Otherwise known as Timber or White,
the Gray Wolf has family pegged…
They’re allied and organized,
hunt and raise young as one –
They’ll sacrifice all,
give self for pack –
Their fam’ly
must live
on…
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| Writing Prompt |
Write a nonet poem about your favourite animal. |
Author Notes
The Gray Wolf
Gray wolves are the largest wild members of the dog family. Males are usually larger than females. They have silvery gray-brown backs, light tan and cream underparts, and long bushy tails. The fur can be any shade of gray, brown, black, white, or tan. In winter, their fur becomes darker on the neck, shoulders, and rump.
Gray wolves are one of the most wide ranging land animals. They occupy a wide variety of habitats, from arctic tundra to forest, prairie, and arid landscapes. Hunting and habitat destruction have caused a steep decline in populations. Gray wolves are now found only in a few areas of Canada and the United States. Wild wolves live in these states: Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Gray wolves are carnivorous -- they primarily eat meat. Wolves often hunt in packs for large prey such as deer, moose, sheep, goats, caribou, elk, bison, and muskox. Wolves also prey on rodents, beavers, fish, and birds.
Gray wolves are territorial and live in packs lead by the alpha pair. A pack of 6 to 8 wolves includes some of the alpha pair's offspring and may include some unrelated wolves. They communicate with each other through howling, body language and scent. Howling is used to assemble the pack, communicate with other packs, and assert territorial boundaries.
Gray wolves mate between late January and March. Once the female chooses a partner, the animals may remain paired for a number of years. Litter size ranges from 4-6 pups. They usually breed once each year. They have been known to live a maximum of thirteen years in the wild, though the average lifespan is about 5 to 9 years. They can live 14-15 years in captivity. [naturemappingfoundation.org]
Image of 'Gray Wolf at Dusk' from Pinerest [www.pinterest.com]
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