Wolves can eat as much as 22 pounds of meat at a time and then may not eat again for many days. Wolves require from one to three quarts of water per day, depending on the size of the animal, the climate, and the moisture content of the prey. When hunting in winter the wolf will conserve energy when ever possible, by following the same trail as the prey animal, staying upwind, and staying out of sight of the prey as long as possible. When it is time to strike the wolf will start wagging their tails with excitement. Some times when young pups are with the hunt they may dash after the prey in the excitement and spoil the hunt.
Wolves are primarily nocturnal animals that avoid the heat of day.
They generally commence hunting at dusk. After prey is detected, wolves may split up to search through brush, travel on ridge tops searching for the prey below, or test herds looking for signs of weakness. It has long been recognized that wolves often take advantage of wear members of the herd. Later researchers reinforced the image of the wolf as a predator of the very young, the very old, the weak, of the diseased. In fact, the only animal that habitually preys upon prime mature animals is man.