Wolves communicate through howling, with European wolves having louder howls than North American wolves. They have been hunted by humans because they prey on farm animals. Wolves eat both large prey like moose and bison as well as medium prey such as deer and sheep. While once widespread, wolves are now extinct in many areas and primarily live in Canada, Alaska, Europe, and Asia. Wolf populations declined sharply in the 1970s before protections were established. Wolves live up to 12 years in the wild and over 16 years in captivity, with the recorded maximum being 20 years. The average wolf pack consists of 5 to 11 animals including breeding adults and offspring of varying ages. Wolves are part of the