Use of urine in snow to indicate condition of wolves
January 1, 1987
Urine deposited in snow by wild gray wolves (Canis lupus) and by fed and fasted captive wolves was analyzed for urea nitrogen, calcium, sodium, potassium, and creatinine. Ratios of the elements with creatinine were considerably higher for fed than for fasted animals, and ratios for fed wolves compared favorably with ratios from wolf urine in snow along trails leading from kills. Thus, wolf urine in the snow can indicate whether wolves have fed recently, and a series of such urine collections from any given pack can indicate relative nutritional state.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 1987 |
|---|---|
| Title | Use of urine in snow to indicate condition of wolves |
| Authors | L. D. Mech, U. S. Seal, G. D. DelGiudice |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| Index ID | 5222180 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |