Critter Guide :: Mammals :: Wolf The gray wolf is one of the vanishing icons of North America. Just 150 years ago, gray wolves were a frequent sight on the American plains. Lewis and Clark wrote of seeing packs of wolves hunting giant herds of buffalo. Unfortunately, ranchers and settlers were afraid wolves would prey on their livestock and game. Every state began killing wolves and even the federal government contributed to their elimination. Today, gray wolves are an endangered species. Where do they live? Due to habitat destruction, environmental change, persecution by humans, and other barriers, gray wolf populations are now found only in a few areas of the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Wolves are found in the arctic tundra, forests, and prairies. What do they eat? Gray wolves are carnivores and will eat carrion, moose, elk, bison, reindeer, beaver, and rabbit. Social Environment Gray wolves are highly social, pack-living animals. Most packs have between five and nine members and are composed of an alpha pair and their offspring. Unrelated wolves may also become pack members. Vocalization allows pack members to communicate their location to each other, to assemble for group hunts, and to advertise territories to other packs. Critter Fact Wolves are rarely aggressive towards people. Wolves are actually shy around people and will choose to run away, even when humans search their dens for young. Did You Know? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has changed the wolf's status from "endangered" to "threatened" in the lower 48 states. Many opponents of the change in status believe this is allowing many western states to wage a war on wolves -- just as they were beginning to make a comeback. Related Episodes Land of the Falling Lakes http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/fallinglakes/

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