Myth:
Wolves are considered "endangered" because of their inability to adapt to their changing environment, causing their population to dwindle.
Fact:
Wolves are extremely resilient, with a long history of survival throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. In recent centuries, however, folklore, supersitition, church doctrine, even early governmental programs have led to the destruction and near extinction of wolf populations worldwide. Current programs protecting wolves from unlawful elimination are also rebuilding positive attitudes toward these magnificent creatures.
Myth:
Wolves howl at the moon.
Fact:
Current studies suggest that wolves appear to howl more on moonlit nights because better visibility prompts more night-time activity. . .in wildlife of all kinds. So, while "howling at the moon" theory may not be accurate, wolves do howl to locate their companions, to keep neighboring wolves out of their territories and, believe it or not, to just have fun! Sadly, wolves have also been observed howling over the loss of a partner.
Myth:
Wolves raised in captivity are domesticated enough to make good pets.
Fact:
It's true--wolves and dogs are biologically similar. Whether they're Gray wolves (includes various fur colrs and "Timber") or another species, wolves look a lot like their canine cousins. Yet, dogs have been bred to live with humans while wolves remain unpredictable animales ruled primarliy by instinct. Even when wolves and dogs are interbred, their wolf hybrid pups usually do not make good pets.
Myth:
Wolves are more dangerous to human than are dogs.
Facts:
As man's "best friend," the domestic dog is involved in 3 million or more incidents of injury to humans each year, result in over 20 human deaths annually. Conversely, only a few injuries have ever been attributed to specific wolves that had lost fear of humans. THere are no reports of human deaths caused by wild wolves in North America. Indeed, these powerful animals are extremely timid around people.
Myth:
Like tigers, wolves stalk their prey, then attack from behind.
Fact:
Wolves utilize a hunting method called coursing---chasing their prey, sometimes over long distances and for extended hours, until they are either successul or outpaced. For all their hard work, wolves catch their prey in only about two of 10 attempts. Wolves rarely attack from behind. Instead, they run in front of their prey and grab hold of its nose and throat until it is subdued.
Myth:
Wolves prefer to prey on cattle and other domestic herds because they are easier to catch.
Fact:
Historically, only after humans have depleted or eliminated the wolf's natural prey---deer, elk, bison, beaver and others---and replaced it with domestic livestock, have wolves restorted to preying on the remaining food source---the livestock. Wolves normally prey on older, weaker, injured and ill wildlife, helping insure that only stronger, healthier animals will reproduce. Livestock kills are extremely rare.
Myth:
Wolves moves into dens to hibernate through the winter months.
Fact:
Unlike bears, wolves do not hibernate. In fact, dens are mainly utilized only by a pack's dominant or "alpha" female. She digs and then in late winter uses her den as a shelter for delivery and care of 5-6 pups. When they are 6-8 weeks old, the pups each get a ride in Mom's mouth to a nursery area where the whole pack cares for them.
Myth:
The Endangered Species Act protects wolves that prey on livestock from being controlled.
Fact:
Under this act, any wolf preying on domestic livestock has routinely been removed or destroyed by USDA Wildlife Services personnel. To those both for and against wolf preservation and wolf reintroduction to certain states, this approach is a fair compromise. It supports the right of ranchers and farms to do business while helping to protect wolves from extinction.
Myth:
Due to their mean temperament, wolves search for animals---sometimes, even humans---to maim or destroy, just for sport.
Fact:
For centuries, fables, fairy tales, myths and legends have perpetuated the negative, threatening image of wolves, held by many the world over. In reality, despite how humans react to their growls and snarls, wolves are very leery of people, avoding them whenever possible. THey kill other animals only as sources of meals or to instinctively protect themselves.
Myth:
Anyone bitten by a wolf is at risk of becoming a "werewolf."
Fact:
During the Middle Ages, belief in and fear of werewolves spread throughout Europe and beyond. Teachings that the souls of executed murderers returned to life as werewolves created a fear of wolves, leading to their destruction. Such unfounded fears are kept alive today in fictional movies, games and tales depicting wolves in any form as monsters whose bite changes humans into werewolves. . .an impossibility!
Myth:
When wolf populations increase, hunters cannot bag the deer, elk and other game they normally harvest.
Fact:
Studies show that most deer killed by wolves are five years old or older, often in failing health, while the deer taken by hungers are commonly healthy two-year olds. For example, a 1995 Michigan study of its Upper Michigan stated that more deet (8,558) were killed by cars that year than several hundred taken by wolves. From it deer population of 750,000, hunters harvest 116,000.
Myth:
When not hunting, pack members typically fight among themselves.
Fact:
Although wolves do have conflicts that determine who dominates whom within a pack's hierarchy, these occur much less frequently than incidents of grooming, playing and "pup-sitting." Often, two wolves will lick each other's coats to remove burrs and other matter. And wolves like to chase, tease and wrestle each other, just for fun. Additionally, most pack members help care for young pups, including feeding, training and playing with them.
