The Big Bad (?

) Wolf Quiz
Name______________________________________ Period_______ Date______

Just for fun (and to see what you REALLY know!), give the following questions a try.

Answer each question. Circle the number of each question for which you are sure you have the
right answer. Underline the number of the question if your answer is a guess! SAVE this quiz and
look at your answers after you have become an Alpha Wolf! If you’re not sure what a word in the
question means, be sure to ask your teacher!

1. _____ Most gray wolves weigh between (a) 50 and 75 pounds (b) 75 and 125 pounds (c) 125
and 150 pounds (d) 150 and 175 pounds (e) 175 and 200 pounds.
2. _____ From nose to tail tip, most gray wolves are (a) from 3 to 4 feet long (b) from 5 to 6 feet
long (c) from 6 to 7 feet long (d) from 7 to 8 feet long.
3. _____ The breeding female is solely responsible for raising the pups. (a) true (b) false
4. _____ An adult wolf’s front paw is about the size of (a) a husky’s paw (b) a 10-year-old child’s
fist (c) a man’s fist (d) a chihuahua’s paw.
5. _____ How many pounds of meat is an adult wolf able to consume at a single meal? (a) 10
pounds (b) 5 pounds (c) 30 pounds (d) 20 pounds.
6. _____ Wolves never kill more than they can eat at a single meal. (a) true (b) false
7. Why do wolves howl? How many reasons can you think of? (four-points)
a.______________________________
b.______________________________
c.______________________________ d.______________________________

e.______________________________ (BONUS!)
8. _____ Wolves will not respond to human howls. (a) true (b) false
9. _____ The average pack of wolves consists of (a) 5 to 10 (b) 15 to 20 (c) 25 to 30 (d) more
than 30.
10._____ When hunting, wolves will always attempt to cripple large animals such as elk by
attacking the lower hind legs and “hamstringing” the animal. (a) true (b) false
11. In what states are wild wolves found? How many can you name?
_____________ ______________ _______________ _____________
_____________ ______________ _______________ _____________
______________ (9-point question!) (Bonus of 2 points if you get ‘em all!)

12.____ Wolves do not eat large bones because the sharp edges could puncture their stomachs or
intestines. (a) true (b) false
13.____ What is the best thing to do if you see a wolf in the wild? (a) turn and run (b) drop to the
ground and curl up in a ball (c) climb the nearest tree (d) back slowly away and avoid
eye contact (e) grab your camera.
14.____ Wolves make loyal, easily trainable pets. (a) true (b) false
15.____ A wolf at top speed in a chase can sprint at (a) 10 to 15 mph (b) 15 to 20 mph (c) 20 to
25 mph (d) 30 mph and even faster.
16.____ Wolves are extremely aggressive and pose a major threat to campers and hikers in the
back country. (a) true (b) false
17.____ Although fighting rarely takes place within the pack, wolves will attack, injure, and kill
other wolves who intrude on the pack’s territory. (a) true (b) false
18.____ Wolves in the wild live an average of (a) 6 to 7 years (b) 3 to 4 years (c) 9 to 10 years
(d) 11 to 13 years.
19.____ Wolves breed and have a litter of pups (a) twice a year (b) once a year (c) at random
times throughout the year depending on the amount of prey.
20.____ The eyes of the pups, when they open, are (a) black (b) blue (c) green (d) brown.
21. ____ How do wolves communicate with one another? How many ways can you think of – or
guess at?_____________________ ____________________
___________________ _____________________ (4 point question!)
22.____ All wolves in a pack are always the same color. (a) true (b) false
23.____ A wolf pack is (a) a group of unrelated wolves who get along well together (b) a pair of
breeders and the subordinates who have joined them from other packs (c) an extended
family of parents, pups and sometimes offspring from previous litters.
24.____ Wolves drink large amounts of water after a kill because (a) their bodies have become
dehydrated from the effort (b) their bodies require large amounts of water to process their
meat diet (c) water helps makes them feel full and satisfied.
25.____ Wolves exercise vigorously after eating so they will be ready to hunt again in a short time.
(a) true (b) false
26.____ Adult wolves resent the playfulness of the pups and discipline them strongly for attempting
to engage the older pack members in games. (a) true (b) false
27.____ Wolves prefer to eat sheep and cattle rather than elk and moose. (a) true (b) false.
28.____ Wolves nearly disappeared from the lower 48 states because (a) they were shot,
poisoned and trapped (b) a rabies epidemic lasting several years nearly wiped them out
(c) their food source was eliminated.
29.____ What wolf has been reintroduced in North Carolina? (a) Mexican wolf (b) gray wolf (c)
red wolf.
30.____ What wolf was recently reintroduced in the southwest? (a) Mexican wolf (b) gray wolf
(c) red wolf.
 Quiz Answers
1. (b) 75 and 125 pounds
2. (b) from 5 to 6 feet long
3 (b) false
4. (c) a man’s fist
5. (d) 20 pounds
6. (b) false
7. a. to assemble pack members if they have scattered
b. social interaction, expression of excitement
c. defend territory, warn intruders (4-point question and a bonus point!)
d. sign of alarm or sign of being upset
e. dispersers or lone wolves howl to find each other (BONUS!)
8. (b) false
9. (a) 5 to 10
10. (b) false
11. Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Arizona
(Maine & Washington– possible dispersers)
(9-point question!) (Bonus of 2 points if you get ‘em all!)
12. (b) false
13. (e) grab your camera. All wild animals should be treated with respect and caution, however. No
wild animal should ever be tempted with food!
14. (b) false
15. (d) 30 mph and even faster
16. (b) false
17. (a) true
18. (a) 6 to 7 years
19. (b) once a year
20. (b) blue
21. Vocalizations (howling, barking, squeaking, whimpering, whining), body posture, facial expressions,
scent marking, physical gestures, scent rolling (4 point question!)
22. (b) false
23. (c) an extended family of parents, pups and sometimes offspring from previous litters
24. (b) their bodies require large amounts of water to process their meat diet
25. (b) false
26. (b) false
27. (b) false
28. (a) they were shot, poisoned and trapped. [(c) could also be considered correct. Prey animals
were wiped out as ranching and farming moved westward, but deliberate extermination killed most
of the wolves.]
29. (c) red wolf
30. (a) Mexican wolf
Number Correct ______ (Don’t forget to add any bonus points! How did you do?)
42-44 Correct - You should have an honorary degree in wolf biology and ecology!
39-41 Correct - You are definitely an Alpha Wolf!
36-38 Correct - You’ve been keeping your eyes and ears open – or you’re a lucky
guesser! You’re a contender for Alpha Wolf!
33-35 Correct - Not bad! Definitely approaching expert range. A few more “hunts”
with the experienced pack members and you’ll know the right stuff!
30-32 Correct - Well…maybe you had some careless mistakes! No big deal.
Everyone learns in this pack!
Below 30 - Think of it this way: You will have more fun than anyone because you
will learn the most! The pup who learns the most wins!