Killing of a Muskox, Ovibos moschatus, by Two Wolves,
Canis lupus, and Subsequent Caching
by
L. David Mech1 and Layne G. Adams2
The killing of a cow Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) by two Wolves (Canis lupus) in 5 minutes during summer on Ellesmere Island is described. After two of the four feedings observed, one Wolf cached a leg and regurgitated food as far as 2.3 km away and probably farther. The implications of this behavior for deriving food-consumption estimates are discussed.
Key Words: Wolf, Canis lupus, Muskox, Ovibos moschatus, predation, caching, food consumption, feeding, Northwest Territories, Canada.
This resource is based on the following source (Northern Prairie Publication 1080):
Mech, L. David, Layne G. Adams. 1999. Killing of a muskox, Ovibos moschatus, by
two wolves, Canis lupus, and subsequent caching. Canadian Field-Naturalist
113(4):673-675.
This resource should be cited as:
Mech, L. David, Layne G. Adams. 1999. Killing of a muskox, Ovibos moschatus, by
two wolves, Canis lupus, and subsequent caching. Canadian Field-Naturalist
113(4):673-675. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Online. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/muskox/index.htm
(Version 21JUL2000).
Table of Contents
1 Biological Resources Division, U. S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711- 37th Street SE, Jamestown, North Dakota 58401-7317, USA
Mailing address: North Central Forest Experiment Station, 1992 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
2 Biological Resources Division, U. S. Geological Survey, Alaska Biological Science Center, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, USA
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