Wolves may hunt alone, but usually they hunt in a family pack of three to as many as thirty wolves. Each pack has a hunting territory which they defend from other wolves. Male wolves mark the boundaries of their territories by urinating on bushes or rocks. Hunting in packs helps wolves kill large animals such as moose or elk. They are good swimmers and when necessary pursue their prey into water.
Timber wolves display remarkable team spirit and cooperation during a hunt.
So perfectly is the hunt executed that the pack acts like a single animal. The timber wolf can eat a lot of meat at one meal and then go without food for a considerable time. Wolves generally pair for life. Mating takes place in late winter or early spring. Pups are born two months later.