Distribution in Texas. The gray wolf formerly ranged over the western two-thirds of the state, but now is extirpated over all of the west, including Texas. The last authenticated reports of gray wolves in Texas are of two males, the skulls of which were donated to Sul Ross State University. The gray wolf inhabits forests, brushlands, or grasslands, preferring broken, open country in which suitable cover and denning sites are available. Formerly, wolves occurred commonly in the grassland plains of the buffalo on which they relied for their chief food supply.
Wolves have marvelous stamina and endurance and can travel for hours without apparent fatigue.
The family group constitutes the nucleus of the pack, to which bachelor friends or members of another family may be added. The usual pack consists of six to 10 individuals, but packs twice this size are not uncommon. Packs of as many as 50 individuals are rare. But when such game is scarce they turn their attention to mice, ground squirrels, and rabbits. The young pups normally spend considerable time in stalking and capturing small mice.