Body posture is an important part of the language that reinforces this hierarchy. The dominant animal marks territory by urinating at conspicuous locations. Mates howl to locate each other, and packs may howl to other packs, indicating their locale to avoid unnecessary encounters. Usually lone wolves are younger males that have left their natal pack to search for a place to settle, find a mate and start their own packs. A lone wolf generally keeps a low profile, and does not answer howls or mark territory.
Wolves are highly social and mate for life.
Females give birth every other year. Breeding occurs in late winter, and after a 63 day gestation, some four to eight blind and helpless pups are born in a den. The male hunts to feed his mate during the 6 to 8 weeks nursing period. After a month or so the pups emerge from the den to receive food from both parents and other pack members. Pups will stay with their parents through their first winter, are full grown at about 10 months, and of breeding age by their third winter.