WOLF PUPS

The wolf pups have dark fur, rounded heads and are unable to regulate their own body temperature. Pups are blind with closed eyes, deaf with small ears and a "pugged" nose with little, if any, sense of smell. They have good sense of taste and touch. They are limited to a slow crawl, mainly with front legs but have a good sense of balance. They're also limited to sucking and licking; can whine and yelp and they need to be fed four or five times a day for periods of three to five minutes. On average females gain 2.6 pounds and males 3.3 pounds per week for the next 14 weeks.

TRANSITIONAL PERIOD (14-24 days)

The pup's eyes are open and are blue at 11-15 days, but their eyesight is not fully developed, and pups cannot perceive forms until weeks later. Their Milk incisors present at 15 days; can eat small pieces of regurgitated meat. Pups begin to stand and walk; vocalizations include growls, whimpering and squeaks, first high-pitched attempts at howling.

SOCILIAZTION PERIOD (24-77 days)

Pups begin appearing outside of the den and playing near the entrance. Their ears begin to raise around 27 days and hearing improves significantly. Around 31 days the ears are erect but with tips still flopping. Pups Canines and premolar teeth are present. They have growth of adult hair around nose and eyes. Pups have disproportionately large feet and head. Their short and high-pitched howls are gaining strength and dominance play fighting begins. The pup’s mother may go off for hours on end to hunt or mark territory.

JUVENILE PERIOD (8-16 weeks)

Around this time the adults will abandon their den and move to a rendezvous site where the raise their pups to adulthood. Pups now feed on food provided by adults. Their eyes gradually change from blue to a yellow gold. Pups begin to follow adults on hunting trips for a short while and return to the den by themselves

PERIOD OF SLOW GROWTH (27-51 weeks)

Female pups will gain approximately .07 pounds per week and male pups will gain approximately .4 pounds per week. Pups begin to travel with pack and begin actively hunting.

SEXUAL MATURITY (1-3 years)

Their epiphyseal cartilage closes off signalling the end of skeletal growth. Pups status in the pack may start to take shape with pups displaying either more dominant or submissive behaviours.