Why Elk Calves Are Undetectable to Yellowstone's Wolves

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Phasoli
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Why Elk Calves Are Undetectable to Yellowstone's Wolves

Post by Phasoli » Sun Sep 10, 2017 7:02 am

I stumbled across this video the other day, and found it to be very interesting.
The video suggested that it's difficult for a wolf to detect the scent of an elk calf. What an amazing adaptation!



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Re: Why Elk Calves Are Undetectable to Yellowstone's Wolves

Post by Pepper » Sun Sep 10, 2017 9:28 am

That is an interesting video. Newborn ungulates of all kinds are said to be scentless and they rely on staying hidden until they are mobile. Elk calves can keep up with the herd within a few weeks. But newborns are a source of prey for all kinds of predators including bears!
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Re: Why Elk Calves Are Undetectable to Yellowstone's Wolves

Post by Phasoli » Sun Sep 10, 2017 10:33 am

I find it absolutely amazing that mom can leave for a little while and find her baby again, given that her baby is blended in, and doesn't give off a strong scent on top of that.

I guess even wolves with the best sense of smell can't compete with that! I love how that keeps them from over-hunting the young.
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Writing is a job, a talent,
but it's also the place to go inside your head.
It's the imaginary friend you drink tea
with in the afternoon.
||,.°`°.,||Ж||,.°`°.,||
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Re: Why Elk Calves Are Undetectable to Yellowstone's Wolves

Post by Koa » Sun Sep 10, 2017 1:06 pm

Moved to Wolf Multimedia

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Re: Why Elk Calves Are Undetectable to Yellowstone's Wolves

Post by Ecliptic » Tue Sep 26, 2017 1:02 pm

I just saw that too! I find it amazing that a wolf, with a nose as good as it has, couldn't smell the calf at all.

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