The gray wolf mates in the winter, usually January to March. But this is not always the case. One litter is born each year usually consisting of three to twelve wolf pups, most often six to eight. Pups are usually weaned at five weeks of age as their teeth come in and they are able to eat small chunks of regurgitated meat from the mother. As they begin to venture outside the den they catch small mice and rodents while learning from the other pack members the necessary hunting skills.
Wolves reach sexual maturity at two years of age.
Wolf social structure is very complex and unique among wild animals. A dominant pair, or alpha pair, leads the pack. A distinct hierarchy among the other wolves exists and they each understand their place in the family. The least dominant wolf in a pack is called the omega wolf who is subordinate to the rest of the pack. Wolf dominance consists of two parts, privilege and leadership.