Den site activity patterns of Gray Wolves, Canis lupus, in southcentral Alaska

Den site activity patterns of Gray Wolves, Canis lupus, in southcentral Alaska.Canadian Field-Naturalist 105(4): 497-504.Den site attendance and activity patterns of Gray Wolves within two wolf packs in southcentral Alaska were studied in 1980 and 1981 using a combination of activity radio transmitters and direct observations from blinds and fixed-wing aircraft.One wolf pack was electronically monitored for 17 continuous days in 1980 and another for 43 continuous days in 1981.They were observed for 277 and 369 hours, respectively.Alpha females spent more time at dens than other pack members.The alpha female of a pack of four adult wolves spent less time at the den than did the alpha female from a pack of eight adult wolves suggesting that in smaller packs, alpha females may have a more active role in providing food for pups.Den attendance by other pack members was highly variable.Yearling males tended to avoid dens until after parturition.Yearling females from the large pack tended to spend more time at the den than those from a smaller pack.When pups were from 2-7 weeks of age, they were left unattended from 5-15% of the time.There was a high probability that groups of wolves would be present at the den during mid-day.Wolves tended to depart from the den between 2100 and 2400 h and arrive between 2100 and 0400 h.