Ethiopian Wolf Facts: Lesson for Kids

Habitat

Where do these wolves live? If you guessed Ethiopia, you’re right! Ethiopian wolves are endemic, or found only in a few specific spots, in Ethiopia, which is located on the continent of Africa. So if you wanted to try and find one near your house, you wouldn’t be able to!

They roam in packs up in the mountains and make homes in the grasslands there. There are usually up to a dozen adults living together in a pack, mostly males with a couple females. Packs mark their territories, or spaces where they live, and help each other to protect them so other wolves or predators don’t come in and take over.

Hunting and Diet

Although Ethiopian wolves live in packs, they actually prefer to hunt alone during the day. Ethiopian wolves are carnivores, or meat-eaters. They feed on small rodents that live in the grasslands, such as rabbits and rats.

Ethiopian wolves can locate their prey by the sounds the rodents make in the grass. When the time is right, the wolves quickly chase after their prey and use their long muzzles and pointed jaws to catch their food. Sometimes, they can even use their paws to dig into the ground and find their prey hiding in burrows of grass.

An Endangered Species

Unfortunately, Ethiopian wolves are endangered, which means their population is decreasing. There are only approximately 500 of them remaining in the wild. This makes them one of the most endangered wolf species in the world and one of only three wolf species left in Africa.

How have they become so threatened? Well, humans are taking over the land where Ethiopian wolves live. As a result, they have a more difficult time finding space to live and hunt. In addition, diseases (such as rabies) can spread and kill a large part of the wolf population.

Scientists are working to prevent these animals from dying out by limiting the areas where humans can build and by providing vaccinations, or medicine, to stop the spread of disease.

Small area of Africa where Ethiopian wolves are found

Interesting Facts

• They can run up to speeds of 30 miles per hour
• Although they usually feed on small rodents, sometimes they work in groups to hunt large animals such as antelopes
• If there isn’t a lot of food available, Ethiopian wolves will eat carcasses, which are leftover bones and meat from dead animals
• Baby wolves are called pups and are born between the months of October and December
• Their lifespan in the wild is about 8-10 years

Lesson Summary

Ethiopian wolves are endemic animals since they can only be found in specific locations in Ethiopia in Africa. In the grasslands of the mountains, these carnivores hunt their prey including rats and rabbits. Although they are at the top of their food chain, Ethiopian wolves are endangered and only about 500 remain in the wild.

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