Wolves on the Hunt The Behavior of Wolves Hunting Wild Prey

The interactions between apex predators and their prey are among the most impressively choreographed in naturegreat whites chasing seals, lions hunting antelope, and wolves outmaneuvering deer. Each of these interactions demonstrates physical strength and endurance, and a deep coevolutionary history. Wolves are often thought of as killing machines (especially among ranchers). In a general sense, like great whites, they are. The wolf has evolved to kill prey much larger than itself, a wolf, or especially a pack of wolves, can kill just about anything it wants. But this lifestyle comes at a cost--wolves spend a third of their time hunting. And their successes and failures help drive the functioning of the ecosystems they imhabit. "Wolves on the Hunt "is the first book to focus explicitly on wolf hunting. It contains a compelling mix of analyses of behavioral data, original field observations, and introductory texts that cover the major wolf interactions with their prey. Organized around the species the wolves hunt-- deer, elk, moose, caribou, dall sheep, bison, muskoxen, arctic hare, among othersit is a revelatory exploration of the life and evolution of one of nature s most revered great hunters."