On the Regulation of Pack Size in Wolves

Wolves live in territorial packs of up to 20 animals. To gain insight into the regulation of wolf populations it is necessary to understand the regulation of pack size. Based on a long-time study of the social behaviour of a wolf pack in a large enclosure, a model of the regulation of pack size is constructed. Ecological factors such as prey size and prey biomass have an influence on wolf mortality, as well as on aggressive, sexual and spatial behaviour within the pack.