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Wolves
Reproduction
In the NWT wolves mate in late
March. The gestation period is 60 to 65 days with litters of four to seven pups
born in late May or early June. About 3 weeks before the birth of the pups, the
female completes digging her den, which may have been started 2 to 3 weeks
before. In many areas wolves will reuse old dens that are in ideal locations and
have been used for generations.
 Most wolf dens are
burrows in the ground, usually in sandy soil. They may be new, or they may
be enlarged dens of other animals, particularly foxes. Sometimes, rock
caves or shallow surface beds are used. On the tundra and on the taiga,
where permafrost makes digging difficult, wolves often den in sandy
eskers, or creek and riverbanks. Dens usually face south, are situated
near water and in a high area which can be used as a lookout. Wolves often use the same den throughout the
denning period, however, some wolves may have several dens in their denning
area. If the dens are threatened or disturbed
by people or bears they can quickly move the pups to a new location.
Wolf pups are born blind and deaf. They are
darkly furred, their heads are rounded, ears are small and noses blunt. They
weigh about 0.5 kg each and are completely dependent on their mothers. For the
first 3 weeks of life, the pups remain inside the den. Then, when their eyes are
open and they can crawl about, they begin investigating the den opening and the
outside world. A wolf family may move more than once when the pups are very
young, but with the exception of these moves, pups do not travel far from home
during their first summer.
Usually in each wolf pack, one pair is dominant and normally these animals
breed. As wolves become adults and are sexually mature, they will separate from
their natal pack and start their own pack. In some cases more than one adult
female in a pack may have pups. In this situation, the pack may remain together
or split into separate packs. Other pack members may care for the pups, taking
turns feeding them and babysitting.
Feeding the pups occupies much of
the adults’ time throughout the summer. An old Russian proverb states that
"The wolf is kept fed by his feet." Adults may travel as far as 25 or
30 km to bring back food. Food is carried by mouth, or swallowed and carried in
the stomach, which acts like an "internal packsack". Food is
regurgitated by the adults in response to the pups biting at the corners of the
adult’s mouth.
When the pups are about 2 months old, the family may leave the den and move to
an open grassy plain, an old burn or a marshy area. In this "loafing
spot" or "rendezvous", the wolves feed, rest and play until the
pups are old enough to travel. Wolves in some areas remain at the den until they
are ready to travel with the adults. The den may give the pups some protection
if grizzly bears are in the area. The pups develop strong attachments to each
other as they play, and as they grow older the social bond between pups and
adults strengthens. A wolf family may stay together for years, hunting and traveling
as a pack. Although more pups are born every year, pack size does not always
increase. This is likely the result of high mortality of pups during their first
year.
When wolves reach mating age, usually during the second year, rivalry for mates
may cause the pack to split. Pack members may leave and start a new family or
single wolves may disperse by themselves. Although the term "lone
wolf" is commonly heard, it is unusual for a wolf to live alone for long
and single wolves often join or form new packs. However, existing packs are not
always amenable to new members and may attack, injure or even kill a stranger. |
