The gray wolf, also known as the timber wolf, is the largest member of the canine family. Once common throughout North America and Eurasia, wolves were poisoned or hunted to near extinction. Sizable wolf populations are now found only in Alaska, Minnesota, Canada and parts of Europe and Asia. Small numbers of wolves live in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Wolves inhabit remote northern forests and arctic tundra regions where prey populations are plentiful and humans are scarce.

With a few exceptions, wolves live in groups called packs. A pack consists of a dominant pair, their current offspring, and other non-breeding adults. In May or June the dominant female bears a litter of four to six pups in an underground den. When the pups are small, other pack members bring food to the mother. As the pups get bigger, pack members take turns bringing them food, playing with them and even “babysitting” when the mother herself goes hunting.

At about two months of age, the pups emerge from their den. The adults then move them to a meadow or open area known as a “rendezvous site” that is near dense forest or other cover. The young are left there, sometimes with a subordinate adult, when adults go off together to hunt. All members of the pack cooperate in feeding, protecting, and training the pups.

Pack members form strong social bonds and have a structured dominance rank. Dominance rank order changes as wolves age or get injured and younger wolves mature and gain strength, confidence, and understanding. Mature young wolves often leave to form their own packs.

Wolves communicate with each other using body language, facial gestures, scent marks and a complex array of vocal expressions. The best studied wolf vocalization is the howl, which is used to call the pack together, to locate each other, to proclaim territorial rights, or for pure pleasure. Wolves are considered to be one of nature’s most intelligent animals.

Text © 1996 Dianne Harrah, Drawing © 1996 Bill Harrah.
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The red wolf of North America, now extinct in the wild, was once common in the southeastern United States. Preferred habitat included marshes, swampy forests and mountain forests.

In the wild, the red wolf’s diet consisted of a variety of small prey such as crayfish, rodents and rabbits - and, occasionally, deer.

The red wolf’s young are born in the spring, three or four pups in a litter. Both parents participate in raising the offspring.

Text © 1994 Dianne Harrah, Drawing © 1994 Bill Harrah.

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The information for the written description of each animal has been carefully researched by the authors and is believed to be accurate. New scientific observations, however, could make some information out-of-date. If you are a professional zoologist, and have new information that you are willing to share, please contact Dianne Harrah .