Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
Gray wolves, commonly called timber wolves, are one of the most social and majestic predators on the planet. Although they are still considered endangered and remain threatened in Minnesota, they are making a comeback and their population is considered stable. It is currently estimated that there are nearly two hundred and fifty thousand wolves in the world, with the vast majority of them being gray wolves. In February 2022, they were placed into protection under the Endangered Species Act, in the lower forty-eight states and Mexico, except the Northern Rocky Mountain population.
They have a coat that consists of a mixture of gray and brown fur with creamy, buff facial markings and underbellies, but can also contain black, red, or white fur. Depending on where they live, these beautiful canines can vary in size. Typically, a female weighs anywhere from sixty to one hundred pounds, while the males weigh from seventy to one hundred and forty-five pounds. Most people would compare these creatures to a large German Shepherd dog with an even larger bite. The average German Shepherd has a bite force of around two hundred and thirty-eight PSI, while the Gray Wolf has a bite force of around four hundred PSI, making them the strongest bite of all wolves.
Gray wolves live in packs with around five to ten members, consisting of a dominance established hierarchy. These packs can live in areas that are anywhere from thirty to over one thousand square miles, protecting them from other packs. The alpha male and female are the adult breeding pair and their offspring form the remainder of the pack. The alpha pair maintains a dominant role and guides the pack. The alpha female cares for and defends the pup, while the alpha male hunts for food. Although the male does the majority of the hunting, females are also active in killing prey from time to time.
Generally, wolves communicate by vocalizations, visual communication, and scent marking. Scent marking lets other packs know when they are intruding on their area. Intruders are killed by the pack, while some may be accepted into the pack, although it is rare. The wolves also howl to communicate with their pack and strengthen bonds with one another. Visual communication can be facial expressions or body expressions. The visuals can express anger, dominance, submission, and many other expressions.
Gray wolves usually breed between February and April, with a gestation period of around two months. The litter is born between April and June and can consist of five to six pups. The young stays in a burrow, hollow log, or other forms of a den. All members of the pack care for the pups, making sure they stay healthy and safe. When the pups are weaned from their mother’s milk, they begin to feast on a regurgitated diet for several months. When these pups reach two to three years old, they leave the pack in search of a mate and establish their own, new territory and pack. The pups that stay with their original pack will replace the alpha pair and become the breeding pair.
Featured Photo By: Yannick Menard
