Conversely, if too many factors seem to favor the prey, they may choose to wait. Initially they may be pursuing a calf, but if a big healthy bull stumbles unexpectedly, they all know to go after the bigger meal. In warm weather, this same pack of wolves changes its tactics, herding the caribou into a dry riverbed where many of the ungulates stumble on the round stones.Ī wolf pack therefore weighs many different factors when selecting its target and, as circumstances change during the hunt the target may change as well. When the rearmost caribou spooks, leaving the hard trail and attempting to run to the middle of the herd, it founders in the snowdrifts. The wolves know that their mere presence, following close behind, will eventually panic the caribou. Gordon Haber speaks of a particular pack in Alaska that he observed following a herd of caribou on a narrow packed trail through deep snow. Wolves have learned to use these conditions to their advantage. An experienced wolf is well aware that hoofed animals break through the crust and can become bogged down in deep snow. On the other hand, crusty snow or ice favors the wolves whose wide round paws have evolved to perform like snowshoes and carry them effortlessly over the surface. For example, a wide-open plain favors the ungulates, who, if full-grown and healthy, can outrun the fastest wolf. Wolves must also factor in other conditions that will affect the hunt weather and terrain can tip the scales in favor of predator or prey. During this time, they are already hunting, assessing the herd, looking for an animal that displays any sign of weakness, and this is just the beginning. A wolf pack may trail a herd of elk, caribou or other large prey for days before making its move. It is during a hunt where co-operation between wolves within a pack is most apparent. This is an ancient evolutionary success story shared by both predator and prey. Over time this process allows the most capable prey animals to survive and pass on their genes and it helps to limit the spread of diseases within the herd. But even healthier animals can at times find themselves in a vulnerable position. They may be injured, sick, old, very young or genetically inferior. Most often the prey they select is in some way weaker and/or more vulnerable than the other animals in the herd. It is not uncommon for wolves to be injured or even killed during the hunt by being kicked by a hoof or gored by an antler. While most often that is elk, caribou, deer and moose, it can also be bison, muskoxen, dall sheep or even salmon. Individual packs will specialize in hunting specific prey species. While wolves will eat hares and other small prey, their preferred targets are ungulates, large hoofed animals such as deer and elk. On the hunt, wolves work together with certain individuals typically carrying out their specific role in the hunt, often based on age, gender and social standing. They chase their prey, often over longer distances, sometimes even a few miles, in order to find the right animal or opportunity. Contrary to ambush predators that rely on the element of surprise and a short and intense burst of energy to secure their prey, wolves are endurance or coursing predators. They test their prey, sensing any weakness or vulnerability through visual cues and even through hearing and scent. While individual wolves have been able to subdue large prey animals, their advantage is in collaborating with their pack.
Smaller and less powerful than mountain lions, for example, wolves work together to take down prey much larger than an individual wolf prey that may otherwise elude them. What the wolf lacks in size, power and weapons it makes up for with collaboration and intelligence.
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