Wolves & Ravens: An Unlikely Bond

Recently I began reading a rather fascinating book, entitled The Wisdom of Wolves: Lessons from the Sawtooth Pack, by Jim and Jamie Dutcher. It was here that I discovered that wolves have developed a rather astounding relationship with an entirely separate species: ravens.

Turns out that ravens and wolves have a unique, symbiotic relationship; ravens help direct wolves to possible food, wolves tear through tough hides that ravens’ beaks can’t break through, and ravens get first dibs on any scraps the wolves leave behind.

This symbiosis alone is awesome, but the relationship between ravens and wolves doesn’t end there: it seems that they may even have a surprisingly playful companionship. The Dutcher’s describe their time with the Sawtooth Wolf Pack, observing how when the wolves ate, the ravens were often close by looking for a chance to sneak a piece from them. When a raven did attempt to steal a wolf’s food, the wolf would snap at the bird, but never in a malicious or violent way — there appeared to be no intention to hurt the ravens, just to remind them that the wolves ate first:

“The ravens at wolf camp actually seemed to enjoy flirting with disaster, making a…