Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Fall and winter homesite use by wolves in northeastern Minnesota

January 1, 1982

Post-abandonment homesite use by wolves (Canis lupus) was studied by radio-tracking and simulated howling in two packs in Superior National Forest, Minnesota. Pups, yearlings, and adults returned intermittently to former homesites up to four months after abandonment, usually after prolonged separation from the pack in early fall. Returns sometimes exceeded one week. Preferred summer homesites were revisited most frequently. Visits declined as the season progressed either because attempts to relocate the pack were not facilitated, or simply because separations became rare. While temporarily at homesites, single wolves replied significantly more to simulated howling than when anywhere else, suggesting that homesites may provide reassurance for separated wolves.

Publication Year 1982
Title Fall and winter homesite use by wolves in northeastern Minnesota
Authors F.H. Harrington, L. D. Mech
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Canadian Field-Naturalist
Index ID 5221785
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Patuxent Wildlife Research Center