50 wolf facts

50 interesting facts about the wolf that you may or may not know!

1. Wolves live in packs of three to seven on average, however there is documentation of packs with as many as 36 members.
2. The scientific name for wolf is Canis lupus.
3. The wolf’s average life span is  7 – 10 years.
4. Wolves in captivity can live 16 years.
5. Wolves weigh on average 75 – 100 pounds.
6. The heaviest recorded wolf was 175 pounds (79 kg).
7. Most wolves mate during the period from January to April.
8. They usually mate only once a year.
9. Wolves like to hunt in packs.
10. Wolves are carnivores.
11. Young wolves leave the pack at around the age of 1 – 2 years old.
12. If a wolf cannot find meat, he has been known to eat insects, berries, and plants.
13. Wolves can grow to approximately 5 feet long.
14. Adult females are on average half an inch shorter than adult males.
15. The dominant male/female pair in a wolf pack is called the Alpha Pair.
16. The dominant individual in the pack is called the Alpha.
17. An average litter size is 6.
18. Wolves can be many different colors including white, grey, red, and black.
19. The only natural predator of the wolf is the human.
20. Wolves have 42 teeth.
21. Baby wolves can be called pups, cubs, or whelps.
22. Baby wolves are born deaf and blind.
23. Beta wolves are second in position in a pack.
24. The lowest position in the wolf pack is the omega wolf.
25. A wolf can exert 1500 pounds of pressure per square inch with it’s jaw.
26. Wolves can swim up to 8 miles.
27. They walk at a speed of approximately 4 miles per hour.
28. They run at a speed of approximately 10 imles per hour.
29. Some wolves can run as fast as 35 miles per hour if they need arises.
30. Wolves can hear as far as 10 miles.
31. They can roam as much as 50 miles per day.
32. Wolves tend to avoid human contact.
33. They can eat as much as 20 to 30 pounds of food at once.
34. They are part of the canine family.
35. The wolf coat has two layers – guard hairs and underfur.
36. A wolf’s sense of smell is at least 100 times better than that of a human.
37. They typically travel in single file.
38. Their paws can be as much as 6 inches long.
39. They are considered full grown at 18 months of age.
40. Gray wolves are active mostly at night.
41. A wolf howl can travel for miles.
42. They walk on the tips of their toes.
43. Wolves usually hunt at night.
44. There are 5 to 14 pups in a litter.
45. Wolves groom each other.
46. Howls are used to communicate.
47. All adults in a pack care for the pups.
48. They have rounded ears.
49. They shed their fur in the spring and summer.
50. They use their tails to help keep their face warm in cold weather.