W is for Wolf
Don’t cry “wolf”.
Don’t wolf down your food.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing.
We’re going to throw him to the wolves.
From Wikipedia
The wolf (Canis lupus; pl.: wolves), also known as the gray wolf or grey wolf, is a large canine native to Eurasia and North America.
Of all members of the genus Canis, the wolf is most specialized for cooperative game hunting as demonstrated by its physical adaptations to tackling large prey, its more social nature, and its highly advanced expressive behaviour including individual or group howling. It travels in nuclear families consisting of a mated pair accompanied by their offspring. Offspring may leave to form their own packs on the onset of sexual maturity and in response to competition for food within the pack. Wolves are also territorial, and fights over territory are among the principal causes of mortality. The wolf is mainly a carnivore and feeds on large wild hooved mammals as well as smaller animals, livestock, carrion, and garbage. Single wolves or mated pairs typically have higher success rates in hunting than do large packs. Pathogens and parasites, notably the rabies virus, may infect wolves.
They are magnificent animals. So why are they portrayed as villains?
Wolf has definitely made it's impact on our language.
ReplyDeleteSo many tales originated in Germany, where the deep dark forests were full of wolves!
ReplyDeleteThey are magnificent, although not suited as pets. There are quite a few in my area, and the county has strict laws of how they must be housed. They are not predictable. There is no vaccine for wolves or wolf-dogs either. Hybrids in OR are considered "wild animals," not dogs. They are incredible animals, in the wild!
Wolves are awesome. And as they would eat anything during the winter, they fed the fear people had of the cold, dark months of the year and showed up a lot in folklore and folktales as the villain -- which endures to this day.
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for W: My Languishing TBR: W
Leshi