The wolf is a cunning, yet noble, predator. Legendary for its hunting prowess, it inspires wonder and awe.

The Gray Wolf, also known as the “Timber Wolf,” is the largest member of the Wild Canid Family. They once had claim to the largest natural range of any animal species, surpassed only by humans. Their populations covered the entire continental northern hemisphere. Gray Wolves require large areas of contiguous forest that support stable populations of their preferred prey. The Wolf’s territories can vary from 80 to 300 square miles. The size of their territory depends heavily on the number of prey species that inhabit the region.

Gray Wolves are social animals and will form packs of up to 12 members. The pack consists of a dominant or “Alpha” male and female, their offspring, and other wolves not related to the dominate pair. All of the wolves have a rank that determines their roles and hierarchy in the pack. Mating is usually limited to the Alpha pair although it is not uncommon for the Alpha male to mate with subordinate females as well. Raising the Wolf pups is a responsibility shared by all of the members of the pack.

The Alpha female will have litters of up to 6 pups each year. During their first month pups depend totally on their mother’s milk. They are gradually weaned so that by the time they are seven months old they are ready to begin hunting with the adults. Young Wolves typically stay in the pack for two or three years. Eventually they will leave to join other packs or to find a mate and form their own pack.