They stood about as tall as a small human child stands but were as heavy as an adult human female. With their muscular body, powerful jaws, and sharp teeth, Dire wolves were fearsome predators. They hunted in packs like modern wolves. Pack hunting, as well as their large size, allowed dire wolves to hunt large animals. Dire wolves lived here at White Sands. During the ice age, before the dunes formed, a large lake called Lake Otero attracted animals to its green lush shores. Dire wolves were using these ancient beaches as hunting grounds since prey and water were plentiful. Dire wolves hunted and scavenged their way across both of the American continents.