They’re fast, stealthy, and, yeah, a little scary. A gray wolf can run 40 miles per hour in pursuit of prey, and their jaws can exert a pressure of 400 pounds per square inch. But at the same time they are one of the most human-like of species in terms of social structures, forming wolf-packs similar to our extended families. This once-endangered species was reintroduced to
Yellowstone in 1995; since then their numbers have risen to an estimated 100. Winter, when wolves are more easily spotted against
Yellowstone’s snow-covered landscape, is the time to see them—even if daytime temps can dip to near zero. The best way to wolf-watch is to join one of the
Yellowstone Association’s excellent winter wolf programs.
More: Yellowstone National Park guide