Ravens Don't Follow Wolves, They Predict Their Patterns
A new study reveals that ravens in Yellowstone National Park do not follow wolves but instead use memory to locate their kills. Researchers found that ravens remember areas where wolves frequently make kills and can fly directly to these sites. This challenges the previous assumption that ravens simply shadow wolves for food.
- ▪Ravens rely on spatial memory to find wolf kills rather than following them over long distances.
- ▪The study tracked ravens and wolves in Yellowstone for over two years using GPS devices.
- ▪Researchers discovered that ravens can fly six hours non-stop to reach a kill site they remember.
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Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Telegram Email Reddit Two ravens soar above a wolf pack in Yellowstone. This type of short-distance following is common, but prolonged following is extremely rare. Credit: Daniel Stahler / YNPWhen wolves bring down prey in Yellowstone National Park, ravens often appear almost immediately. Long before the predators finish feeding, the birds gather nearby to grab scraps of meat. Their ability to locate fresh kills so quickly has puzzled observers for years, leading many people to assume that ravens simply follow wolves across the landscape.Ravens Use Memory To Find Wolf KillsA new study suggests the real explanation is far more impressive.
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