What Are the Gray Wolf's Supporting Animals?

Gray wolves are often in competition with large animals like bears for food and shelter. While this competition is a natural part of an ecosystem, there are also plenty of animals that support packs of gray wolves. These animals provide the necessary food to keep packs of wolves strong and even provide young wolves with the hunting training they need.

  1. Elk, Moose and Large Prey

    • Some of the largest prey that gray wolves will eat is elk and moose. Gray wolves will isolate one of these animals from the rest of their pack and set an ambush to make it possible for them to catch a large amount of food as a group. Once a large animal is caught, wolves do not eat in moderation. A gray wolf can eat up to 20 lbs. in one sitting. The leader of the pack will always get to eat first, then feeding occurs from strongest to weakest.

    Deer and Caribou

    • Deer and caribou are two of the larger animals that will support a pack of gray wolves. A pack of gray wolves will normally try to isolate the old and weak prey to create an easy meal. Wolves help provide population control by naturally limiting the population of these animals. This helps make sure an area can support a certain amount of wildlife. By eliminating the weak and old animals, wolves also help create stronger packs of other animals.

    Small Rodents

    • Small rodents are animals that support young gray wolves. Young gray wolves must learn to hunt to be an important member of a pack, and they will start by learning to hunt small rodents. Small rodents are rarely eaten by young pups except in hard times. Rather, young wolves rely on older adults to regurgitate their catches allowing them to feed. Young wolves can also feed on any meat that is brought back to a den by older wolves.

    Small Mammals and Other Animals

    • Adult gray wolf packs are always going to want to feed on large animals. When large animals are not available, or they are not able to find a weak large animal to isolate and feed on, wolves will eat smaller animals. Birds, fish, beaver, mice, rabbits and muskrats are all examples of small animals that will support a gray wolf's diet. Wolves that are not hunting in packs due to a large food supply will often hunt these smaller animals that are easier to handle.