8. Large forest predators

What is a large predator?

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Large predators are large animals that eat other animals by hunting and preying on them. Large predators have strong and sharp teeth, which they use to kill and eat their prey.

The Finnish forests are home to four large predator species: the bear, the lynx, the wolf and the wolverine. Humans have hunted large predators for a long time, which has led to them becoming rare, endangered species. Nowadays, all of the large predator species are protected.

Bear

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The bear is a large animal. Adult bears can weigh up to 200 kilograms. Due to its large size, the bear has no natural enemies, except for humans.

Bears have adapted to life in northern coniferous forests. Their thick fur and fat layers protect them from the cold. The fat layer is also vital during the bear's winter sleep, as it provides energy for the bear during the winter months.

Bears are omnivorous predators. They mostly hunt other large mammals, such as moose and reindeer, but they can also eat smaller mammals, such as voles. During the autumn, they also eat berries.

Wolf

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The wolf is a canine predator. Other forest-dwelling canines include the fox and the raccoon dog. Dogs are also canines, and they are actually descended from wolves.

The wolg is a relatively small animal compared to other large predators. It weighs only approximately 50 kilograms.

Wolves live in packs. The pack is led by a couple of elder wolves. The other members of the pack are usually their descendants.

Wolves are efficient hunters. They often work in a pack and surround a prey so it cannot escape. The prey is divided between the members of the pack.

Wolf packs have large territories. They do not let other wolves into this territory.

Wolves usually avoid humans. Wolves that are sometimes found near human habitation are usually starving and have been separated from their pack.

The wolf is an endangered species, which is why it is protected. However, many people are hostile towards wolves. Illegal hunters are the wolves' greatest enemy.

Lynx

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The lynx is a feline predator. It is quick and swift in its movement. It has a good eyesight and it can move almost silently in the dark forest.

Lynxes travel long distances in search for food. This is because the forests of Northern Europe do not contain large numbers of animals that the lynx could use as its pray.

Because lynxes require large territories, they are also quite rare.

The lynx is a protected animal, but it can be hunted with special permission. Its most common prey animals are the mountain hare, the forest raindeer and the white-tailed deer.

Wolverine

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The wolverine is a mustelid predator. Other forest-dwelling mustelids include the badger, the mink and the stoat. Mustelids have long bodies and tails. They are quick predators. Compared to other mustelids, the wolverine is a significantly larger animal.

The wolverine hunts and eats birds, voles, hares and reindeer.

The wolverine is relatively small compared to other large predators: it weighs only about 20 kilograms.

The wolverine is a protected and endangered species.

Terminology

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Large forest predators
Term	Explanation
large predator	A large animal that preys on other animals for food.