Grey Wolf (Canis lupus, black phase)

I experienced one of my most treasured and extraordinary moments sighting and filming a wolf in it's wilderness domain while on a photo trek in the Canadian Rockies during winter.

Facts: Gray wolves live in packs with 8 to 35 members. The leader of the pack is the alpha. They mate for life. Usually only the alpha pair breeds. Pairs mate in the winter and about 9 weeks later 2 to 14 pups are born. Pups are born blind. Other females in the pack help take care of new born pups. Within 3 to 5 months the young pups are able to travel with the pack.