Wolves live eight to 12 years. Wolves can be found in forests, and on tundra, deserts, plains and mountains. Wolves normally prey on large hoofed mammals such as deer and elk but occasionally prey on smaller animals such as beavers or rabbits. A hierarchy of dominant and subordinate animals within the pack help it to function as a unit. Wolves mate in February or March.
Females give birth two months later to a litter of pups.
An average litter is four to seven pups. Because wolves need wildland habitat and an abundant supply of prey, human encroachment into wolf territory has become a leading threat to their survival. The illegal killing of wolves is also a serious problem. Appendix I listed species cannot be traded commercially. Appendix II listed species can be traded commercially only if trade does not harm their survival.