Berry Important to Wolves

An interesting observation of wolf behavior is generating some serious questions.

In 2017, biologist Austin Homkes of Northern Michigan University in Marquette noticed some unusual behavior. He was following the GPS signal from previously installed wolf collars. It seemed like a gathering where several wolves met up — indicative of a hunt, he thought.

It’s common for wolves to hunt something and then bring the pups to the carcass to feed. But this wasn’t the case. It was, indeed, a rendezvous site. Homkes watched from a distance, observing as pups gathered around an adult wolf. They started licking its mouth, which stimulates adults to throw up. Then, Homkes thought, it must be still some meat the adult wolf had previously consumed.

But this wasn’t the case here. Homkes watched in shock as the wolf regurgitated piles of partially chewed blueberries, which the pups munched on.

The question of blueberry consumption illuminates the need to understand the contribution to wolf nutrition that food like these berries provide.  Could wolves benefit from forestry practices that encouraged the growth of berries?   You can review the study here.

                                                                                                                   Photo:  ODFW