Birthing and Maturation   Home Habitat Hunting and Food Social Behavior Communication Howling Courtship and Mating Birthing and Maturation Parenting Management Literature The gestation period of wolves is 63 days. A litter ranges from 1-11 pups, but usually averages six. Pups are born blind and helpless usually in a den dug in the ground, in a hollow log or small cave (C&F 463). Pregnant females stay close to the den from about three weeks before the birth, and the day before they seclude themselves inside. As soon as the pups are born the mother begins attending to them, breaking the amniotic sac, chewing the umbilical cord off and generally cleaning the new pups. Whelping five pups takes approximately three hours (Mech 123). The pups eyes open at about 11-15 days, weaning takes place at about five weeks, and at about eight weeks they are moved to above ground nest. Milk teeth are replaced at about 16-26 months, at which time the pups are joining the adults in their travels. From the third week of their life the pups are out and about play fighting with other pups and even with the adults. This helps to teach them skills that will be necessary later in life. This time also helps them to form emotional bonds with the rest of the pack. Feeding behavior also changes at this time. First, the pups are forced to nurse while standing , allowing the mother to move around the den. Next, they are given regurgitated food from adults after a hunt, and by about the fourth week they will eat solid food. After ten weeks or so they will begin to chase small animals in practice for real hunts. Wolves do not reach sexual maturity until about 22 months (C&F 463).