Monkey see, monkey do - even red wolf pups! Watch them try to howl at Museum of Life and Science

The Museum of Life and Science's red wolf pups are getting big! And, at 18 months, they're learning from mom and dad.

Museum staffers recently caught some video of them taking some howling lessons from their parents, though, right now, their howl sounds more like a high-pitched yip!

When guests visit they will likely notice that they look more like “tiny adults” than pups. All four are starting to show signs of the “lean” and “leggy” look often associated with red wolves as they grow into their long legs and the characteristic “cinnamon” colored coats. They have already developed the pointy ears and long muzzle of their parents.

The pups are now completely weaned and are eating a similar diet to their parents including exotic canine diet, specially formulated “meat balls,” and whole small prey items. While it might still occur from time to time, the Museum’s male red wolf is rarely regurgitating digested food for his pups; their full set of teeth means they can more easily chew and digest larger diet items without his assistance.

At last weigh-in in early August, all pups weighed between 8 to 11 kilograms, which is 17 to 24 pounds. The pups have come a long way from their initial birth weight of just under a half pound. All pups have steadily gained weight and the museum anticipates they will have gained even more weight when they evaluate them during their next health check. Adult red wolves typically weigh anywhere between 45 pounds and 80 pounds. The pups are right on track to fall within this range.

The next health check is scheduled for Sept. 11 and marks an important milestone for the red wolf family – It will be the pups’ final “well pup” checkup!  From this point forward, the pups will be on the same schedule as their parents and receive a hands-on health check just once a year. As members of the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan, the aim of all partner organizations is to preserve the wild nature of the captive red wolves population, which means limiting hands-on time and human contact unless absolutely necessary.  

The red wolf family is on display in the Durham museum's Explore the Wild exhibit.