Gray wolf
Canis lupus
At the Detroit Zoo
Two gray wolves live in the Cotton Family Wolf Wilderness, located at the southwest corner of the Detroit Zoo. Male Kaskapahtew, known as Kaska, was born in 2010 and has lived at the Zoo since 2015. He was joined in September 2019 by female Renner, who was born in 2016. The wolves’ 2-acre habitat features grassy hills and meadows, native Michigan trees, a flowing stream and pond, dens and elevated rock outcroppings from which they can survey their surroundings. Zoo visitors are able to see Kaska and Renner from many vantage points around the $1.4 million habitat – including from the historic Log Cabin, which features an observation area with expansive glass viewing windows that allow people to get nose to snout with them.
Description
Gray wolves resemble large domestic dogs, with longer legs, larger feet and narrower chests. They can have a coat in a variety of colors, including brown, red, gray, black or white. Wolves have two layers of fur – a top coarse guard layer and a soft undercoat.
Fun Facts
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Wolves are the largest members of the dog family.
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A single wolf can eat up to 20 pounds of food in one sitting.
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While the alpha male and female are often the only members of a pack to reproduce, all adults in the pack care for young pups.
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Wolves don’t actually howl at the moon. They communicate using howls, barks, whines and growls, and are most active at dawn and dusk.