Life Cycle Usually only the highest ranking male and female in a pack will breed. The breeding season can vary from January in low latitudes to April in high latitudes. Pups are born about 63 days after breeding; an average litter is 6 pups. By the third week the deciduous, or baby, teeth appear. The mother wolf stays close to her young for the first 2 months while other pack members bring food. Pups are weaned at about the fifth week. After several weeks at the den, pups are moved to their first ground nest or homesite. Movement to new homesites becomes more frequent as the pups mature. Pups grow rapidly and approach adult size by autumn or early winter. Sexual maturity usually is attained at 2 years. In large packs, however, it is doubtful that many wolves breed at that age. Some wolves leave their packs to become lone wolves. Loners may start their own packs if a mate and a vacant area can be found. The major prey of wolves are large hoofed mammals, including deer, moose, elk, caribou, bison, musk-oxen, and mountain sheep. Beaver is eaten when available. In summer a variety of smaller foods, such as small rodents and berries, supplement the diet. Animals killed are usually young, old, or otherwise weaker members of their populations because they are easiest to capture. Most pursuits of prey range in length from 100 m (110 yds) to 5 km (3.1 miles). Healthy wolves rarely, if ever, attack humans. Mortality factors affecting wolves include persecution by humans, killing by other wolves, diseases, parasites, starvation, and injuries by prey. Probably few wolves live more than 10 years in the wild. Myth and Reality Although the wolf is still cast as a blood-thirsty villain in folklore and children's stories, the public's image of wolves finally is improving; interest in the preservation of wolves is growing. Several scientific studies have disclosed the wolf's role in natural ecosystems and have done away with some of the misconceptions that have surrounded this colorful and complex animal for centuries. Next