Dire Wolf
Native to the Dragonbone Mountains but also found in the Cloak Forest, the Dire Wolf is the most feared of the mountain predators to those humans who choose to make their homes near those peaks. Not just because of the danger to themselves and their children, but also to the livestock that forms the basis of their food and resources.
The Dire Wolf is large, and can reach the size of a small pony for the alpha females and males. They run in packs of generally about 10 to 15 animals, but some go as high as 20. Loner wolves are also known, and these are often the most dangerous, being either very powerful or very desperate beasts.
The humans that live in close proximity to these creatures both fear and respect them. The keepers of the sheep and goats must always be prepared to defend them, and defending against such a powerful creature, in a pack, is far from easy.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Four legs, massive skull and jaw, feet are broad, and thickly padded, suitable for walking on snow without sinking or gripping the rocks to climb after prey. Normally grey or black in coloring, during the winter months their coats turn a mottled white. Their canine teeth are long, but generally only visible when in dominance displays or when attacking or consuming prey.
Genetics and Reproduction
Two sexes, male and female. Females become fertile at about 2 years of age. Males can sire offspring beginning the same age. Gestation is between 65-70 days with the pups being born in early spring from a winter breeding. Females usually give birth to 4-6 pups.
Growth Rate & Stages
The average lifespan seems to be between 6 and 10 years. Sexual maturity is reached at two years, shortly after full adult size is reached.
Ecology and Habitats
This wolf thrives in the rugged mountains and nearby deep forests of the Dragonbone Mountains and less commonly in the Cloak Forest.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Carnivore. Hunts wild game, usually as a pack, wearing down the animal it is pursuing. Elk, deer, mountain sheep and smaller prey like rabbits and beaver are its primary food sources. It's also fond of the domestic goats and sheep of humans.
Biological Cycle
It has been known to go into a state of torpor during the deepest part of winter, but this isn't universal. Food needs are greatly reduced while in torpor, but this state also requires that the animal have a sufficient store of fat if they are to survive. Healthy wolves can enter this state, but the weaker pack members may do so as well to lessen the burden on the whole. If there is enough food acquired by the remaining pack, the torporous members will be prodded into wakefulness to eat, if there a lack, the weaker ones will die.
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Scientific Name
Canis dirus
Geographic Distribution
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