Lone Wolf: Surviving in the Wild

April 03, 2019 2 min read 9 Comments

Lone Wolf: Surviving in the Wild

There goes a saying, "For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack” but what if one wolf got separated from the bunch? Let’s discover that sometimes one finds strength by going the solitary road.


The bond between the wolf pack seems as strong as glue in spite of intra pack fighting and fierce hierarchies. Wolf packs are led by alpha males and alpha females with individuals that play unique and important roles that help the collective survival.

So going back to the original question, what happens if one wolf got separated from his natal pack? Wolf experts calls this process as dispersal. In most cases, dispersal occurs between the ages of 1 and 2 years old, timely for sexual maturity.

One more compelling reason that pushes a wolf to hit the road is the aggression from the pack’s dominant wolves. For instance, an omega wolf or a sickly alpha wolf that can no longer lead its pack may be picked on or physically challenged to the point of leaving the group.

Especially when food is scarce, the weaker wolves may not receive adequate nutrition and leave out of necessity. Male and female wolves may disperse from packs, although in some regions, such as south-central Alaska, males may do so more frequently.

Leaving the pack means leaving the protection of that the pack offers. Because wolves are territorial in nature, loners must be cautious about entering lands that belongs to other packs. For them to find food safely, a lone wolf may need to search 100 miles away from this territories.

Or a lone wolf may "float" between the borders of pack territories, checking scent marks to make sure that it isn’t in danger. To further hide its location, a lone wolf limits its howling because it could give away its whereabouts to enemies. The exception is if a wolf accidentally gets lost from the pack, it will howl to signal its location.

Dispersal doesn't always lead to a life of loneliness. A young lone wolf may eventually cross another pack and challenge the weak alpha wolf in order to take over. However, very few wolves will simply remain lone wolves; as such, these lone wolves may be stronger, more aggressive and far more dangerous than the average wolf that is a member of a pack.

Even if lone wolves track down mates, the odds are against them. Without the support of the pack, they're more likely to die. But just because a wolf leaves its home doesn't mean it's gone forever. If a lone wolf can't succeed on its own, it may eventually return to its natal pack.

In conclusion, wolves need the pack to survive. We humans can learn a lot from lone wolves. We always need someone to cope with challenges that life brings.

But sometimes going to the road less taken can lead to some opportunities often not experienced when going with the flow and eventually finding one’s self. I want to finish the article from an old African Proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together ".
Written by James Miranda

9 Responses

Susie
Susie

May 06, 2019

Terence…I did what your thinking about doing I found the grass no greener else where in time I long to return to what I had but it was to late.. I finally learn the hard way there is nothing on this earth that can make you happy that your happiness can only be found inside you we make our own happiness if you think happy you’ll find away to be that if you look at the negative things in your life you’ll never be happy no matter where you are or who your with make the life your living right now into what you want it to be ..good luck to you

Wolvestuff
Wolvestuff

April 17, 2019

Stay Strong, Wolf pack! Lisa Sloan and Terrence, Wolvestuff is with you!

Lisa Sloan
Lisa Sloan

April 17, 2019

Wolves mate forever don’t they? I lost my husband after almost 12 years, what happens when a wolves mate dies?I know I can’t move forward , do wolves ever die because they’re mate died?

Linda Ewens
Linda Ewens

April 17, 2019

We humans can learn a lot fr the wolf, be ît the pack or the lone wolf.

Mary Southall
Mary Southall

April 17, 2019

Such a beautiful story and so true

Jenny Gaunson
Jenny Gaunson

April 10, 2019

Beautiful and so true.

Peter sweet
Peter sweet

April 10, 2019

The lone wolf will find it’s way when the time is right for him.

Len Harris
Len Harris

April 10, 2019

The stronger Wolf always leads his pack
Wolves have feeling just as we do. They show happiness. Respect. Love. Strength
We all show the way of the Wolf in one way or another. If the Wolf needs to know he is Respected and his pack is devoted to each other. Save our Wolves. Losing one always leaves a whole in your heart that’s why you always need each other to stand together

Terence
Terence

April 17, 2019

I’ve have this itch inside of me…I’m 42 & married… I’m dead inside. I feel like packing up & see where the road takes me. I feel for adventure, new beginnings & new life… I want a new identity & new challenges…thinking of taking the road unknown & just wondering in the wild to rediscover myself. Should I?

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