* Food Sources: Gray wolves are apex predators, and their main food source is large ungulates (hoofed mammals). These animals are more abundant in forested and mountainous areas, where they find cover and resources. Grasslands, while supporting some prey animals, lack the same abundance of large prey that wolves need to survive.
* Shelter and Cover: Forests and mountainous regions offer dense vegetation and rocky terrain, providing wolves with shelter from predators and the elements. Grasslands offer less cover and are more exposed, making them less ideal habitats for wolves.
* Social Structure: Wolves are social animals that live in packs. Forests and mountains provide suitable territories for these packs to roam and hunt, while grasslands offer less territory and are more exposed to other packs.
However, there are exceptions. Some gray wolf populations can be found in areas with grasslands, but these are usually transition zones between grasslands and other habitats. This allows them to access resources from both environments.
In summary, while there may be some wolves in areas with grasslands, their preferred habitats are forests, tundra, and mountainous regions due to their food sources, shelter, and social structure.