Thread: Animal Spirits
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Old Feb 08, 2008, 12:02 AM
nowheretorun nowheretorun is offline
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liked this article .. here's an excerpt and a link regarding wolf intelligence...

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Wolves often have a rally before the hunt, where they play and howl and get really exited. This seems to wake them up and get them mentally ready for the hunt. Wolves detect their prey by scent, sound and sight. They often watch a herd and look for weak, old, sick, or young animals. They also can detect them by scent, smelling for their prey's urine or feces. If an animal is injured, the wolves can smell the signs of infection on the animal, and know that it is easy prey. Once the desired prey is located, they split up into smaller subgroups and surround their prey. They stalk from a distance, and when they get within a certain distance, depending on cover, they will sprint at speeds of up to 35 mph over short distances. If their desired prey is very large, like a moose, they will test it to determine if they can kill the animal successfully. They attack large prey by surrounding the animal and attacking the rump. The animal may not be so easy to kill. It will try to defend itself by kicking and digging its horns at the wolves. The wolves' best hope is if they can get the animal to flee. Sometimes during a chase, they get lucky and their desired quarry breaks a leg, making it easier for them to kill it. If it does not outrun the wolves or prove otherwise that it is unfit to kill, it will eventually tire out after a long time. If the animal is already sick, this won't be too long. It may collapse from exhaustion, be taken down by the wolves, die from blood loss, or even die from shock. The alpha pair will eat first. The best parts, the liver and other entrails, are eaten first, as these have the most nutrients. After a pack is done eating, little is left of the carcass except the hooves, horns, and a few large bones. Everything is eaten. if there is anything left over, the wolves will return later to finish eating what is left. But usually, foxes, coyotes, vultures and insects finish up the carcass. Wolves are usually not successful; only one in twenty hunting attempts end up successfully. Smaller prey, such as rabbits, mice, and voles, is taken individually, and are killed by severing the backbone.

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http://www.lioncrusher.com/animal.as...=35&amp;page=2