Why do we play winter as a "lean time"?

[Dawali Amara]

I always based it on how wolves in Norway have a harder time in winter because of the lack of plants. Prey will be starving and dying because of the lack of food, but more importantly they migrate southward. Pair that up with there being young ones around in spring/summer, and the wolves have a generally harder time getting enough food for everyone in winter. In winter mothers are still trying to feed their young ones, as well, and their death toll is afaik highest in winter due to lack of food :3

But the situation may vary geographically, I guess - it could also depend on what type of area they live in (what types of prey are around in general, what competition they have for prey) and the max/min temperature in the area, maybe? :3