The wolf (Canis lupus) is a very widespread animal in the world, well known, majestic and yet so mysterious. I encourage you to browse the synthesis work I did when I was ten years old and discover something new about these animals. What are you wai...
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The northwestern wolf (Canis lupus occidentalis), also known as the Mackenzie Valley wolf, Rocky Mountain wolf, Alaskan timber wolf, or Canadian timber wolf, is a subspecies of gray wolf in western North America.
Habitat:
Northwestern wolves are found across western North America. They range from Alaska, the upper Mackenzie River Valley; southward into the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan as well as the Northwestern United States. These animals inhabit forests and rocky mountain areas.
Characteristics:
Average males weigh between 100 and 145 pounds with females weighing roughly 10 to 20 percent less. The heaviest on record was caught in Alaska in 1939, weighing 175 pounds, though some weighed 230 pounds. They measure 32 to 36 inches shoulder height and 5 to 7 feet in length, from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail.
Their long, powerful legs allow them to travel as far as 70 miles a day, and through rough terrain like deep snow. They can reach speeds of up to 40 miles an hour for short periods of time. Their skull measures about 12 inches long. A combination of powerful jaw and neck muscles allows them to break bones and bring down large prey..
Diet:
Northwestern wolves preyed on a variety of hoofed mammals and other rodents, such as moose, bison, elks, caribou, Dall sheep, Sitka Black-tailed deer, mountain goats, beaver, salmon, voles, lemmings, ground squirrels and snowshoe hares.
Breeding:
Breeding season usually occurs in February. The dominant male and female of the pack breed in attempt to keep up the strength of the pack. Usually 63 days after breeding, 4 to 6 pups are born.
They leave the den in 4 to 6 weeks, and by fall, they are large enough to travel and hunt with the pack. They become full-grown in 6 to 8 months, and sexually mature at about 22 months..
