THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT RED WOLVES

It goes without saying that Red Wolves, like every other animal, have unique attributes. For example:

1. Red wolves hunt at night, as they are nocturnal animals.

Of course, this means that their main prey is also nocturnal. For example, different types of rodents and raccoons are animals that are part of the Red Wolves' diet.

2. These wolves travel in packs that include 5-8 members.

The reason why Red Wolves travel in packs of 5-8 members is because they are very territorial animals. Like many other wolves, they're biologically hardwired to defend their pack.

3. Red wolves typically have a lifespan of 10-12 years.

This can vary, depending on if they are in a controlled environment like a sanctuary or zoo. If not, their life span can be lowered by a few years, since Red Wolves face a lot more difficulties in the wild.

4. Red wolf parents raise their pups in either hollow trees or in already-made abandoned nests.

Red wolf mothers do this for their pups because the pups are entirely dependent on their mothers when first born. They need that extra protection, as well as a safe place to eat. The pups also have eyes that are tiny and closed when they are first born, which means that they need a lot of protection.

5. Even though Red wolves mainly have a carnivorous diet, they can also eat berries and insects.

Pups can survive on a diet of berries and insects before growing to full adulthood.

6. Red wolves are also known as Florida wolves.

They are native to Florida, hence why another name for Red wolves is Florida wolves. Whether you knew this fact or not, the Red Wolves' native Floridian nature makes them perfect Edgewood mascots.

7. Unlike some other wolves, Red wolves seem to not have any natural predators.

Other wolves' predators include grizzly bears, polar bears, and Siberian tigers- animals that are hard to find in Florida.

8. They were listed as critically endangered in 2015.

The Red Wolves' endangered status is largely due to hunting, poaching, and habitat destruction. For that reason, the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan was created, intended to help Red Wolves grow a stronger wild population through captive breeding efforts.

9. Male and female Red wolves pair bond for life.

There are a lot of theories about why Red Wolves choose one partner for life, but one common theory is that a strong partnership helps them to defend their weak pups in childhood.

By knowing more about Red Wolves and what they're like (and also learning a few fun facts along the way), Edgewood students can have a better understanding of and connection to our new mascot. Understanding Red Wolves is important in order to have a greater appreciation of them, so every Edgewood student should learn more about the history and characteristics of our new mascot: the Red Wolf.