Which food sources provide the necessary fat and protein for gray wolf survival through harsh winters?

Answer

Large ungulates like elk and moose.

The sustaining force behind a gray wolf pack’s ability to endure harsh winters and undertake long, strenuous movements comes from securing prey rich in dense caloric content. Large, hoofed mammals—ungulates such as elk, moose, and deer—are critical because they supply the massive quantities of fat and protein required for high-energy maintenance. These nutrients are the fundamental building blocks that drive their metabolic needs. While smaller prey, carrion, and vegetation offer opportunistic calories or buffers, they lack the sheer density and reliable caloric yield of a successful kill on a large ungulate. When temperatures drop and energy expenditure rises dramatically, the reliable supply of fat and protein from these large animals becomes the irreplaceable caloric engine for pack survival.

Which food sources provide the necessary fat and protein for gray wolf survival through harsh winters?

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dietPredatorwolfCarnivore