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| Wolf Pups |
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| Wolf pups are born after a gestation period of 9 weeks. Wolves are born in litters of 2-10 pups. When first born wolf pups need to stay close to their mothers for warmth and protection. They can not see or hear. The first few weeks of their lives are spent in the den where they spend the majority of their time sleeping and eating. Their eyes open after two weeks and they can hear and walk after three weeks. The pups are introduced to the rest of the pack when they are about a month old. Once the pups leave the den they are cared for by the entire pack. At this point they begin to bond with other wolves in the pack. The other pack members bring food to the pups and watch for predators, like eagles and hawks that might take the pups. When the pups are about nine weeks old the pack moves from the den area to a site where the pups can safely play while the rest of the pack hunts. Playful behavior like chasing, pouncing, fighting and even playfully attacking of older wolves helps the pups develop skills needed for later survival. Wolf pups do not begin to hunt until they are approximately one year old. Wolves generally mate between January and April, so that the pups will have grown in strength and possibly be hunting by the time the next winter arrives. Generally wolves are not sexually mature enough to mate until they are three years old |
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