Wolves

Wolves are wild members of the dog family. They are the ancestors of all pet dogs. Wolves live in packs of 6 to 10 members. They are found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Wolves are known for their haunting howls.

Pack Life

A wolf pack is like a family. It is led by two parents called the alpha male and alpha female. The whole pack helps raise the puppies. Wolves work together to hunt large animals like deer, elk, and moose. Teamwork makes them successful hunters.

A map showing where gray wolves live around the world.
A map showing where gray wolves live around the world. (Mariomassone (talk) 23:28, 5 December 2019 (UTC) / Wikimedia Commons)

Communication

Wolves communicate using howls, barks, growls, and body language. They howl to find other pack members and to warn other packs to stay away. A wolf's howl can be heard up to 10 miles away. Wolves also use facial expressions and tail positions to show their feelings.

Fun Facts

  • Wolves can run up to 40 miles per hour in short bursts.
  • A wolf's sense of smell is 100 times better than a human's.
  • Wolf pups are born deaf and blind.

Did You Know?

Wolves were once nearly wiped out in the United States, but conservation efforts have brought them back to places like Yellowstone National Park, where they help keep the ecosystem balanced.