Gray Wolf
Species Name: Canis Lupus
Current Conservation Status: Low Concern
Physiology:
Physical Characteristics:
American native wolves tend to weigh about 80 pounds, stand
between 26-38 inches at their shoulder and measure 4.5-6.5 feet in length. Grey wolves are sexually dimorphic, for females
tend to weigh 20% less then males, have narrower skulls, and have a slightly smaller frame. Gray Wolves have two layers of
fur, the top tough guard coat for repelling dirt and water, and the water resistant under coat for insulation. The under
coat sheds in the off warmer seasons and thickens in the colder months. The color of coats varies from gray to gray brown,
including reds, whites, and browns. The black coat was introduced through a mutation due to interbreeding with domestic dogs
thousands of years ago. Eye color tends to begin as blues and greens and become browns, golds, and oranges as the wolf ages.
Their bodies are built for stamina and making long distance travels across multiple forms of terrain. A wolf's paw is somewhat
webbed to allow it to tread much quicker upon wet and snowy surfaces. A wolf can travel up to 40mph but tend to pace at about
6mph when walking. The Gray wolf is very distinct from its other wolf cousins.
Reproductive & Life cycle:
The mating season occurs between January and April. The
Alpha male tends to only mate with his partner unless he decides to mate with a subordinate female. Wolves mate for life if
they are allowed in the pack or have their own. There is usually only one litter born per year. Pack tension rises during
the breeding season as young males and those able to mate prepare for females to go into heat. The breeding pair is usually
able to prevent all potential mating pairs from mating. Incest is very rare within packs.
The Bitch remains in heat for up to 60 days after going
into it for the first part of the ovulation cycle. The Gestation Period lasts 60-63 days and usually bears 5-6 pups. Wolves
reach sexual Maturity between age 2 and 3 and generally live to be 6 to 10 years old.
Mortality is generally high. Pups tend to die of starvation
or fall prey to other animals and predators. Those who reach maturity tend ot die due to old age, disease, poaching, wounds
inflicted by prey, other predators, or (the most deadly non-human threat) rival packs.
Communication:
Social Structure:
Wolf Packs are structured in a very simple yet sometimes
complex manner. In captivity they are based on a heirachial manner unlike many wild packs. There is usually an Alpha couple
who are the only ones in the pack to participate in breeding. A subordinate(s) beta(s) who acts as alpha assistants and advisors
in some sense. An omega, lowest of the low who normally stays behind to guard young. And others Who live amongst the pack
and hunt. Wolves normally leave the pack between the age of 1 and 4 or around the time they reach sexual maturity. Sometimes
siblings may leave together or packs may adopt an unrelated 'dispersed wolf'. In the wild packs act much differently
then what was just described. These traits normally apply to those held in captivity or wolves in literature. Though the part
between 'sometimes' and 'dispersed wolf' does apply to wild wolves.
Diet:
A wolf's diet consists of any meat available to carrion
and garbage.
Wolves tend to hunt as a unit but unlike lion prides, they attack in paired units. Wolves tend to stay concealed
if possible when prey is nearby. They wait for their target to become distracted and then launch an attack. If the prey runs
they will give chase for quite a while before allowing the prey to get away. If the prey stands its ground they will approach
and threaten it and continue to do so from a few hours to a few days. Cannibalism is not uncommon and normally occurs during
food shortages, when a pack member dies, or when territory disputes occur. Females are better hunters and packs tend to thrive
on larger game because of which when more females exist in the pack. The main diet of a grey wolf include elk, bison, moose,
deer, rabbits, and small mammels and birds. On some rare occasions, wolves have been spotted fishing in shallow streams.
Behavior:
Wolves have a wide range of moods, personalities, and displays.
They include signs of dominance, submission, Anger, Fear, Defensive, Agressive, Suspicion, relaxation, hunting, tension, happiness,
playfulness.
