The Antarctic wolf (Dusicyon Australis) was a native of the Falkland Islands.
Because of its small size, it was perfect for life on those islands, rich of low and dense forests.
It hunted birds and small mammals, both in the green spots and in the moors, swept by the cold southern winds.
Darwin described it, in 1833, as common and meek. Unfortunately, these features couldn't save it from the inhabitans of the islands, who came from England and massacred it, up to the last specimen with the excuse that they had to protect the flocks of sheep.
It became extinct just twenty years after the arrival of the Europeans in the Falkland Islands.
(Thanks to Lorenzo S. for helping me writing this post)
Showing posts with label wolf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wolf. Show all posts
Monday, December 22, 2014
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Things we lost... Honshu wolf.
The Honshu wolf (or Japanese wolf) was the smallest wolf existing in the world, as it was only 84 cm long (not counting the tail) and 39 cm tall.
In the Japanese Islands it was called "the howling God" and it was respected but also widely feared, so much so that in the country houses people hung talismans outside to protect themselves from those beasts.
At the end of the 19th century, Japan knew an unprecedented process of industrialization and this led to the felling of many forests where the small wolf lived.
Furthermore, an always more ruthless hunt to this animal began, with a bounty of 10 YEN by the government for each specimen.
Tremendous rabies outbreaks finally decimated them.
The last specimen was killed in 1905 (same fate befell its "cousin", the Hokkaido wolf).
(Thanks to Lorenzo S. for helping me writing this post)
Friday, June 6, 2014
Swedish Big 5: the Wolf.
Wolves were once extinct in Sweden but they are now recovering. The number of wolves living in Sweden is not precise, but it seems to be around 400-500 specimens.
They are shy and well camouflaged animals and often move during the night so it is very hard to see them. They prefer to live in the forests, far from human beings. In Sweden there are no wolves in the northern part and also in the very southern part; they can be found in the central part of the country, where almost every forested area is part of the wolves territory.
The wolf lives in a family where there are two parents, often called the alpha pair and the cubs. Most of the cubs leave the family before they become sexually mature. The ones who don't are seen by the parents as baby sits for the younger cubs. A wolf family is often called for a pack.
The wolves defend their marked territory against trespassing wolves and fights between them are not uncommon.
Wolves do not go in hibernation, they remain active all winter long.
A home territory usually measures from 800 to 1000 km2 and the determining criterion in the choice of where to live is considered to be the access to food.
Wolves' most common preys are roedeers, mooses and raindeers but they also prey on deers, badgers, hares, rodents and beavers. They can survive in all types of habitat as long as there is enough food and little risk of being hunted.
If you are planning to go to Sweden and absolutely want to see a wolf, Wild Sweden could be right for you. Here you can find two links of the website:
http://www.wildsweden.com/short-tours/wolf-tour-in-summer/
http://www.wildsweden.com/short-tours/wolf-tracking-day/
They are shy and well camouflaged animals and often move during the night so it is very hard to see them. They prefer to live in the forests, far from human beings. In Sweden there are no wolves in the northern part and also in the very southern part; they can be found in the central part of the country, where almost every forested area is part of the wolves territory.
The wolf lives in a family where there are two parents, often called the alpha pair and the cubs. Most of the cubs leave the family before they become sexually mature. The ones who don't are seen by the parents as baby sits for the younger cubs. A wolf family is often called for a pack.
The wolves defend their marked territory against trespassing wolves and fights between them are not uncommon.
Wolves do not go in hibernation, they remain active all winter long.
A home territory usually measures from 800 to 1000 km2 and the determining criterion in the choice of where to live is considered to be the access to food.
Wolves' most common preys are roedeers, mooses and raindeers but they also prey on deers, badgers, hares, rodents and beavers. They can survive in all types of habitat as long as there is enough food and little risk of being hunted.
If you are planning to go to Sweden and absolutely want to see a wolf, Wild Sweden could be right for you. Here you can find two links of the website:
http://www.wildsweden.com/short-tours/wolf-tour-in-summer/
http://www.wildsweden.com/short-tours/wolf-tracking-day/
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