Life In The Pack
Wolf families are called packs. The pack usually consists of the alpha pair-the mother and father wolves, and their offspring. Each wolf inside of the pack has their own rank. The alpha wolves are at the top of the pack. The wolf with the least stats-the omega wolf-has the least privileges in the pack. The subordinate wolves are the regular "packer" wolves in the pack. They hunt and go on border patrols, as well as watch over the pups. (see the wolf Hierarchy page for more information.)
A wolf pack usually contains about 6-8 wolves, though some packs may contain up to 20 wolves. A pack this large may eventually split; a fraction of the pack may go off and become a new wolf pack. Wolves in a pack often get together and howl, but do so at different pitches to create discord. This makes the wolf pack seem much larger to other wolf packs in the area. Wolf pups also enjoy howling with the rest of the pack, but they howl at a higher pitch. Elderly wolves or injured wolves are often cared for by the pack. However sometimes, if the wolf is too weak for the pack and often makes living harder, the wolf may be driven out.
Wolves are very territorial. They need large areas of land to find game to hunt. This is why habitat loss is a serious problem for them. Wolves may travel up to 30 miles (about 48 KM) or more a day to patrol their borders and to find food. A wolf must be very careful about wandering into another territory. Wolves can be killed if they enter another pack's territory.
The alpha wolves are usually the ones who lead the pack in hunting trips or border patrols. When wolves leave to hunt or patrol, the pups are usually left in the care of a baby-sitter wolf. These wolves are often juveniles or omega wolves. The baby-sitters watch over the pups and feed them. However, sometimes, when a wolf pack is small, wolf pups have to be left alone while the pack goes out. This leaves the pups vulnerable to predators and other dangers.
When wolves return from hunting, pups will often rush up to an adult wolf and nip the corners of their mouth. This will trigger the wolf to regurgitate party digested meat for the wolf pup to consume.
Wolves in a pack often enjoy spending family time together. They hunt together, howl together, rear pups together, and play together. Wolves usually stay with their birth pack for about 2 years before dispersing themselves, for reasons no one for sure knows. Perhaps they are driven out, or leave by choice.
A wolf pack usually contains about 6-8 wolves, though some packs may contain up to 20 wolves. A pack this large may eventually split; a fraction of the pack may go off and become a new wolf pack. Wolves in a pack often get together and howl, but do so at different pitches to create discord. This makes the wolf pack seem much larger to other wolf packs in the area. Wolf pups also enjoy howling with the rest of the pack, but they howl at a higher pitch. Elderly wolves or injured wolves are often cared for by the pack. However sometimes, if the wolf is too weak for the pack and often makes living harder, the wolf may be driven out.
Wolves are very territorial. They need large areas of land to find game to hunt. This is why habitat loss is a serious problem for them. Wolves may travel up to 30 miles (about 48 KM) or more a day to patrol their borders and to find food. A wolf must be very careful about wandering into another territory. Wolves can be killed if they enter another pack's territory.
The alpha wolves are usually the ones who lead the pack in hunting trips or border patrols. When wolves leave to hunt or patrol, the pups are usually left in the care of a baby-sitter wolf. These wolves are often juveniles or omega wolves. The baby-sitters watch over the pups and feed them. However, sometimes, when a wolf pack is small, wolf pups have to be left alone while the pack goes out. This leaves the pups vulnerable to predators and other dangers.
When wolves return from hunting, pups will often rush up to an adult wolf and nip the corners of their mouth. This will trigger the wolf to regurgitate party digested meat for the wolf pup to consume.
Wolves in a pack often enjoy spending family time together. They hunt together, howl together, rear pups together, and play together. Wolves usually stay with their birth pack for about 2 years before dispersing themselves, for reasons no one for sure knows. Perhaps they are driven out, or leave by choice.
Lifespan
In the wild, wolves usually live an average of eight years. Elderly wolves are normally cared for and respected in wolf packs, however, in times of famine, disease or drought, sick or weak wolves sometimes are driven out or even killed. It may seem cruel, but its nature's way of making sure the fittest survive.