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Physiology
Gray wolves range in color from gray to black to white, and they are often multicolored. They closely resemble German shepherds in build, features and coloration, and they exhibit broad skulls and muzzles with triangular ears. The height at their shoulders is more elevated than at their rumps, making them appear slightly crouched over. They are muscular and athletic with large rib cages, long legs and bushy tails, which are usually black-tipped. They have small paws, with five toes on the front paws and four toes on the back paws. Their dense fur coats provide warmth in the winter, and their blood flow is capable of slowing in freezing temperatures to produce additional warmth. The warmth of their footpads is regulated independently from the rest of their bodies. Their dental structure is similar to that of a coyote's, with large jaws and teeth that are adapted for bone crushing. Gray wolves weigh between 60 and 130 pounds.
Diet
Large, hoofed animals are the predominant prey of the gray wolf. White-tailed deer, caribou, hares, goats, bison, beavers, birds and some rodents serve as food sources. Gray wolves are carnivores that hunt for their food in packs. They may scavenge when food is scarce, and they have been known to prey on livestock and consume garbage.
Behavior
Gray wolves travel and hunt together in groups that average six to 10 members. They possess excellent stamina and can travel for long stretches of time and distance without growing tired. Gray wolves are stationary during the spring and summer and use this time to establish dens to rear pups. Dens consist of fissures in cliffs or holes in banks that are covered by vegetation. Gray wolves become nomadic during the fall and winter, and they travel by night. They are extremely territorial and will defend their range from other packs by scent marking, and sometimes direct attacks occur between wolf packs. Packs are constructed of nuclear family units, which include a mated pair, offspring and the occasional adopted stray wolves. Once gray wolves choose mates they become mated for life. Infants are born naked and blind after a 63-day gestation period. After nine days they can open their eyes and are covered with fur. Young wolves mature rapidly and sexually mature by two to three years of age. All wolves communicate by howling, growling, barking and whining.
Habitat
Gray wolves are found throughout the northern hemisphere. They wander freely through Canada, Mexico and various parts of the United States. They are adapted to various habitats, including arctic tundra, prairies, forests and deserts.