The grey wolf was once widespread across North America but was removed from most of its range (extirpated) due to overhunting. Today, thanks to strong conservation efforts, the species is making a comeback in some of its former habitats. While gray wolves no longer inhabit Nova Scotia, they are found elsewhere across Canada, primarily in northern, sparsely populated regions. They can live in a variety of habitats including woodlands, forests, tundra, deserts, and grasslands.

Grey wolves are carnivores that hunt cooperatively in packs, taking turns chasing a prey animal until it collapses from exhaustion or is driven into an ambush. Typically, gray wolves target large herbivores such as moose, caribou, mule deer, white-tailed deer, muskox, bison, and mountain sheep, though they also eat smaller mammals and fish.

Grey wolves mate for life and breed in March or April. After gestating for 9 weeks, females give birth to an average of 5-6 pups. Young wolves remain in a whelping den, located in a secluded area, for at least 1 month before gradually venturing outside. During this time the entire pack may stay nearby, with adults taking turns babysitting while the others hunt. By mid-autumn, the pups join the pack and begin participating in hunts alongside the adults.

Wolves have complex social behaviour within their packs, relying on body language as much as (if not more than) vocalizations to communicate. While packs work together more often in the winter, grey wolves usually separate into singles or pairs to hunt in the summer.