Gray Wolf Fact Sheet - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation::
Gray wolves usually live in family groups or packs of 2-8 individuals, though from 4-7. Offspring remain within the pack or move out to become lone wolves.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6973.htmlHOME |
I was wondering if wolves or bears ever mate within their pack. How do they know if the other is a part of their family? Basically, is incest an issue?
Wolves mate within their pack, which isn't the same thing as mating within their family. One dog wolf does most the mating with his female fans, and does his damndest to make sure no other dog wolf scents a chance. Older sons got driven away. If another adult male wanders by, then the rules of the game allow him to challenge the dominant male and, if successful, to throw him out. The newcomer then takes over the harem.
Chapter 6 ANIMALS::
(3) During travel, animals must be confined within an automobile or restrained by shall be unlawful for any person to breed, raise, keep or have in his possession
http://www.ci.killeen.tx.us/cikilleen/Boards&Commissions/Chapter6.pdfHOME |
Bears don't live in packs.
Generally speaking, no. Wolves show marked reluctance to breed when the only available mates are their relatives. A wolf pack is basically an extended family, led by a dominant pair known as the alpha male and female, who are the pack's only breeding pair. They are very rarely related. The rest of the pack is made up of their siblings and/or offspring. Some of the alpha pair's young will stay with the pack for life, others will leave and seek mates of their own from other packs - this is how new packs get started.
Bears do not live in groups - cubs leave their mothers when they reach independence and move away to find territories of their own, thereby avoiding any chance of breeding with their relatives.
Indeed, most animals have social systems which are designed to avoid incest, as it can lead to detrimental conditions such as deformities and less robust immune systems. Species which often inbreed usually do not last very long because of these things, and become extinct.
i dont know about bears..but my dogs has had sex with their father/brother etc. i was disgusted and killed them for it. so i guess wolves would too.
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Do wolves or like-animals breed within their family?