Q. What is a Wolf?


A. A wolf is a large carnivorous mammal that is native to every continent except south america and antartica. Most countries have eradicated their 'forms' of wolf almost entirely. A grey wolf is about the size of a german shepherd or siberian husky, but thicker in build with a broad chest and thick muscular legs. They have 2 coats, one thicker layer found close to the skin to keep in heat and maintain body temperature, and another coat over that to act as a water repelent and as another body temperature regulator. They weigh up to 180lbs.

Females are slightly smaller then males but both do an equal amount of work in the pack.
 

Q:Where are Wolves Found?

A: Grey Wolves are native to Northern North America, Canada, and parts of Europe.
The Red Wolf is native to Southern North America, and Mexico.

The Mexican (Grey) Wolf is native to Southern North America and Mexico.
The Arctic Wolf is native to some parts of Greenland and the Canadian/Alaskan Arctic.

The Eastern Wolf is native to Canada.

The Eurasian Wolf is native to central Asia.

The Ethiopian Wolf is native to Africa, and is also known as a Red Jackal.

The Tundra wolf is native to Russia and now presides in Asia and Northern Europe.
The Maned Wolf is native to Africa.


 

Q. Are the titles "Alpha, Beta, and Omega" applicable in wild wolf packs?

A. Yes and no. I myself do not like to refer to woves by alpha, beta, omega,  because it seems too simple for such a complex society like that of a wolf's. A wild wolf pack tends to have a dominant pair which mate once a year. The 'Alpha Male' will only mate with one female unless she either dies or is no longer able to reproduce pups. Beta really doesn't refer to one specific wolf. Majority of wolf packs are broken down into further categories of rank. Some wolves rank higher then others but are not considered 'alphs'. Usually a pack has one or two omegas which do not hunt, get very little food from kills, and tend to stay near the home dens to watch over pups and dig dens for the higher ranking wolves. So I believe there is an Alpha (Pair); No such this as 'Beta'; and that there is an/are Omega(s) in a pack.

Q. Why do you think rank titles are only for captive wolves?

A. In captivity wolves are unable to leave the pack and move out on their own to assume their desired positions.

"Ascending to the throne": the leader gives the alpha role to their son or daughter is cliche and unfounded in the wild. Captive wolf pups may actually kill their parents, siblings, and other pack mates on some occassions to assert their dominance in the pack. Incest may sometimes occur as well.

In the Wild, 1 1/2-4 year olds will leave the pack when they feel they are ready to search of their own territory and to start a pack of their own. In captivity, wolves live in the sanctuary and zoos throughout their lives if they are in captive breeding programs and cannot 'leave and start their own pack'.

In captivity, wolves tend to all be "betas" since majority of females are bred in captivity by different males and are all raised together.  There is no hunting done and pups are raised by humans: thus no role for omegas except for the occassional wolf that gets pushed around or has their food stolen.

In conclusion, One Wolf ranking titles (other then alpha pair) are unfounded and pointless to be given to wild wolves and I believe it should be stated so.


Q. Why do you draw in realism?

A. I believe that the story of a real animal, should be told as realistically as possible. That binding oneself to the physical world, makes you understand what is physically going on. My entire reasoning for writing these stories is to inform the public about a species that exists and bring about awareness. That's why I don't tend to write fantasy stories involving real animals that have magic powers or wings or anything that could be associated to the topic of 'magic and fantasty' unless I change the species entirely.

And After countless discussions about everyone on youtube and deviantart who draws wolves, I will repeat myself one last time. EMO FLIPS ON WOLVES DO NOT MAKE A CHARACTER AWESOME. Human hair belongs on humans and wolves do not have flames or blue and gold fur, leave fantasy to the RPGs and Fantasy stories.

 

Q. Do you plan on publishing?

 

A. Quite simply, Yes I hope to. But that is entirely on the public's views on my stories and how well it is accepted in the publishing industry.