The coat consists of a dense layer of soft, fine fur topped by long guard hairs, which give the coat its color. The longest hair in the coat is found on the mane and this can be raised or lowered in cases of aggression or dominance. Patterns of color in facial hair accentuate their expressive features. The coat in Winter is thick to enable them to cope with the weather extremes. A wolf in summer looks lean in comparison with it's Winter coat.
Wolves are pack hunters although they can and do hunt individually.
They hunt in packs in order to take advantage of moose,deer and elk herds . Packs are large during Winter with up to 20 members. In Summer,when there is many smaller mammals available, the packs often split up into smaller groups of up to 8 animals. Smaller packs also occur with the onset of the breeding season when there is increased tension between the members of the pack . Whatever the size of the pack, they usually have an established territory.