PD: Informational Text Organization

Wolf paws are useful for running on snow. Between each toe is a web that acts like a snowshoe and holds the wolf on the surface. Wolves have large feet. Each paw carries equal weight. The front paws are larger than the hind paws and have an extra toe. Their feet grip slippery surfaces because they are covered with coarse hairs. Special blood vessels keep paw pads from freezing.

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Step by step, we set up base camp for the week in the mountains. First, we staked out a flat space for the tents and marked the cooking, kitchen, and latrine areas. Next, we pitched the tents and drove the main anchor pins into the ground. Then, we moved in equipment, such as folding tables and chairs. Finally, we set up cots and prepared to sleep in comfort.

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Bringing wolves back to Yellowstone National Park did not harm the elk herds. Since wolves will almost always hunt game that is least risky to bring down, the old and sick elk were their first choice for prey. Until the wolves returned, old and ailing elk cows had been able to live and reproduce, damaging the health of the elk herds. In addition, when the elk retreated to the forest to hide from the wolves, plants along the river banks where elk had grazed could grow back, which benefited the birds and fish. In all, the return of the wolves was a boon to the entire park, including the elk.

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Wolves kill sheep, but is shooting the wolves the best way to prevent it? Other methods are being tried that seem to be equally effective. Some ranchers use guard dogs. Bright lights also seem to deter wolves from killing sheep. Even making flags of fabric and putting them around sheep pens has kept sheep safe. More methods need to be tried so that wolves and sheep can live together.

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Dogs and wolves are closely related mammals, but in many ways they are quite different. Both dogs and wolves are from the same family of canines. They both like to live in packs and eat meat. Both usually have litters of 4-6 pups. However, dogs are domesticated, and wolves are wild and difficult to demonstrate. Whereas, some breeds of dogs are bred for hunting; wolves must hunt in order to survive. Dogs tend to have smaller skulls, smaller teeth, and smaller brains than wolves. A larger brain makes wolves generally smarter than dogs. The paw of a dog is about half the size of a wolf paw. Because dogs and wolves are closely related, they can mate, but they are quite different animals.

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