Red Wolf (mountain): description of the species, strength. The problem of conservation of the population

In the mountainous area of South and Central Asia, you can meet an amazing animal. If you just look at the photo, you can hardly tell who it is. The structure of the body resembles a jackal, color - fox, and behavioral features - wolves. People have been hunting them for a hundred years for the sake of trophy, thus bringing the population closer to the brink of extinction. Let's see what kind of animal it is and how to save it.

Description of a mountain wolf

These animals are very beautiful and intelligent. Representatives of a rare species of the family of dogs are called red or mountain wolves, it is closer to their gray relatives by kinship ties. The animal has large enough dimensions: the length of its body is one meter, the body weight varies from 17 to 21 kg. Appearance harmoniously combines the traits of three predators: jackal, fox and gray wolf. From the latter, the beast has a bright color, a longer tail that hangs almost to the ground, fluffy hair. At the mountain wolf the muzzle is pointed and shortened. Large ears with rounded tips, standing and high set, give it a resemblance to a jackal.

As a rule, a red (or mountain) wolf has a reddish color, but depending on the area, it can be very different. The tail is very fluffy, like a fox, but with a black tip. Fur in winter high, very dense, soft and dense, in summer - darker and rougher. Small cubs are born dark brown and retain such a color for up to 3 months. According to the criterion of color, body size and density of fur, zoologists described 10 subspecies of the animal, two of them live in the territory of Russia.

Areal

Red wolf (mountain) is distributed on a very large territory, its total population is low. Its territory extends from the Tien Shan and Altai mountains to Indochina and the Malay Archipelago. A large number of individuals are found in the mountainous part of South and Central Asia.

Even in the XIX century the northern border of its habitats reached the Katun River. Now the red wolf (mountain) appears only in the southern part of the Far East, where, apparently, it comes from the adjoining lands of China or Mongolia. There is no exact information about the fact that the species currently lives on the territory of Russia.

Nutrition and lifestyle

Mountain wolf is a typical inhabitant of peaks and can climb to a height of 4 thousand meters above sea level. During the year, it mainly holds in the subalpine and alpine belts, hiding in rocks or gorges. On the plains (less often forests, steppes, deserts) can make seasonal migrations in search of food, but does not settle on them. Like many other animals, it lives high in the mountains, where almost all year round there is a snow cover. The predator rarely descends to the foothills or to the southern slopes. In conflict with a person does not enter, attacks on pets are very rare.

A red wolf, mountainous and wild, hunts in a flock of uneven-aged individuals, the maximum number of which does not exceed 12. Behavior in a handful of animals is non-aggressive, without explicit identification of the leader. Hunting, as a rule, comes out during the day and for a long time pursues its victim. The diet is diverse and includes both small rodents, lizards, and antelopes, deer. A large flock is able to attack a leopard and a bull. A distinctive feature of hunting is the way of attack - from behind. They do not use the capture of the victim's throat, as most dogs do.

Animals stand out with their secretive character, try to avoid people, hide in rocky crevices, niches, caves, burrows do not dig. They are distinguished by a thin ear and excellent abilities for swimming, jumping for a distance of up to 6 meters.

Offspring

Due to the small number of populations and the secrecy of animals, their biology of reproduction has not been sufficiently studied. It is well known that the red, or mountain, wolf is monogamous, the males take an active part in the rearing of the young. When living in captivity, the active mating process begins in winter (around mid-January). Pregnancy in females lasts about 60 days, in one litter there are from 5 to 9 puppies.

In India, small cubs periodically appear throughout the year, which is explained by the year-round warm climate. Only the puppies born have a dark brown color and look like a German shepherd or a common wolf. Approximately two weeks later, they open their eyes, by the age of six months the animals weigh already as adults. At 2 years of age, young growth reaches puberty.

Population status and protection measures

This wolf is brought to the World Red Book. The mountain beast is now on the brink of extinction. By the way, the small number of its population drew attention in the XIX century. This situation in many respects causes a small study of the species. Today, the population size, the range of the range, and the reasons for the rapid extinction of animals have not been fully investigated. Scientists suggest that a significant role in this played a common gray wolf, which is a direct competitor of the species. Another probable cause is a decrease in the fodder base due to a decrease in the number of wild cloven-hoofed animals.

In order for the mountain wolf from the Red Book not to migrate to the notorious Black one, various measures are taken at the international level. The main task is to actively identify the boundaries of the area and the subsequent creation of protected areas in these territories. In addition, it is necessary to conduct conversations with the public, talking about the vulnerability of the species, the necessary measures to save it and prevent accidental shooting.