Wolf pup development

by **Grimthorne** Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:58 pm

BIRTH
Have dark fur, rounded heads and are unable to regulate their own body temperature
Blind with closed eyes, deaf with small ears, and a "pugged" nose with little if any sense of smell but a good sense of taste and touch
Limited to a slow crawl, mainly with front legs but have a good sense of balance
Are limited to sucking and licking; can whine and yelp
Will feed four or five times a day for periods of three to five minutes
Average females gain 2.6 lbs and males 3.3 lbs per week for the next 14 weeks
Transitional Period: Eye Opening to 20-24 Days

2 WEEKS
Eyes open and are blue at 11-15 days but their eyesight is not fully developed and pups cannot perceive forms until weeks later
Milk incisors present at 15 days; can eat small pieces of regurgitated meat
Begin to stand and walk; vocalizations include growls, whimpering and squeaks, first high-pitched attempts at howling
Weight: 3.5 lbs
Socialization Period: 20-24 Days to 77 Days

3 WEEKS
Begin appearing outside of the den and playing near the entrance
Ears begin to raise around 27 days and hearing improves significantly
Around 31 days the ears are erect but with tips still flopping
Canines and premolar teeth present

4 WEEKS
Growth of adult hair around nose and eyes
Disproportionately large feet and head
Short, high-pitched howls are gaining strength
Mother may go off for hours on end to hunt
Dominance and play fighting begin

5 WEEKS
Gradual process of weaning begins
Can follow adults up to a mile away from the den
Juvenile Period: 12 Weeks to Sexual Maturity (1 - 3 years)

8 - 16 WEEKS
At 8 to 10 weeks:
Adults abandon den and move pups to a rendezvous site
Weaning complete, pups feed on food provided by adults
Adult guard hair becomes apparent on body

At 8 to 16 Weeks:
Eyes gradually change from blue to yellow-gold

12 WEEKS
Pups begin to follow adults on hunting trips for a short while and return to the den by themselves
Weight: 22-30 lbs
Period of Rapid Growth: 14 - 27 Weeks

14 - 27 WEEKS
Pups will gain approximately 1.3 lbs. per week over the next three months
Weight: 28-70 lbs

4 - 6 MONTHS
Milk teeth replaced
Winter fur becomes apparent and pup appearance is nearly indistinguishable from adults
Pups begin to accompany adults on hunts
Period of Slow Growth: 27 - 51 Weeks

7 - 8 MONTHS
Female pups will gain approximately .07 lbs. per week and male pups will gain approximately .4 lbs. per week
Pups begin to travel with pack
Begin actively hunting

1 YEAR
Epiphyseal cartilage closes off signaling the end of skeletal growth
Pups status in the pack may start to take shape with pups displaying either more dominant or submissive behaviors
Weight: 60-100 lbs
Sexual Maturity: 1 to 3 Years

1 - 3 Years
Hormonal changes signal sexual maturity
May choose to disperse from pack
Weight: 60-100+ lbs

http://www.wolf.org/wolves/learn/basic/biology/pupdevelopment.asp