Everybody thinks that wolves are ferocious beasts that kill every living they get their eyes on. Of course, these wild animals are carnivores and it’s not a good idea to try to become friends with them when they are hungry.
However, this doesn’t mean that wolves will attack humans unless they feel threatened or that they will kill living beings unless they need food. In fact, recent studies showed that wolves dwelling in the Northwoods might not be the vicious beasts everyone thinks they are.
A research conducted on wolf packs living in Voyageurs National Park from Northern Minnesota concluded that the animals’ diet is more varied than it ever crossed the scientists’ minds. This includes some strange and previously unknown fishing habits and even wild berries.
Did you ever think that wolves like fresh fish and fruits?
Researchers who were involved in the Voyageur Wolf Project finally have a proof that wolves use freshwater fishing as random food source. A video made public as part of the study’s evidence shows how these animals catch their fish.
Even if deer is the ”main course” from the wolves’ diet, they supplement it with a lot of beavers (almost 42% of their diet consists of this mammal from April until October) and blueberries. This is possible because ”the beasts” are good swimmers; they can cover 2.6 miles in two days.
The findings recently appeared in the Mammalian Biology journal. Modern technology heavily contributed to the amazing discoveries. Researchers placed GPS collars on wolves belonging to seven different packs living inside and around the park. They also used accurate cameras to record the animals’ daily activity and their behaviour during the night.
Data from the wolves’ location was collected every 20 minutes. Their efforts paid through, because now they know more about these predators’ food habits. Scientists are planning to continue research in this area.
Patrick Supernaw is the lead editor for Great Lakes Ledger. Patrick has written for many publications including The Huffington Post and Vanity Fair. Patrick is based in Ottawa and covers issues affecting his city. In addition to his severe hockey addiction, Pat also enjoys kayaking and can often be found paddling the Rideau Canal. Contact Pat here