Wolves use a 'direct register' walking style that reduces energy consumption by up to 33% during long-distance travel.

Direct registering is a biomechanical efficiency found in apex predators like wolves and cougars. By placing the rear foot in the exact spot previously occupied by the front foot, the animal steps on a stable, tested surface—especially critical in deep snow or dense undergrowth where each step demands significant energy expenditure.Research from the University of Minnesota and the International Wolf Center demonstrates that this gait reduces the metabolic cost of locomotion. For a wolf weighing 32 to 45 kg, this efficiency can mean the difference between survival and starvation during winter. The single-track pattern also minimizes the animal's physical profile, making it harder for prey to detect their approach through sound or visual cues.Tracking data from the National Park Service in Yellowstone shows that wolf packs cover 48 to 80 km in a single 24-hour period. This movement is facilitated by their digitigrade posture—walking on their toes rather than the soles of their feet. This combination of direct registering and digitigrade movement enables maximum stealth and endurance. By conserving roughly one-third of their energy through this walking style, wolves maintain the explosive power needed for the final chase of a hunt.