Wildlife

Gray wolves, also known as timber wolves, are described as having the greatest natural range of any terrestrial mammal, excluding Homo sapiens. Most wolves in Alaska weigh between 85 and 115 pounds, with females rarely reaching more than 110 pounds. Color varies greatly among wolves, from pure black to almost white. Wolves in southern Alaska tend to be darker and slightly smaller than those in the Arctic.

Wolves prey on a variety of species on Togiak Refuge, including moose, caribou, hares, beaver, salmon, mice and other small mammals. Most wolves hunt and live in packs that range in size from three to twenty wolves (occasionally more). Pack size appears related to food availability and size of prey. Wolf packs establish a territory and defend it from other wolves. Direct encounters between packs are usually rare and can lead to deaths when pack members fight and kill wolves from neighboring packs. Wolves may die from other causes, including hunting, trapping, disease, malnutrition, and from injuries received while attempting to take down large game. Wolf numbers are likely increasing on Togiak Refuge as moose and caribou populations have increased in numbers and range.

Breeding occurs January through March, and the pups are born in late May to early June. Litter size varies from two to thirteen but four to seven pups are typical. Females usually produce a litter every year. The packs usually include the parents and the current year's pups. The young are usually not able to kill large game for themselves until late winter when they have reached adult size.

Resources:

Burt, William H. and Richard P. Grossenheider. 1980. Peterson field guide to mammals. Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston Massachusetts.

Alaska Geographic Society. 1996. Mammals of Alaska: a comprehensive field guide from the publishers of Alaska geographic. The Alaska Geographic Society. Anchorage Alaska.

For more information, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's wolf wildlife notebook page.

Last updated: July 24, 2008