Wolves are some of the more gregarious of the Northern Rockies carnivores. Wolves (Canis lupus) are rare and endangered in much of their range, and were listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1973. Wolves habitat range has shrunk considerably in the past 300 or so years, largely they have been extensively hunted by people. The wolf was almost pushed out of the Northern Rockies, with only a small population holding on in Northwest Montana. Their populations have made a significant comeback though with the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park.

Wolves travel and live in packs which include a dominant mated pair, their offspring, and an assortment of other adults, often with some genetic relationship to the first family.

What do wolves look like?

Wolves resemble German shepherd or malamute dogs physically, though wolves have longer legs, bigger feet, bigger heads and longer snouts than do similar sized dogs. Wolves do vary a great deal in size, and most male wolves weigh between 50-100 pounds and females usually weigh between 40-90 pounds. Wolves come in a variety of colors, from pure white to solid black, although most are a grizzled gray-brown color, like the one in the photo above. Wolves tend to have very thick coats that consist of a soft, insulating undercoat and long guard hairs that repel moisture. Most wolves have golden-yellow eyes.

What do wolves eat?

Wolves are carnivores, meaning that most of their diet consists of meat. Wolves are primarily predators of large mammals, and these animals make up most of a wolf's diet. Wolves will also eat smaller animals, but overall, most of their food comes from ungulates (hoofed mammals). Wolves will also scavenge food, and will (rarely) prey upon domestic livestock.

What type of habitat do wolves need?

Wolves once occupied a vast array of habitats well into the temperate and even subtropical and desert areas. Now, however, they are generally rare or absent except in northern forests and arctic tundra. A wolf pack’s territory may cover 20-120 square miles.