Fact or Scat Trivia

Test your knowledge!

Read the statement on each card. Hover your mouse over the picture to “flip” the card and check your answer. New fact or scat trivia is posted every Friday on our social media. Follow us there to see them as soon as the new post is live!

SCAT
If you see a pup alone, you may not be able to see the whole picture. Wolves are neophobic, afraid of new things. Older pack members watching the pups may be off to the side, watching just out of view. The pups might be waiting for the pack to come back with food. Another possibility is the pups are exploring around the den, and although they appear to be alone, they are not. Either way, you may see the pups, but do not be concerned, they are likely perfectly fine and exploring their territory

Fact or Scat?

If you see a pup left alone, the pup is in danger or has been abandoned.
SCAT
After their first month of life, the pups’ can be left unattended for short periods of time. Sometimes, the older wolves in the pack will all leave; other times, one or two will stay behind with the pups. Although the pups are not usually left unattended for long, a wolf pup on its own is not typically cause for concern. They are often left behind or could be exploring just outside of the den, under the watch of another pack member. At about six months old, the pups will start joining the pack on hunts.

Fact or Scat?

When the pack hunts, the pups are always left behind in the den alone.
FACT
The pre-denning time prepares the den for the pup‘s arrival. During the first month of the pups’ lives, the dominant female will stay with them nearly all the time to nurse and protect the pups. In these first weeks, the pups are dependent on their mother as they are born deaf and blind in the den.

Fact or Scat?

During whelping season, the dominant female wolf gives birth to the pups in a den.
FACT
Dens are made from what is available in the territory. Most importantly, they are hidden and can fit the pups and members of the pack. For more information on dens, read this article about a group of researchers finding a den and pups.

Fact or Scat?

Dens can be in a hillside, under a tree, in a cave-like rock structure, or in a hollow fallen log, depending on the landscape and resources available.
FACT
Depending on the climate and habitat of the wolves, den prep can start in the fall before the ground freezes. However, this is not common. Most dominant pairs choose a den and begin prep during mating season.

Fact or Scat?

Preparing a den can start in the fall.
SCAT
Wolves can breed every year once they reach sexual maturity. However, the breeding season for wolves is only once per year, usually during February and March.

Fact or Scat?

Wolves only breed once in their lives.
SCAT
A wolf pack is a cohesive family unit consisting of the adult parents and their offspring of the current year and perhaps the previous year and sometimes two years or more. Wolf parents used to be referred to as the alpha male and alpha female or the alpha pair. These terms have been replaced by “breeding male,” “breeding female,” and “breeding pair,” or simply “parents.” The adult parents are usually unrelated, and other unrelated wolves may sometimes join the pack.

Fact or Scat?

The pair that breeds needs to exert their dominance over the pack first.
SCAT
Ungulates have pointed hooves which cause them to sink into the snow as they walk. This added challenge can cause issues in the winter when snow depth is high. As they sink into the snow, the ungulates are using more energy to move throughout the wildlands.

Fact or Scat?

Ungulates walk on top of the snow.
FACT
Although snow depth can be consistent in a geographical area, different species interact with the snow based on their need, sizes, and adaptations. For example, wolves have thicker coats and webbed paws making it easier for them to walk on the snow without sinking. Grouse will use the snow to insulate from the cold by temporarily burrowing. Other small mammals, like vols or shrews, will burrow into the snow for warmth and safety. Because of the different interactions with snow and the sizes of the animals, each species thrives at different snow depths.

Fact or Scat?

Different species of animals need different snow depths to thrive, even when living in the same area.
SCAT
Although you may be able to predict the general amount of snow an area will get in a season, the snow depth in that area can change from year to year and even month to month. Snow depth is the measure of how much snow is on the ground at that moment. This can be dependent on the location (side of a hill, forest, lake), the other weather conditions (temperature, wind), and the ecosystem and habitats in the area.

Fact or Scat?

Snow depth is consistent from year to year.
FACT
Most wolf communication occurs through scent marks and howling, so it’s no surprise that finding an unclaimed territory uses the same methods. Wolves are able to smell the scat and urine in an area to determine if that area has already been claimed by a pack, or is available. Howling is also used as a howl can be heard from 6 miles away on a clear night.

Fact or Scat?

Wolves find unclaimed territory through scent marks and howling.
SCAT
Wolves are social carnivores, meaning they work as a group to survive. This extends beyond hunting to the social life of the pack and raising the pups. The dominant male and female are typically the parents of the other wolves in the pack, meaning the pups have their parents and older siblings to watch, teach, and care for them.

Fact or Scat?

The dominant female is the only caretaker of the pups.
FACT
Wolves typically disperse between 2 and 3 years old. In their first year, they are growing and learning, while in their yearling time (from their first birthday to their 2nd), the wolves are still not fully developed to adulthood. At 2 years old, wolves are considered mature, and able to disperse to find a mate and new territory.

Fact or Scat?

Wolves usually disperse at about 2 to 3 years old.
SCAT
Dispersal is a dangerous time for a wolf. Wolves are pack animals, and rely on that structure for much of their life. Searching for a new mate and an unclaimed territory can be extremely dangerous. Wolves may encounter other packs, roads, towns, or environmental factors that could threaten their survival.

Fact or Scat?

Wolves find mates and new territory easily.
SCAT
Not all wolves disperse. Some stay with their natal packs and some disperse later than is typically observed. For more information read this article on dispersal.

Fact or Scat?

All wolves disperse.

Fact or Scat Trivia

Test your knowledge!

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?

Fact or Scat?