Wolf Movements during Four Months of Darkness
Author Information
Author(s): Mech L. David, Cluff H. Dean
Primary Institution: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey
Hypothesis
How do wolves behave and move during the four months of continuous darkness in the High Arctic?
Conclusion
Wolves maintain their movement patterns during the dark period in the High Arctic, showing little change compared to other seasons.
Supporting Evidence
- The collared wolf traveled a total minimum distance of 5,979 km.
- The total area covered by the wolf pack was 6,640 km2, the largest reported for any wolf pack.
- The average movements during the dark period did not differ from those in other seasons.
Takeaway
Wolves in the Arctic can move around just as much in the dark as they do when it's light outside.
Methodology
The study involved collaring a lead wolf with a GPS collar to track its movements over 9 months.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in data collection due to reliance on GPS tracking and observations from a limited number of researchers.
Limitations
The study only tracked one collared wolf and its pack, which may not represent all wolves in the region.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on a pack of at least 20 wolves in the High Arctic.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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