Wolves are described as having the greatest natural range of any terrestrial mammal, excluding humans. Most wolves in Alaska weigh between 85 and 115 pounds with most females rarely reaching more than 110 pounds. Color varies greatly from pure black to almost white. Wolves in southern Alaska tend to be darker and slightly smaller than those in the Arctic.
Wolves are skilled hunters and prey on a variety of species including moose, caribou, hares, beaver, fish, mice and other small mammals. Most wolves hunt and live in packs that range from two to thirty wolves; six or seven is the average.
Breeding occurs January through March and the pups are born in late May to early June. Litter size varies from two to thirteen but averages four to seven pups. Females usually will produce a litter every year. The packs usually include the parents and the current year’s pups. The young are usually not able to kill large game for themselves until late winter when they have reached adult size.
