Post by //Chanted\\ on Jan 4, 2009 12:43:58 GMT -5
Wolf Behaviors
Here are the behaviors that would normally take place inside of a wolf pack. You can use these in posts to convey emotion, submission, aggression, etc.
Howling
Howling is the well-known method that wolves use to communicate with each other. Wolves howl before hunts and after successful hunts. They call each other together this way as some wolves get separated when hunting. Howling while they hunt is not common, because it would alert prey to their presence. Wolves also howl in grief or distress when one dies or pups are separated. Howls are used to communicate with other packs as well. Wolves howl less frequently when younger pups are around them. (This might happen during May and June.)
Whimpers
Whimpering is a submissive or friendly sound that wolves use to greet others of their pack. This mostly takes place in young wolves and pups when they attempt to appear submissive.
Growls
Growling is a threatening gesture. Wolves do this when they are face to face with enemy wolves, or they are asserting themselves with aggression.
Barks
Wolves don't normally bark. When they do, it is normally for play or an alarm call. Wolves in captivity will bark more often when they are exposed to domesticated dogs.
Squeaks
Squeaks would most likely occur with younger pups. Older wolves would no do it as often.
Facial Gestures
The position of the ears is very important in a pack. Alphas will keep their ears erect, while the lower ranking wolves will keep them down most of the time. This happens when the lower ranks are in the presence of the Alphas. If any wolf is feeling apologetic or cautious, it will hold its ears back against its head. Happy, confident wolves hold their ears erect.
When wolves threaten others, all of the guard hairs on their bodies will stand up. They will also pull back their upper lip to bare their teeth.
Rebellious wolves will most likely get a stern stare from the Alpha if they refuse to submit.
Body Gestures
Body Gestures show dominance in wolf packs. For instance, an Alpha may hold its tail up high to assert itself. A lower ranking wolf will hold its tail down. The Omegas will most likely approach other wolves with their tails between their legs. Tail position also shows emotion. Confident wolves will hold their tails up, while frightened wolves hold their tail low or between their legs. Typically, most wolves hold their tails down when they are relaxed.
Alphas are the most dominant wolves in the pack, and are treated as such. Low ranking wolves will approach the Alpha with their bodies low to the ground and their ears and fur flat. Wolves will also lick or nip the Alphas muzzle. Most pups will do this to beg for food. When the Alpha comes back from being absent, most wolves will greet him/her in this manner. This is called active submission.
When an Alpha asserts himself/herself to a rebellious wolf, it will sometimes growl, bear its teeth, and crouch to the ground. Dominant wolves will also place their paws on the subservient wolf's shoulders and try to stand over it to assert authority.
Submitting is normally what the subservient wolf would do if a higher ranking wolf is in their presence. When this happens, the subservient wolf will lie on the ground and expose its side and belly. This is called passive submission. Alphas will normally accept passive submission as an apology.
Mating Season
During mating season, fights occur mostly between females. The Alpha female is mostly aggressive to Subordinate wolves during this time. She will attack any female who tries to mate with a male. This is the same for males. Alpha males will attack any males who try to mate with females. Serious injuries are rare however. Though this is a usual mating season habit, it can be rare in some packs, like the Vasyu, or frequent in others, like the Tungus.
Howling
Howling is the well-known method that wolves use to communicate with each other. Wolves howl before hunts and after successful hunts. They call each other together this way as some wolves get separated when hunting. Howling while they hunt is not common, because it would alert prey to their presence. Wolves also howl in grief or distress when one dies or pups are separated. Howls are used to communicate with other packs as well. Wolves howl less frequently when younger pups are around them. (This might happen during May and June.)
Whimpers
Whimpering is a submissive or friendly sound that wolves use to greet others of their pack. This mostly takes place in young wolves and pups when they attempt to appear submissive.
Growls
Growling is a threatening gesture. Wolves do this when they are face to face with enemy wolves, or they are asserting themselves with aggression.
Barks
Wolves don't normally bark. When they do, it is normally for play or an alarm call. Wolves in captivity will bark more often when they are exposed to domesticated dogs.
Squeaks
Squeaks would most likely occur with younger pups. Older wolves would no do it as often.
Facial Gestures
The position of the ears is very important in a pack. Alphas will keep their ears erect, while the lower ranking wolves will keep them down most of the time. This happens when the lower ranks are in the presence of the Alphas. If any wolf is feeling apologetic or cautious, it will hold its ears back against its head. Happy, confident wolves hold their ears erect.
When wolves threaten others, all of the guard hairs on their bodies will stand up. They will also pull back their upper lip to bare their teeth.
Rebellious wolves will most likely get a stern stare from the Alpha if they refuse to submit.
Body Gestures
Body Gestures show dominance in wolf packs. For instance, an Alpha may hold its tail up high to assert itself. A lower ranking wolf will hold its tail down. The Omegas will most likely approach other wolves with their tails between their legs. Tail position also shows emotion. Confident wolves will hold their tails up, while frightened wolves hold their tail low or between their legs. Typically, most wolves hold their tails down when they are relaxed.
Alphas are the most dominant wolves in the pack, and are treated as such. Low ranking wolves will approach the Alpha with their bodies low to the ground and their ears and fur flat. Wolves will also lick or nip the Alphas muzzle. Most pups will do this to beg for food. When the Alpha comes back from being absent, most wolves will greet him/her in this manner. This is called active submission.
When an Alpha asserts himself/herself to a rebellious wolf, it will sometimes growl, bear its teeth, and crouch to the ground. Dominant wolves will also place their paws on the subservient wolf's shoulders and try to stand over it to assert authority.
Submitting is normally what the subservient wolf would do if a higher ranking wolf is in their presence. When this happens, the subservient wolf will lie on the ground and expose its side and belly. This is called passive submission. Alphas will normally accept passive submission as an apology.
Mating Season
During mating season, fights occur mostly between females. The Alpha female is mostly aggressive to Subordinate wolves during this time. She will attack any female who tries to mate with a male. This is the same for males. Alpha males will attack any males who try to mate with females. Serious injuries are rare however. Though this is a usual mating season habit, it can be rare in some packs, like the Vasyu, or frequent in others, like the Tungus.