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Wolf
 Undoubtedly, one of the more popular species now found
in Yellowstone Park is the gray wolf (Canis lupus). The adult
male gray wolf stands 26 to 38 inches high at the shoulder and is
usually 40 to 58 inches in length (excluding the tail). Males are 15 to
20 percent larger than females. The weight of gray wolves varies from 40
to 175 pounds. Coyotes are often mistaken for wolves; however, the
coyote is actually much smaller at only 20 to 30 pounds in weight.
Although most wolves in North America are a grizzled gray color, they
can range in color from tan to pure white or solid black. The gray wolf
utilizes its acute senses to survive and flourish in the wilderness.
Scientists have estimated that the wolf's sense of smell is up to one
hundred times more sensitive than that of a human. One researcher found
that a cow moose with twin calves was scented by wolves over four miles
away. The sense of hearing is the next most acute of the wolf senses.
Wolves can hear much higher frequencies than humans. While the upper
auditory limit is 20 kHz for humans, wolves may detect frequencies as
high as 80 kHz. Sight is perhaps the least developed of the wolf senses;
however, it has been shown that the wolf's sight is at least as acute as
that of humans.
Wolves are social animals that hunt, travel, and live in packs. The pack
is primarily an extended family unit that is bonded very closely. The
pack will consist of a dominant pair of breeding wolves known as the
alpha pair, their current offspring, and a few yearlings or other young
wolves. There is a definite hierarchy system within every pack with the
dominant pair being referred to as alpha and the lowest member in the
hierarchy known as the omega wolf. The social order of pack members will
change throughout time as wolves sexually mature, reach old age, become
ill or wounded, and become weakened. If one of the alpha pair dies or
becomes weakened, the next most dominant wolf (called the beta wolf)
will take its place. In a pack, only the alpha male and female are
allowed to breed. Any attempt at breeding by other members of the pack
is met with aggression by the alpha pair. Although the largest
documented pack was one of 36 animals in Alaska, the average wolf pack
consists of four to seven individuals.
Most Yellowstone visitors are eager to hear the howl of a wild wolf.
Wolves do utilize several vocalizations for the purpose of
communication. Howls, yips, squeals, growls, chirps, and barks may be
used by wolves to express themselves. The best known form of
vocalization is the howl which is used for the following reasons: 1) to
notify other pack members or other packs of their location, 2) to
attract potential mates, 3) to rally the pack before a hunt, 4) to
announce alarm at the presence of an intruder, and 5) to express
distress (pups often howl when they are stressed). In general, howling
is used as a means of long distance communication. For short range
communication, wolves use scent marking. Scent marks are used by a wolf
pack to advertise its presence in an area.
Gray wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in 1995.
Now, ten years later, the reintroduction has been widely heralded as a
great success.
Historically, wolves did exist in Yellowstone. According
to The Wolf Almanac by Robert Busch, the radio-carbon dating of a
bone found in a Yellowstone cave indicates that wolves lived in the area
as early as 960 years ago. Unfortunately, the Yellowstone wolves fell
prey to the extensive predator elimination programs of the late 1800's
and early 1900's. The last wolf to be shot in Yellowstone was killed in
1926. Despite much opposition, the gray wolf was finally reintroduced to
Yellowstone National Park 69 years later
Today, Yellowstone visitors can hope for the opportunity
to see a wild wolf or at least hear one howling. Although wolf sightings
are relatively uncommon in the park, all visitors can enjoy the feeling
that comes with knowing that the wolf is once again part of the
Yellowstone wilderness that is so precious to us all.
 Where
to find them
Wolves are known to exist in all portions of Yellowstone National Park;
however, Lamar Valley, early in the morning or near dark, is certainly
your best bet.
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