About wolves

The wolf is the largest member of the dog family, and the ancestor of our dogs. It is a pack animal and lives together in family groups. There are a great many myths about wolves. On this page, you can find out what is fact and what is fiction!

Foto: Roger Brendhagen.
Foto: Roger

Wolf facts

Latin: Canis lupus.
Family: Dog family (Canidae)
Length: 100 – 150 cm.
Weight: 20 – 55 kg.
Breeding season: February.
Number of young: 1-8.
Lifespan: Normally 6 – 8 years. 

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Download wolf factsheet

UlvepoteWolf tracks

Wolf tracks are just like those of a large dog. So it is impossible to tell them apart from a single footprint.

How does the wolf live?

The wolf differs from the other predators in that, instead of living alone, it prefers living in a pack. The pack is quite simply a family, consisting of mum, dad and children. As in our families, mum and dad are in charge!

Nesten 5 år gammel ulv. Kontrollerte forhold (Langedrag) 1.3.2004
Foto: Roger Brendhagen.

What do wolves eat?

The wolf hunts whatever food is most plentiful where it lives. This means that, here in Norway and Sweden, the wolf mainly hunts moose. Where roe deer are plentiful, they are an important food source for wolves too. Wolves hunt together to catch the large prey animals.

SONY DSC
SONY DSC

Where does the wolf live?

Wolves are highly adaptable and can, in principle, live in any type of habitat. In Norway, they are found in the woodlands along the Swedish border in the counties of Innlandet and Viken. This is where the politicians in the Norwegian parliament have decided that they are allowed to live within Norway.

Foto: Roger Brendhagen.
Foto: Roger Brendhagen.

Are wolves dangerous?

Many people think it is scary to have wolves near where they live. This is mainly because it is an animal they know little about. People are also worried about not being able to hunt and enjoy outdoor recreational life in the same way as before. Fortunately, there is no need to be so concerned. Wolves prefer to keep away from us and attacks on humans are extremely rare.

Foto: Roger Brendhagen.
Foto: Roger Brendhagen.

How many wolves do we have?

As of winter 2019/2020, we have 103 – 106 wolves in Norway. Of these, 56 are fully Norwegian, while the remaining 47 – 50 wolves live along the Norwegian-Swedish border and regularly move between the two countries.

Foto: Roger Brendhagen.
Foto: Roger Brendhagen.

Wolf myths

The wolf may have more myths surrounding itself than any other animal. Many of these notions are of recent date, and some of them even have their origins in research! It is no surprise, perhaps, that many people wonder what is fact and what fiction. On this page, we will take a closer look at the myths surrounding the wolf!

Kjendisulven Ask fra Langedrag. 1,5 Âr gammel hannulv. nov. 2000.

Har vi ulvehybrider i naturen?

Ulver og hunder er samme arten, og kan få avkom dersom de parer seg. Men hva er egentlig disse ulvehybridene, og finnes disse i naturen? Her får du svaret på alt du har lurt på om ulvehybrider.

Foto: Roger Brendhagen.