wolves live in groups called "packs". they are pack hunters. the members of the pack are usually family members, often just the parents and offspring. wolves that are not family may join if they do not have a pack of their own. packs are usually up to 12 wolves, but they can be as small as two or as large as 25. the leaders are called the parent (breeding) male and the parent (breeding) female. their territory is marked by scent and howling; they will fight any intruders. young wolves are called 'pups' or 'whelps'. adult females usually give birth to five or six pups in a litter.