Howl to inspire, to socialize, to rally and to announce their presence. Also bark and yap but they never yip. Build olfactory fences using urine and feces on an area of 50 - 50,000 square miles. Gregarious mating behavior or mate for life. Lead male and female mate and both care for young (4 to 10 pups). Only one chase in ten gets meat, so not unusual to eat 20 pounds of meat in one meal. Tail is communication system, high for dominance, loose for relaxed, slight upward curve shows early stress, tail tucked under signals submission. Walks on four toes with heels high off ground. Known to trek over 45 miles a day, can sleep in snow at -40 degrees due to coarse fur. Pups open eyes at 2 weeks of age and begin eating at 3 to 4 weeks. Weaned at 5 to 8 weeks of age.