Read the following text and answer the questions below.

Wolves are legendary because of their howl, which they use to communicate.

A lone wolf howls to attract the attention of his pack, while communal howls may send territorial messages from one pack to another. Much like barking domestic dogs, wolves may simply begin howling because a nearby wolf has already begun.

Wolves are the largest members of the dog family. Gray wolves are by far the most common and were once found all over the Northern Hemisphere. Though wolves almost never attack humans, they are considered one of the world's most fearsome animals. They do attack domestic animals, and countless wolves have been shot, trapped, and poisoned because of this tendency.

Red wolves live in the southeastern United States, where they are endangered. These animals actually became extinct in the wild in 1980. Scientists established a breeding program with a small number of captive red wolves, and have reintroduced the animal to North Carolina.

The maned wolf lives in South America. Physically, this animal resembles a large, red fox more than its wolf relatives.

Wolves live and hunt in packs of around six to ten animals. They are known to roam large distances, perhaps 20 kilometers in a single day. These social animals cooperate on their preferred prey - large animals such as deer, elk, and moose. When they are successful, wolves do not eat in moderation. A single animal can consume 9 kilograms of meat at a sitting. Wolves also eat smaller mammals, birds, fish, lizards, snakes and fruit.

Wolf packs are established according to a strict hierarchy. The dominant male is at the top and his mate not far behind. Usually this male and female are the only animals of the pack to breed. All of a pack's adults help to care for young pups by bringing them food and watching them, while others hunt.

⇐ Предыдущая 123 Следующая ⇒