Hobbies And Interests
Gray Wolf
The gray wolf is second only to man as the most wide ranging of all the land mammals. This species of wolf is found in all habitats in the Northern Hemisphere except for tropical rainforests, which makes them suitable for the natural climate of zoos all across the Northern Hemisphere. An artificial habitat for a gray wolf needs to be large enough to accommodate a pack of these sociable animals and also allow them to move freely throughout the enclosure. Little modification is required; the zoo planners simply need to include wooded areas and rocky ground to mimic the natural habitat of the wolf. Zoo keepers provide wolves with dried kibble and wet food specifically formulated for wild canines.
Maned Wolf
Generally inhabiting areas south of the equator, the maned wolf is less wide ranging than the gray wolf. Maned wolves prefer the forests, savanna and marshlands of Southeastern Brazil and Northern Argentina. These animals also live at altitudes of up to 2,070 meters above sea level in Bolivia and Paraguay. To keep maned wolves happy and healthy, zoo keepers must try to replicate these habitats. Zoo habitats for maned wolves need not be as expansive as for that for gray wolves, however, as maned wolves are generally solitary, and breeding pairs will mate for life.
Arctic Wolf
Smaller than their cousins to the south, the Arctic wolf inhabits the northern fringes of Canada, the north polar ice cap and Eastern and Northern Greenland. In the wild these animals experience almost constant temperatures of -22 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature unimaginable to many people. As a result, they are difficult to keep in captivity anywhere other than in the Arctic Circle. Otherwise, a zoo would require a specially chilled habitat to accommodate arctic wolves. In the wild, arctic wolves eat a wide range of arctic fauna, including arctic foxes, ptarmigan birds and lemmings. Zoo keepers need to replicate this unusual diet in their daily feedings to ensure the animals are not losing out on required nutrients.
Red Wolf
The red wolf can be found in the deciduous forests of the U.S., ranging as far as Pennsylvania in the north and Texas in the west. However, due to the increasing human population in these areas, the red wolf is becoming increasingly endangered. The temperate climate preferred by the red wolf means that most American zoos can comfortably accommodate these animals with minimal habitat modification. A large habitat with long grass and broadleaf trees are all that the red wolf needs. It will be fed a mixture of specifically formulated canine food and frozen feline food for five days of the week, with bone or muscle meat on the sixth day. The red wolf will fast for the remaining day.