New research shows that grey wolves are changing their diets due to climate change. They are now eating tougher foods, like bones, to get enough nutrients during warmer weather. This study comes from the University of Bristol and the Natural History Museum.
The scientists looked at wolf teeth from three different time periods. They examined samples from around 200,000 years ago, when summers were similar to today but with colder winters. They also studied teeth from about 125,000 years ago, a time of warmer summers and milder winters. Finally, they analyzed modern-day wolves in Poland, where winters are getting warmer.
Using a method called Dental Microwear Texture Analysis (DMTA), researchers noted tiny scratches and pits on wolf molars. These marks give clues about the animal’s diet before it died, often referred to as the “last supper” effect. Professor Danielle Schreve from the University of Bristol noted that the fossil teeth showed different patterns. “Wolves from the warmer periods consumed harder food than those from colder periods, indicating they were eating carcasses more completely,” she explained.
Interestingly, today’s wolves in Poland display similar dietary patterns, suggesting they face ecological stress from warming temperatures. Dr. Amanda Burtt, one of the study’s lead authors, pointed out that wolves seem to be working harder to find nutrition in warmer climates. This means more scavenging and eating parts of prey they usually avoid.
Wolves thrive in cold winters where thick snow makes it easier for them to hunt. Warmer winters disrupt this balance, making hunting tougher and forcing wolves to change their feeding strategies. In Poland, some wolves manage to adapt by hunting deer and boars near farms or scavenging roadkill. However, wolves farther from human areas might struggle more due to fewer food options.
Dr. Neil Adams from the Natural History Museum emphasizes the importance of fossil studies for conservation today. He believes understanding the past can help with modern conservation efforts. This research indicates that climate change is a significant factor in planning for wolf conservation, which needs to be adjusted as temperatures rise.
According to a 2022 survey by the World Wildlife Fund, around 50% of large carnivores are facing threats from climate change and habitat loss. This should raise alarms since it mirrors findings from fossil records, which indicate that such changes can have long-term impacts on species survival. The research was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and involved collaborations with several universities.
The study highlights the urgent need to consider climate change in conservation strategies for wolves and other large carnivores. For detailed insights, you can refer to the study published in Ecology Letters: ‘Climate change challenges Grey Wolf resilience: Insights from Dental Microwear‘.
