05/01/2026
Up in the far north, Arctic wolves have been spotted doing something that seems odd at first.
They drag salmon out of rivers, even though swallowing the fish whole can be dangerous. Salmon often carry heavy parasite loads, and eating the flesh straight away can make a wolf seriously ill, or even kill it.
So why take the risk?
Because the wolves are not the only ones at the meal.
Once a salmon is hauled onto the bank, birds quickly show up. Ravens, gulls, and other scavengers tear into the fish, eating the sections most likely to be loaded with parasites. These birds are not affected the same way, so they can feed safely.
And what they leave behind matters.
After the birds finish, the remaining pieces are cleaner and safer for the wolves to eat. By waiting and letting the birds go first, the wolves turn a risky catch into a meal they can handle.
It is a good reminder that wild animals do not survive only by speed or strength. Sometimes they survive by patience, timing, and even a kind of shared routine between different species. In tough environments, knowing when to hold back can be just as important as knowing when to attack.