Amazing Animals: Wolf Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
1 min
Amazing Animals: Wolf Quiz
Image: James Gritz/DigitalVision/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Thousands of years ago, domestic dogs split off from wild wolves -- we can still see common behaviors in both animals, such as stalking, hunting and playfulness. But life in a wolf pack is extremely regimented to maximize the chances for survival. Take the wolf quiz and see if you're the leader of the (knowledge) pack.
Which continent are wolves not native to?
Europe
Africa
Asia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wolves are native to North America, Europe and Asia, although they became extinct in many of their habitats because of human encroachment and hunting.

Why might a wolf voluntarily leave its pack?
old age
prey availability
aggression from pack members
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Injured or subordinate wolves may leave the pack to escape bullying from the other members.

What term is used to describe the lowest-ranking wolf in a pack?
beta wolf
omega wolf
zeta wolf
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The omega wolf is the lowest-ranking wolf in a pack, subordinate to all other pack members.

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How many wolves did wildlife officials bring into the United States to revive the dwindling wolf population in 1995?
14
29
63
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Specialists relocated 29 wolves from Alberta, Canada, to Yellowstone National Park in 1995.

If you encounter a wolf, what should you do to keep safe?
turn around and run the other way
don't utter a word
don't approach closer than 300 feet (91 meters)
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The International Wolf Center recommends not approaching any wolf closer than 300 feet (91 meters), not turning your back on it, and waving your arms and making noise to show your dominance.

Which of the following wolves are the most competitive in packs?
female wolves
beta wolves
adolescent wolves
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wolf packs rarely have more than one female member, because they are extremely aggressive with each other.

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What behavior will alpha wolves exhibit that subordinate pack members won't?
licking other wolves' muzzles
urinating standing up
waiting to eat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As a display of dominance, alpha wolves will urinate standing up rather than squatting.

What are wolves doing when they howl at the moon?
just that -- howling at the moon
communicating with other pack members
locating potential mates
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wolves do not technically howl at the moon. Since they're largely nocturnal, it might appear that wolves are howling at the moon when in fact they're just communicating with other pack members.

What ranking did wolf expert Shaun Ellis hold in the pack he lived with?
alpha
beta
omega
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ellis assumed the lowest rank, the omega wolf, while living with the pack in England's Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park.

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Which of the following is not a benefit of wolf pack life?
group hunting
mating
protection
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In most wolf packs, only the alpha male and female mate.

You Got:
/10
James Gritz/DigitalVision/Getty Images