Prey Selection and Consumption by Alaskan Wolves in Winter
Holleman DF and Stephenson RO. 1981. Prey Selection and Consumption by Alaskan Wolves in Winter. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 45(3):620-628
Selection and consumption of prey by the Alaskan wolf (Canis lupus pambasileus) were determined by application of the fallout radiocesium method. A total of 232 wolves collected throughout Alaska had radiocesium concentrations ranging from 208 to 53,100 pCi/kg of wet skeletal muscle. Values were dependent primarily on prey availability at the collection site. The highest radiocesium concentrations were in wolves collected in areas where caribou, and/or reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), or black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were available as prey. The lowest radiocesium concentrations were in wolves from areas where these prey species were absent. Radiocesium concentrations in wolf muscle were interpreted as an indication of the importance of caribou, deer, or moose (Alces alces) as prey for the wolf. The best estimate of total prey consumption was 2.8 kg/day/wolf or an average kill rate of 14 caribou/wolf or 3.4 moose/wolf/winter (Nov through Apr). The estimate of deer consumption for southeastern Alaska was 7.4 deer/wolf/winter.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Holleman, D; Stephenson, R
- Units
- GLBA , KLGO , SEAN , SITK
- Keywords
- Alces alces, Canis lupus pambasileus, Odocoileus hemionus, Rangifer tarandus