Wolf population persistence in real life
January 1, 2005
Wolf (Canis lupus) populations tend to be resilient and to persist for long periods, and several characteristics contribute to their resilience and persistence: (1) age of first reproduction (2-3 years), (2) high annual litter size (mean = 6), (3) low dispersal age (1-3 years), and (4) long potential dispersal distance (< 880 km). The only documented factor leading to extinction of well established wolf populations with sufficient food is deliberate poisoning, although conceivably disease could have such an effect.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Title | Wolf population persistence in real life |
| Authors | L. D. Mech |
| Publication Type | Conference Paper |
| Publication Subtype | Abstract or summary |
| Index ID | 93829 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center |