Wolves (Canis lupus) consume a wide variety of prey, large and small. They efficiently hunt large prey that other predators cannot usually kill. They also compete with coyotes (and, to a lesser extent, foxes) for smaller prey. In Yellowstone, 90 percent of their winter prey
is elk; 10-15 percent of their summer prey is deer. They also can kill adult bison.
Many other animals benefit from wolf kills. For example, when wolves kill an elk, ravens
arrive almost immediately....
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Wolves (Canis lupus) consume a wide variety of prey, large and small. They efficiently hunt large prey that other predators cannot usually kill. They also compete with coyotes (and, to a lesser extent, foxes) for smaller prey. In Yellowstone, 90 percent of their winter prey
is elk; 10-15 percent of their summer prey is deer. They also can kill adult bison.
Many other animals benefit from wolf kills. For example, when wolves kill an elk, ravens
arrive almost immediately. Coyotes arrive soon after, waiting nearby until the wolves are sated. Bears will attempt to chase the wolves away, and are usually successful.
Many other animals--from magpies to foxes--consume the remains. NPS Yellowstone Resource 2011.
Otter Creek confluence with the Yellowstone River. YNP.
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