 |
Canis lupus baileyi Mexican Gray Wolf |
|
| Description
You are visitor # Last updated 12/6/02 |
Life
History & Reproduction:
Although supporting scientific data is lacking, Brown (1983) contended that unmolested Mexican wolves formed small family groups, probably consisting of 2-8 members. As no scientific studies were conducted on the Mexican wolf before it was extirpated from the wild, the only documented Mexican wolf native prey were white-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (O. hemionus) (Brown 1983), and these were from historic trapping records. Mexican wolves reach sexual maturity at about 2 years of age. Females come into estrous between mid-February and mid-March (Parsons 1998). Gestation averages 63 days, with parturition occurring in April and May. The litter of 4-6 pups is usually born in a den. Pups remain at the den site for about 3 months, at which time they are moved to rendezvous sites. By late fall, the pups begin hunting with the pack (Mech 1970).
|