After the alpha female and the alpha male mate, the female goes in search of a den to have her pups in. She may dig the den herself or may use an unused cave. Some dens are used for years and years also. After about 63 days about 5-7 pups are born. The pups are born blind, deaf, and some believe without their sense of smell.
After about 3 weeks to a month the pups begin to eat regurgitated food from the pack members. At about 4-5 weeks old the pups begin to wander farther and farther from their den. By the 6th week their bodies are longer, their blue eyes of infancy are turning yellow, and many howl frequently. The young pups are beginning to look and act as wolves.
At about 2 months old the start chasing little rodents and peeling bark from trees or chewing on sticks. They weigh about 15-20 pounds and are weaned (don't drink mother's milk). At about 3 or 4 months the pups they join the hunting parties but won't be able to help in the kill until at least 6 months. At 6 months they also look like adult wolves.
Wolves reach sexual maturity at about 22 months (almost 2 years old). At about this age the young wolf has already established strong emotional ties with the pack and intruders will not be trusted.
