Wolves

Grey wolves (Canis lupus) are the largest member of the dog family. A male wolf can weigh up to 70 kilograms (154 lbs)! Female wolves are typically smaller, weighing up to 50 kg (110 lbs). The colouration of grey wolves differs from variations of grey and black, to brown and red, to a near pure white. With a thick, outer layer of guard hairs and a soft undercoat, grey wolves stay warm through the subarctic winter.

Wolves live and hunt in packs of up to 12 or more related individuals. It is not uncommon to find lone wolves or smaller groups. They are territorial, with a range that spans from 75 to 2500 square kilometres, depending on food availability. To avoid conflict with other packs, wolves howl and scent mark their ranges.

Each pack has a dominant breeding pair, considered the matriarch and patriarch of the family. This pair are typically the only wolves in the group to breed and produce offspring. The dominant female will have an average litter of six pups each spring. Under ideal conditions, these pups will be raised in a den for the first few months. At five months of age, they’ll be ready to travel with the group!

Wolves are a predator for many species, including birds, small mammals, caribou and moose. Wolves in the Churchill area are sometimes bold enough to prey on polar bear cubs. By working together as a team, wolves can take down prey 10 times their size. Packs will single out young, old or weak individuals within caribou herds. Though most of their diet consists of ungulates such as moose and caribou, they are known to consume berries, bird eggs and carrion.