What cycle structure dictates the gray wolf feeding pattern instead of steady grazing?

Answer

Feast-or-famine cycle.

Gray wolves do not sustain themselves through steady, continuous grazing throughout the day, which is characteristic of many herbivores. Instead, their feeding structure is defined by a feast-or-famine cycle. This pattern is directly dictated by the success rate of their hunts for large prey. When a major kill is secured, the pack engages in rapid, intense consumption to maximize energy storage. A single large carcass can often provide enough nutrition to support the entire pack for a week or more while they recover or search again. This intense, cyclical intake is a necessary adaptation because the high energy demands of long-distance travel and high-speed coordinated chases require readily digestible energy sources, primarily animal fat and muscle, which can be loaded efficiently during the 'feast' periods.

What cycle structure dictates the gray wolf feeding pattern instead of steady grazing?

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dietPredatorwolfCarnivore