Wolf Packs
               



-Wolves live in family groups called packs.  Most packs have about 8 members in them, but some are as big as 20.  Many zoologists believe the members of a pack remain together because of their strong affection towards one another.

-Most packs form by a wolf leaving another pack and becoming a lone wolf.  This wolf will usually then find a mate, another lone wolf, and then form a pack of its own. Wolf packs are formed for many reasons: like to help provide protection and care for the young, to help out with hunting for food, and to help defend the wolves’ territory.

-Each wolf pack has a social order called dominance hierarchy.  Every member of the pack has a certain rank in the hierarchy.  The high-ranking members, called dominant wolves, dominate the low-ranking members of the pack, known as subordinate wolves.  Everyday the wolves of the pack show their rank to each other by using body language when they meet.  The dominant wolf stands erect, holds its tail aloft, and points its ears up and forward.  Sometimes it may even show its teeth and growl.  The subordinate wolf crouches, holds its tail between its legs, and turns down its ears.  Sometimes it may also whine.

-Each pack lives within a specific area called a territory.  The size of a packs territory usually depends on the availability of prey in the area.  If prey is scarce, the territory may cover as much as 800 square miles (2,100 square kilometers).  If prey is plentiful, the area may be as small as 30 square miles (77 kilometers).

-Wolves claim a territory by marking it with their scent.  The leader of the pack urinates on rocks, trees, and other objects along the boundaries of the area.  Other wolves know when they have entered a marked territory by this scent.  A pack defends its territory and does not let other wolves hunt there.  Some times trespassing wolves are attacked and chased out of the defended territory.