Quick answers
| Question | Answer | Scope | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where they live | In many kinds of habitat, wherever there is enough prey and people tolerate them. | Gray wolves, Colorado State page | Colorado State University Extension | |
| What they eat | Mainly elk in the Rocky Mountains, also deer and sometimes moose, plus small mammals, insects and berries. Elk are about 90 percent of the diet in Yellowstone. | Gray wolves in the Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone | Colorado State University Extension | |
| How long they live | About 5 to 6 years on average in natural conditions; up to 14 years in rare cases. | Gray wolves, Colorado State page | Colorado State University Extension | |
| Pack size | About 10 wolves on average in Rocky Mountain areas with little human impact, such as national parks. | Gray wolves, Rocky Mountains | Colorado State University Extension | |
| Pack size elsewhere | Averages 5 at Lake Clark in Alaska; 4 to 8 on Isle Royale. | Lake Clark (Alaska) and Isle Royale (Michigan) | NPS, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve; NPS, Isle Royale National Park | |
| Pups | Mating from January to March, a pregnancy of about two months, then four to six pups in early spring. | Gray wolves, Colorado State page | Colorado State University Extension | |
| How much they weigh | Females 60 to 100 pounds, males 70 to 115 pounds. | Gray wolves, Colorado State page | Colorado State University Extension |
In the sources’ own words
Where they live
Colorado State University Extension, Wolf Taxonomy and Biology“…can live in a variety of habitat types, wherever there is enough prey and where they are tolerated by humans.”
Scope: Gray wolves, Colorado State page
What they eat
Colorado State University Extension, Wolf Taxonomy and Biology“In the Rocky Mountains, wolves feed on a variety of prey, primarily elk, but also deer and occasionally moose. In Yellowstone National Park, elk make up about 90% of their diet. Wolves also eat small mammals, insects, and berries.”
Scope: Gray wolves in the Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone
How long they live
Colorado State University Extension, Wolf Taxonomy and Biology“Under natural conditions, average wolf lifespan is about 5-6 years.”
“Wolves can live up to 14 years, although this is rare.”
Scope: Gray wolves, Colorado State page
Pack size
Colorado State University Extension, Wolf Taxonomy and Biology“In the Rocky Mountains, packs average about 10 wolves in areas with little human impact, such as national parks.”
Scope: Gray wolves, Rocky Mountains
Pack size elsewhere
National Park Service, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, Wolves“The average pack size in Lake Clark is 5…”
National Park Service, Isle Royale National Park, Wolves“…they often live in small packs of four to eight members…”
Scope: Lake Clark (Alaska) and Isle Royale (Michigan)
Pups
Colorado State University Extension, Wolf Taxonomy and Biology“Wolves typically mate in January through March and sometimes mate for life. After a gestation period of about two months, four to six pups are born in early spring and are cared for by the entire pack.”
Scope: Gray wolves, Colorado State page
How much they weigh
Colorado State University Extension, Wolf Taxonomy and Biology“Female wolves typically weigh 60 to 100 pounds, and males 70 to 115 pounds.”
Scope: Gray wolves, Colorado State page
What these sources do not say
- Red wolves. The Colorado State page treats them as a separate species; the figures here are for gray wolves.
- One pack size for everywhere. The parks give different averages, so we list them separately.