Newborn pups are unable to regulate their body temperature, so they must be in close proximity to an adult wolf at all times within the den. Typically the gestational parent is the one who stays in the den, emerging only to eat, drink, and void, but other trusted adults may babysit. Neonates are blind, deaf, have a pugged nose and cannot smell much, but are very sensitive to touch and taste. They are capable of crawling but can't stand. They will feed 4 to 5 times a day, and sleep most of the time.
- Equivalent human age: Newborn — 6 months
- Vocalization: Primarily whining.
Pups open their eyes around the 11 to 15 day mark. Wolf pups are all born with blue eyes. Their eyesight is poor at this stage and will not become fully clear for several weeks. Their milk teeth will come in around this time as well and they can begin to eat regurgitated meat in addition to milk. They may stand and begin walking. Wolf pups are surprisingly steady on their feet once they are able to stand!
- Equivalent human age: 6 months — 1.5 years
- Vocalization: Whining, growling, whimpering, first attempts at howling, light babbling.
Pups will begin to appear outside the den and can be found near the den entrance. This is the time when the pack will begin interacting with the pups. Their ears will perk up around day 27 and by day 30 they should have relatively good hearing and straight ears. The tips may still be floppy. Pups will develop their canine teeth and premolars during this time. By the 4 week mark, their heads and paws are comically large and play fighting for dominance begins. By the 5 week mark, pups may accompany adults on short trips away from the den. Weaning occurs during this stage and pups will speak their first full words in week 6.
- Equivalent human age: 1.5 years — 4 years
- Vocalization: Growling, whimpering, stronger howls, barks, lots of babbling. Generally acquire a limited vocabulary of 200-400 words by the end of week 8.
Around week 9, the pups will be moved from the whelping den to the rendezvous site. Pups no longer drink milk and will eat meat provided by the pack. Guard hairs grow in during this time. Their eyes will begin to change colour in week 8 and will finish transitioning by week 16. If they haven't changed from blue by this time, they will remain blue for life. By 12 weeks, pups can follow adults on short solo hunting trips and are capable of returning to the rendezvous by themselves. Pups enter a period of rapid growth between 14 and 27 weeks, during which they gain approximately a pound per week. Their milk teeth are fully replaced by adult teeth, their winter coats grow in (if applicable) and they are able to accompany the pack on hunts.
- Equivalent human age: 4 years — 11 years
- Vocalization: Full range of vocalization. Can speak fluently by the the time they are 3 months.
Pups enter a period of slow growth between 28 and 51 weeks, and by now they are nearly indistinguishable from adult wolves. During this time the pups will begin to readily travel with the pack and will actively hunt. Dominance and submission behaviours will become more intense during this time as pups vie for their place in the pack. By 9 months, pups are fully integated into the adult hierarchy, but they still have a lot of maturing to do and adult wolves may not take them seriously for many months longer.
- Equivalent human age: 11 years — 18 years
Wolves will undergo hormonal changes when they are 24 months old, signalling sexual maturity and the ability to produce pups of their own. This is prime time for young wolves to disperse from their packs and seek mates to found a pack with, or to seek out another pack.
- Equivalent human age: 18 years — 25 years
Wolves start to show signs of age around the 6 or 7 year mark, but aren't considered truly elderly until they are around 8 years old. Wolves will slow down considerably, their tempers may change for better or worse, their fur may become greyer especially around the snout, and they are no longer able to do the things they used to do. Old wolves may have difficulty standing after lying for long periods of time, their howls may become strained or they may lose the ability entirely, and they may have less control over their bodily functions. Wolves will die of old age before reaching 11 years of age.
- Equivalent human age: 67 years — 90 years