Allthrough time the wolf has been praised as the King of the NorthAmerican animal kingdom. It has always been regarded as a creature ofboth beauty and mystery, thus deserving of both respect andfascination. Our interest in the wolf may have more to do with oursimilarities rather than our differences. Both of us exist centeredin strong family units depending on set social structure. We appointleaders of our packs that hold firm abilities to care for ourfamilies. And in both wolves and man, rituals strengthenrelationships, maintain order, and enforce discipline. Still, though,wolves remain in the wild and man has moved away, but part of usstill longs for what we once had. In the book, Brother Wolf: AForgotten Promise, author Jim Brandenburg wrote "...I feel aboutwolves something just short of jealousy. I am in awe. Theirpersistence, their endurance and their strength are beyond humancapacity."

SOMEWOLF FACTS

Species:Almost all North American wolves belong to the species called graywolves (Canis Lupus). A separate and endangered species called thered wolf (Canis Rufus) exists in the southern United States; however,almost all of them are in captivity.

Size:Adults range from 5 feet to 6 1/2 feet from nose to tip of tail,stand from 26 to 36 inches high at the shoulders and weigh between 75and 120 pounds. Female wolves are smaller than males.

PrimaryFood: Deer, moose, caribou and elk, although they will eat rabbits,beaver, rodents and fish.

Habitat:One of the most adaptable of all animals, wolves can live in avariety of habitats, preferring large areas of heavily woodedwilderness.

Range:Once widely distributed across North America, most gray wolfpopulations are in Canada and Alaska. Minnesota has a populationlarge enough to maintain itself while Wisconsin, Michigan and Montanahave less stable populations. Wolves were reintroduced to YellowstoneNational Park in 1995.

LifeSpan: Approximately 10 years in the wild.

NaturalEnemies: None. Wolves are at the top of the food chain. Only humanspose a threat to their existence.

Disposition:Although there are no reliable reports of a healthy wolf everattacking a human, avoidance is recommended. Wolves will almostalways avoid humans, though some curious animals will watch a humanfrom a safe distance.

ObservationOpportunities: Very limited because of their small numbers, solitarynature and because they are most active at night. During heavy snows,wolves may be seen on or along infrequently traveled roads.