The feeding pattern of Canis Lupus is indicative of its predatory nature. Canis Lupus is typically a carnivore and when feeding on a large mammal, Canis Lupus will consume the heart, liver and intestines followed by the flesh, bones and the hide (Mech and Boitani 2003). When in North America Canis Lupus’ primary prey consists of white-tailed deer, moose, musk-ox, caribou, bighorn sheep, elk and bison (Bibikov 1982, Mech and Boitani 2003, Mech and Merric1998, Sullivan 1978). When its primary prey becomes scarce, Canis Lupus will settle for a less robust meal in smaller mammals such as rabbit, hares, and voles (Mech and Boitani 2003) and scavenged food to supplement its diet. These scavenged meals could come from other predators (Mech and Boitani 2003) and
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Garbage from dumps comprise 60-70% of entire eating regimen. In addition to that, fruits and berries round out the rest of the diet (Mech and Boitani).
The feeding pattern of Canis Lupus is indicative of its nomadic nature. Depending on the pack, size of the kill, availability of other prey and hunger level, Canis Lupus will stay near the kill for several days (Harrington and Mech 1979). Due to its predisposition to migrate from place to place, food can be hard to come by. Luckily there have been evolutionary traits that Canis Lupus has gained through trial and error that have allowed it to survive the lean season. In preparation for the possibility of not seeing a consistent meal for extended periods of time Canis Lupus will gorge itself by taking in up to ten kilos (22 lbs.) at a time (Mech and Boitani 2003) or in an act of desperation will fast for months if necessary by burning fat to preserve its life. In keeping with the rules of nature, most notably survival of the fittest, Canis Lupus feed based on a predetermined hierarchy. The dominant, breeding male or female eat first
Garbage from dumps comprise 60-70% of entire eating regimen. In addition to that, fruits and berries round out the rest of the diet (Mech and Boitani).
The feeding pattern of Canis Lupus is indicative of its nomadic nature. Depending on the pack, size of the kill, availability of other prey and hunger level, Canis Lupus will stay near the kill for several days (Harrington and Mech 1979). Due to its predisposition to migrate from place to place, food can be hard to come by. Luckily there have been evolutionary traits that Canis Lupus has gained through trial and error that have allowed it to survive the lean season. In preparation for the possibility of not seeing a consistent meal for extended periods of time Canis Lupus will gorge itself by taking in up to ten kilos (22 lbs.) at a time (Mech and Boitani 2003) or in an act of desperation will fast for months if necessary by burning fat to preserve its life. In keeping with the rules of nature, most notably survival of the fittest, Canis Lupus feed based on a predetermined hierarchy. The dominant, breeding male or female eat first