Adorable Wolf Pup Naps Peacefully on Its Protective Mother

While wolves often symbolize the wild and untamed, wolf pups are surprisingly vulnerable and quite adorable. This YouTube video captures a tender moment in the life of a wolf pup as a newborn sleeps soundly on its mother. These tiny bundles of fur rely entirely on their family for survival, and every member of the pack treats the pups as if they were their own.

Wolf Pups Sleeping Safe and Sound

From the moment they are born, wolf pups are extremely vulnerable. They are blind when they come into the world and are completely unable to control their own body temperature. For the first 11 to 15 days, their eyes remain closed, and even after they open, their vision is not yet fully developed. Though they soon learn to stand and walk, these tiny pups weigh an average of only 3.5 pounds.

For the first few weeks, wolf pups stay in the den with their mother. At this stage, their movements are more like uncoordinated squirming as they try to get comfortable within the den. Other pack members bring food to the mother, who does not leave her newborn pups. Because they are completely reliant on their mother and unable to regulate their own body heat, wolf pups are often very cuddly, frequently sleeping piled on top of their mother or siblings, as seen in the YouTube video. This provides them with crucial warmth as well as comfort and protection.

How Much Sleep Do Wolf Pups Need?

While adult wolves typically sleep between 4 and 10 hours a day (within a 24-hour period), wolf pups need much more rest — around 15 to 18 hours — to support their rapid growth and development. Unlike adults, who sleep lightly so they can stay alert to threats, young pups are often very deep sleepers, remaining undisturbed even when their siblings crawl over them.

Adult wolves do not cuddle very often, but they maintain strong bonds and sleep near each other. They also greet one another with tail wags and face licks each morning. Even though only one pair in a wolf pack usually breeds, the entire pack accepts and cares for the pups as their own, helping to feed, protect, and care for the pups. When the pups start eating solid food, pack members take turns regurgitating meals for them. As the pups grow stronger, they contribute to the pack’s overall strength and survival. In turn, the survival of the young wolf pups depends entirely on the pack’s ability to protect them and provide them with enough food and care.

From the time they are around 24 to 77 days old, wolf pups start exploring just outside the den and play-fighting with their siblings. Their mother may go out and hunt at night, but another pack member will always stay behind to care for the pups. As they grow older, the pups may start following other wolves on short explorations, usually staying within a mile of the den, which remains their safe haven.

How Long Do Wolf Pups Stay with Their Family?

Between eight and 16 weeks of age, the pups are moved from the den to a new “rendezvous site,” an area the pack uses as a temporary nursery for the growing pups. At this point, they begin accompanying adults on short hunting trips. By the time they are six months old, they are ready to learn how to hunt larger animals with their family.

Wolf pups reach their adult size and sexual maturity between one and three years of age. These young wolves may stay with their natal pack (the pack they are born into) for a while, but many eventually leave, a process known as “dispersal.” A dispersing wolf might remain within its original territory, searching for a mate or a new place to call its own. Some may find temporary mates and then return to their natal pack. Others leave to find new mates and territories, forming their own separate packs.

Wolves that choose to stay with their natal pack become caregivers for future litters. They assist their parents in caring for, protecting, and teaching the next generation of wolf puppies. They are often the ones who take small pups on exciting excursions to new areas and introduce them to new things. Occasionally, they may even adopt and care for pups that are not related to them.