Diet of a Wolf

Wolves are one of the most widely distributed mammals, living in such diverse climates as forests, deserts and tundra. In spite of their different habitats, all wolves are carnivores that prey on larger animals. Wolves' prey tend to be large, wild, grazing mammals. However, humans have destroyed much of wolves' natural habitat, as well as killing many animals wolves would normally eat. As a result, wolves have needed to adapt their diet to available food sources.

  1. Large Herbivores

    • If large herbivores such as elk, deer, moose, and bison are available, a wolf will hunt them. Wolves need a certain amount of protein in their diets on a daily basis, and killing large prey is an efficient way to obtain this protein. Stronger, healthier members of an elk, deer, moose, or bison herd are preferable to a wolf, but more difficult to catch. Weaker and younger members of the herd are easier to kill.

    Smaller Animals

    • Wolves do not limit themselves to preying on large animals. They are opportunistic predators, meaning that they will prey on whatever animal they can find. Rabbits, squirrels and beavers are ready prey for a wolf, but they cannot completely substitute the protein provided by a larger prey. Because humans have killed off many of the wild grazing animals which make up a wolf's diet, wolves have been forced to hunt smaller, less filling prey in order to survive.

    Fish

    • Although wolves are not very good at fishing, fish can be an important supplement to their diets. In Alaska, biologists have repeatedly observed wolves catching salmon in shallow waters. Salmon and other fish are especially helpful to wolf pups. As the youngest members of the pack, pups get whatever meat is left over from a hunt. Eating fish is a good way to supplement their diets and ensure survival.

    Plants

    • Wolves are built for eating meat. Their teeth are sharp and pointy, making them perfect for clawing into a piece of meat. Wolves' stomachs digest meat better than any other food source. However, on occasion, wolves will eat plants and berries. Plants do not make up a substantial part of wolves' diets, but they can be a useful dietary supplement. Eating grass causes wolves to vomit, ridding their systems of indigestible food.

    Humans

    • Humans are not a normal part of a wolf's diet. Healthy wolves attacking humans for food are rare. Wolves in the wild are not exposed to humans very often, and will usually go out of their way to avoid them. However, when a wolf's food source has been depleted, humans in a wolf's habitat become fair game. Also, when humans become a familiar part of a wolf's habitat, wolves will begin to view humans as prey.