There is an endangered speicies of wolves. They killed farmer's livestock for food so the farmers killed them. They were found in Yellowstone National Park in 1995, and there are no fences around Yellowstone. Sometimes the wolves would wander out and kill livestock. I have to make up 2 food chains based on this information. I already have one: livestock --> wolves --> humans

Question

There is an endangered speicies of wolves. They killed farmer's livestock for food so the farmers killed them. They were found in Yellowstone National Park in 1995, and there are no fences around Yellowstone. Sometimes the wolves would wander out and kill livestock. I have to make up 2 food chains based on this information. I already have one: livestock --> wolves --> humans

What should my other food chain be? Please help!

What was the wolf eating before it got hooked on beef? With the wolves dead, something has to pick up the slack in that chain.

The wolves just ate meat, I guess it ate meat that wasn't from the livestock before, just wild animals. I think that more livestock were produced due to the lack of wolves.

Since humans do not eat wolves, I would not put them above wolves in the food chain.

Do you want to include what the livestock or other prey might eat?

Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "wolves prey" to get these possible sources:

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http://www.wolfcountry.net/information/WolfPrey.html

I hope this helps a little more. Thanks for asking.

Answer 1

Based on the information provided, here is a possible food chain:

1. Grass/wild plants --> Elk --> Wolves --> Scavengers/insects

Explanation of the food chain:

- Grass/wild plants: In Yellowstone National Park, wild plants serve as the primary source of food for many herbivores.
- Elk: Elk are one of the main prey species for wolves in the park. They graze on the grass and wild plants.
- Wolves: Wolves feed on elk as their primary source of food. They hunt and prey on elk to sustain themselves.
- Scavengers/insects: After the wolves have finished feeding on an elk carcass, scavengers such as ravens, magpies, and eagles feed on the remains. Insects may also play a role in breaking down the carcass.

Please note that this is just one example of a potential food chain based on the given information. Depending on the ecosystem and specific circumstances, there may be other organisms involved in the food chain as well.