Diets for Canadian Wolves

The gray wolf, or timber wolf, is Canada's predominant species of wolf. Populations stretch from Quebec to British Columbia, with the exception of the prairies. These wolves stand at approximately 2.5 feet with bodies about 5 feet in length. Gray wolves, like maned and red wolves, choose their mates for life. They are a carnivorous species that consumes large herbivores, small rodents, carrion and livestock.

  1. Large Herbivores

    • The Canadian wilderness is abundant with large herbivores that make up the bulk of the gray wolf's diet. They prey chiefly on deer, moose, caribou, elk and bison as their main source of food. Gray wolves hunt in packs, which makes it easier for these relatively small predators to catch such large prey. However, wolves must work very hard for their food. Studies have shown that for every large mammal chased, wolves only catch one out of 10. In the summer, wolves hunt newborn moose and fawns because they are easier to catch.

    Small Rodents

    • Wolves eat almost any animal as a source of food. Small rodents and rabbits are easier sources of food because they do not require as much strength to bring down. Unfortunately, during the winter months a wolf pack cannot sustain itself only on small rodents. In the summer months, when wolves travel alone or with their mates, small rodents are a main source of food. Gray wolves help to maintain a balance in the ecosystem and declining wolf populations has led to an abundance of small rodents and other animals.

    Carrion

    • Wolves prefer to hunt and kill their own food, but when times are tough and food is scarce they will result to eating carrion. Starving wolves have been known to feast off the remains of a dead carcass, but only for survival purposes. Because the Canadian wilderness is abundant with wildlife, and even farm animals, healthy wolves rarely resort to this method of feeding.

    Livestock

    • Much to the dismay of Canadian farmers, gray wolves enjoy hunting and eating livestock such as cows and horses. The Canadian government has been working with farmers to reduce the amount of livestock predation, especially in Alberta's cattle country. Groups have emerged to help research and solve the problem of livestock predation. These groups include the Oldman Basin Carnivore Advisory Group and the Alberta EcoTrust Foundation.