How do wolves live together?
Wolves live in groups of between two and twenty (averaging about six to eight) animals. These groups are called packs. Each pack of wolves maintains an area, called a territory, which belongs to it and which it defends from other wolves. Within this territory, the pack hunts, sleeps, plays, and raises pups. Territories range in size from 50 to 1,000 square miles, depending on how much prey is available. Packs also vary in size depending on what kind of prey is available. Wolf packs which hunt deer as a primary source of food will have fewer wolves than packs which hunt bison or moose. These large animals are harder to catch and kill, and can also feed more wolves once caught. Wolves have a linear rank order, or hierarchy, which helps keep peace within the pack. There is a separate line of rank for each sex: one for males and one for females. At the top of the rank order is the alpha male and female. The beta male and female are next highest in status. At the bottom of the rank order is
