASS: Info on the Red Wolf |
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Specific red wolf related links: Red
Wolves were Texas wolves, betcha didn't know that? Wolf.org
Photo credit: International Wolf Center. April 2003. <www.wolf.org> |
The Red Wolf :: Big Red technical-schmecknical name: Canis rufus territory: Red wolves are more endangered than Grey wolves are. Once living in Texas and other eastern states, the Red wolf was virtually extinct in 1980. Since then, breeding attempts to revitalize them have brought them back in small colonies, but red wolves are now only found in captivity. Attempts to release red wolves back into the wild are occurring, but their success depends solely on humans. Can humans leave anything alone? No, no we can't. It's our nature to prod at everything we see, and we'd rather have something in our possession than know that it's free. Don't deny it, you know it's true. People kill or capture anything in their way. ANYWAY. Where was I? Oh yeah. Red wolves, like greys, have a set territory that they establish, live in, and protect from outsiders. hunting: Unlike grey wolves, they prey primarily on small animals: rodents, rabbits, raccoons. They also hunt deer and will eat roadkill. (and other assorted forms of carrion.) hehe. Red wolves hunt in specific areas for a certain amount of time, and then relocate to a different area, making them very much nomadic. reproduction: Interestingly, red wolves' breeding season starts in January and lasts until March/April. Red wolf litters can be larger than grey wolves', with up to 12 puppies but usual litters averaging 3-6. The howl of a red wolf is distinguishable from the grey wolf's, as well. If I was a wolf, I'd have a low-pitched howl. And I'd boss the other wolves around. They wouldn't mess with me. Just like you idiots shouldn't. physical characteristics: Red wolves are smaller than Grey wolves, and kind of resemble overgrown coyotes. They can range in weight from 40-90 lbs. They have tawny, reddish-colored fur, slender bodies, and long legs. the pack: The red wolf lives in a much smaller family group than the grey wolf, usually consisting only of two individuals (a male and a female), and their young. Though pairs are the norm, sometimes packs can hold up to five wolves, usually just the original pair and their semi-grown young, or else two pairs hunting together. Sadly, some people are debating whether red wolf conservation should even bother to be continued. Now why the hell would they debate that? Easy, because all wild red wolves are "impure", meaning they have bred with the more populous coyote and all have a little bit of coyote blood coursing through their veins. Since finding other red wolves was next to impossible, the survivors were horny and found the next closest thing. Unfortunately, it means that most red wolves all have a little bit of coyote in them. Still...shouldn't they be saved even if they're mixed with spider monkey?!
Heh heh. Monkey wolves. Ooh- ahh- eee - oooOOOOoO! |
