Wolf

The wolf is part of the dog family (canus lupus).
Only two species of wolves remain today.
The Gray Wolf and the Timber Wolf,
the largest in the dog family.
The Red Wolf ( C. rufus) is believed to be almost exstinct
in it's pure form because of interbreeding with the coyote.
Most all wolves are gray in color but balck is common.
These balck wolves can be found in Alaska and Canada also
the White Wolf which is found in higher altitudes.

The wolf establish territories ranging
from 40 to 400 square miles.
They define their ranges with scent
markings and such vocalizations
as growls, barks, and their ledendary howl.
It is said a wolf mates for life.
The nucleus of a wolf pack is the breeding
pair being the Alpha male and the Alpha female.
The Alpha female is the only one in the pack to give birth,
she usually gives birth once a year to 4 to 6 pups.
The other wolves in the pack are what is called helpers.
They help raise the children and get food for the pack.
Wolf packs often vary in size but can number as high as 30.

Pups are usually born in a cave,
den, or a hole in the ground.
Female wolves often use the same den year after year.
After they are born they drink from their mothers milk.
At about three weeks or so they
will start eating meat which
is brought to them in the stomach of and adult wolf.
The pup will bite the lower lip causing
the adult to vomit the meat and the pups will eat.

Wolves are preditors which means
they will hunt down and kill other animals for food,
They do not eat humans.
Wolves eat mostly deer, elk, moose, and bufflo.
They try to get the sick, old, or young.
Needing three to ten pounds of meat a day.
Their bodies are designed to feast or famine.

Wolves often travel twenty miles per day.
They walk five miles an hour and can run up to 40 miles and hour.
An average wolf stands 32 inches from chest.
They can weight over a hundred pounds
up to a hundred and seventy-five.