Gray wolves are no longer an endangered species in the continental United States, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today, likely setting off a flurry of lawsuits by wolf advocates who believe the decision is premature. Wolves only occupy 20 percent of their historic range throughout North America.

Wolves are threatened by conflict with humans and intolerance, and the loss of both habitat and protections under state and federal endangered species laws. The gray wolf is endangered in many parts of its historic range, but delisted (by Congress) in much of the Northern Rockies.

Least Concern (Population stable)

Jan

Wolves in the wild usually do not pose a threat to humans. Wolves are very cautious animals that generally avoid contact with humans. Reports from attacks on humans from the last centuries can mainly be attributed to rabid wolves. Germany has been rabies-free since 2008 due to spreading of vaccine baits.

In 1978, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) declared all species of canis lupus south of Canada as endangered. The gray wolf is protected under the Endangered Species Act, and while conservation efforts have been very successful, scientists believe that removing their protected status is a premature move.

Without healthy wolf populations, ecosystems are thrown out of balance. Predators act as checks on populations further down the food chain. Saving wolves means also saving fragile and complex ecosystems on which thousands of species rely—while also conserving an important piece of our national heritage.

How do wolves protect themselves? Wolves are the top predators in their habitat and have many ways to protect themselves against threats. They have sharp teeth and are extremely strong, which helps them take down their prey. Wolves also have sharp eyesight, and an excellent sense of hearing and smell.

Here are a few wolf pointers we can learn from:

• The importance of communication. With highly-tuned and refined communication skills, wolves convey all kinds of messages to one another.
• Work hard and don’t give up. Hunting is really hard work for wolves.
• Play hard.
• Don’t hold a grudge.

New research published today in Royal Society Open Science shows that wolf puppies, when raised by humans, display signs of both attachment and affection towards their owners, and that these feelings last into adulthood.

1. Loyalty/teamwork. Wolves are fiercely loyal to their pack, they are the ultimate team players. Wolves will do anything to protect their family, even if it means sacrificing themselves.

With the exception of animals that end up as food for one of the parties, or parasitic mating, no animals mate or life. And cheating is rampant as well in all studied species. Jealousy exists in all mammals and you can see that in some example like alpha wolves attacking other wolves that sleep with his mates.

Packs sometimes use the same den for several years, or they may find a new den each year. Pups grow inside their mother for about 63 days before they are born. This sounds terrible to us, but wolf pups love it!

Kangal

So the lion really does not have many predators although it is hunted in some occasions: young cubs can be hunted by other predators if left alone. Also the sick and old individuals are subject to prey. Lions can be killed by being kicked by hoofed animals such as giraffe, gnu, are even deer.

Considering the unavoidable size differences between the two, the bear should be hot favourite to win any battle with a lion. The average grizzly bear can easily tip the scales at 300 kg (660 lbs), making it well over a third heavier than a large lion at 180 kg (400 lbs).

Most other animals have more to fear. But tigers, other bears, wolves and especially humans have been known to attack and kill bears. Scavengers in numbers are also a threat. Regardless of what type of bear it is, as an apex predator and carnivore, bears, have almost no natural predators.

Bite strength The grizzly’s powerful jaw closes with a force of 1,250 PSI (pounds per square inch), while the tiger’s has a force of 950 PSI, which is still enough to bite through bone. Grizzly bear has a powerful jaw. But the tiger’s teeth are longer and thinner, leaving deeper wounds that bleed longer.

Yes, it’s definitely possible. Although the lion is far more likely to beat the jaguar in a one-on-one fight, there is definitely a chance that the jaguar could kill a lion. Jaguars are extremely powerful for their size, and even have a stronger bite than lions.