The wolf (Canis lupus) is a very widespread animal in the world, well known, majestic and yet so mysterious. I encourage you to browse the synthesis work I did when I was ten years old and discover something new about these animals. What are you wai...
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The steppe wolf (Canis lupus campestris), also known as the Caspian Sea wolf, is a subspecies of gray wolf native to the Caspian steppes, the steppe regions of the Caucasus, the lower Volga region, southern Kazakhstan north to the middle of the Emba, and the steppe regions of the lower European part of the former Soviet Union.
Habitat:
The steppe wolf once roamed throughout the Caspian Sea and Black Sea. Today, it exists only in a remote area in the extreme south-western portion of Russia that borders the northern half of the Caspian Sea.
Characteristics:
Steppe wolves usually come in desert colors to blend into their surroundings. They are not white as are many more northerly Siberian wolves. Steppe wolves usually weigh up to 88 pounds, having short coats that display shades of gray with rust or brown and black hairs over their back.
Though they usually eat almost every animal they can catch, both packs and lone steppe wolves have been known to occasionally kill more than they are capable of feeding on, especially Caspian seals. They hunt when they are hungry but if they are not successful they can go without food for several weeks.
Diet:
Steppe wolves eat almost every animal they can catch. They usually hunt in packs, but the steppe wolf will sometimes hunt on its own when food (especially large prey) is scarce. The steppe wolf usually feeds on herd animals, rodents, and fish.
Breeding:
Like most other wolves, mating is usually between the dominant pair of the pack. Breeding usually occurs between January and April. After about 63 days, the mother will give birth to 4 to 7 pups, which the entire pack usually takes part in raising them.
