Research (boring unless you really like wolves)
(Of course, the real question is what will my [fictional] wolf be like ... )
Wolf Behavior 101
HALLOWEEN TRIVIA
Did you know why wolves have a strong background in Halloween lore? There are many reasons wolves are connected to the powers of darkness, beginning with the Bible. In several passages the wolf is associated with the devil and demons, possibly due to livestock depredations at the time? Werewolf literature dates back to nearly the same time as the Bible, and wolf/human shape shifters are known in legends of most world cultures. The werewolf became popular again during the Bubonic Plague as wolves were occasionally seen leaving the mass graves by moonlight. The people of the time believed the dead were transforming into wolves (under a full moon of course) to leave the mortal world behind.
Finally, wolves have strong ties to vampires as well. A wolf is one of the shapes a vampire may assume (the other common shapes being mist and a bat), and the great Count Dracula adored wolves. The Prince of Darkness referred to them as the "Children of the Night" and ".what sweet music they make", he said of their howling. With such history, it is no wonder how wolves have become an iconic symbol of Halloween. I guess everyone, even the powers of darkness, have something to enjoy and celebrate about wolves.
EYE POSITION
Gray wolves will look one another in the eye, as humans do, when communicating a greeting, dominance behaviors, and other social gestures. Wolf handlers at the Wolf Center are taught very early, even before meeting the pack, to look into the pack member's eyes when greeting. This allows the wolves opportunity to examine the emotions or mental state of the handler, a process that can be difficult to perceive from humans absent facial postures.
Another behavior to avoid with unknown canines, especially wolves, is the fixed (aggressive) stare directly into their eyes. Such a stare is a blatant challenge of that canine's rank and social status. If performed toward a dominant wolf, a reciprocal challenge and fight is likely to ensue. High ranking wolves use this technique to assert their rank over submissive pack members or as a challenge to another trespassing wolf pack.
Most humans unknowingly use eye posture to communicate with one another, or canines, just as wolves do. Think back to the last time you found yourself in close proximity to an aggravated or aggressive dog. You averted your gaze, right? Or the last time you disciplined your dog for an inappropriate behavior. Did you stare at them while reprimanding them? Wolves use this same eye posturing as an important communication tool, and if used properly, humans can more effectively communicate with canines around us every day.
TAIL POSTURE
There are two factors to evaluate when discussing tail posture: elevation and movement. The elevation of the tail correlates to the hierarchy rank of the individual, generally the higher the tail placement the higher the wolf's rank.
Erich Klinghammer and Pat Goodman (from Wolf Park) described five different tail heights that have become the standard in explaining all tail positions. As Klinghammer and Goodman described in their Wolf Ethogram, a T1 tail posture is when the tail is at full height, pointing straight up in the air. This position is typically reserved for the alpha-pair of the pack.
A T2 tail is when the tail extends in a straight line pointing away from the body, parallel with the spine and ground. This position is usually utilized by beta-males and other high ranking members.
A T3 tail occurs when the tail is held at a relaxed state, or pointing straight toward the ground. Most mid-ranking wolves maintain T3 tails. A T3.5 tail is when the tail points at the ground like a T3, however the tail is pressed against the back of the hind legs in this lower rank posture.
Finally, a T4 tail, which is usually reserved for omegas, is when the tail is tucked against the abdomen between the legs. Each individual wolf can alter their tail posture as necessary to communicate their dominance or submission. For example, a mid-ranking wolf may display a T2 tail when near an omega, but then quickly change the posture to a T3 or T3.5 if an alpha approaches the area.
CACHE BEHAVIOR
In the wild, wolves have many competitors for their food, especially ravens and other avian scavengers. In an attempt to protect food that cannot be consumed immediately, wolves have adopted a behavior known as caching. To cache is to bury food in a shallow depression thus preventing avian scavengers from detecting the item. Wolves then return and unearth the item later for a snack between kills.
A word of caution regarding cache sites -- all wolves aggressively defend their cache sites against all others. This poses the single greatest danger to handlers of any captive pack, and thus all dog owners should exercise caution when investigating any potential cache site.
Wolf Behavior 101
HALLOWEEN TRIVIA
Did you know why wolves have a strong background in Halloween lore? There are many reasons wolves are connected to the powers of darkness, beginning with the Bible. In several passages the wolf is associated with the devil and demons, possibly due to livestock depredations at the time? Werewolf literature dates back to nearly the same time as the Bible, and wolf/human shape shifters are known in legends of most world cultures. The werewolf became popular again during the Bubonic Plague as wolves were occasionally seen leaving the mass graves by moonlight. The people of the time believed the dead were transforming into wolves (under a full moon of course) to leave the mortal world behind.
Finally, wolves have strong ties to vampires as well. A wolf is one of the shapes a vampire may assume (the other common shapes being mist and a bat), and the great Count Dracula adored wolves. The Prince of Darkness referred to them as the "Children of the Night" and ".what sweet music they make", he said of their howling. With such history, it is no wonder how wolves have become an iconic symbol of Halloween. I guess everyone, even the powers of darkness, have something to enjoy and celebrate about wolves.
EYE POSITION
Gray wolves will look one another in the eye, as humans do, when communicating a greeting, dominance behaviors, and other social gestures. Wolf handlers at the Wolf Center are taught very early, even before meeting the pack, to look into the pack member's eyes when greeting. This allows the wolves opportunity to examine the emotions or mental state of the handler, a process that can be difficult to perceive from humans absent facial postures.
Another behavior to avoid with unknown canines, especially wolves, is the fixed (aggressive) stare directly into their eyes. Such a stare is a blatant challenge of that canine's rank and social status. If performed toward a dominant wolf, a reciprocal challenge and fight is likely to ensue. High ranking wolves use this technique to assert their rank over submissive pack members or as a challenge to another trespassing wolf pack.
Most humans unknowingly use eye posture to communicate with one another, or canines, just as wolves do. Think back to the last time you found yourself in close proximity to an aggravated or aggressive dog. You averted your gaze, right? Or the last time you disciplined your dog for an inappropriate behavior. Did you stare at them while reprimanding them? Wolves use this same eye posturing as an important communication tool, and if used properly, humans can more effectively communicate with canines around us every day.
TAIL POSTURE
There are two factors to evaluate when discussing tail posture: elevation and movement. The elevation of the tail correlates to the hierarchy rank of the individual, generally the higher the tail placement the higher the wolf's rank.
Erich Klinghammer and Pat Goodman (from Wolf Park) described five different tail heights that have become the standard in explaining all tail positions. As Klinghammer and Goodman described in their Wolf Ethogram, a T1 tail posture is when the tail is at full height, pointing straight up in the air. This position is typically reserved for the alpha-pair of the pack.
A T2 tail is when the tail extends in a straight line pointing away from the body, parallel with the spine and ground. This position is usually utilized by beta-males and other high ranking members.
A T3 tail occurs when the tail is held at a relaxed state, or pointing straight toward the ground. Most mid-ranking wolves maintain T3 tails. A T3.5 tail is when the tail points at the ground like a T3, however the tail is pressed against the back of the hind legs in this lower rank posture.
Finally, a T4 tail, which is usually reserved for omegas, is when the tail is tucked against the abdomen between the legs. Each individual wolf can alter their tail posture as necessary to communicate their dominance or submission. For example, a mid-ranking wolf may display a T2 tail when near an omega, but then quickly change the posture to a T3 or T3.5 if an alpha approaches the area.
CACHE BEHAVIOR
In the wild, wolves have many competitors for their food, especially ravens and other avian scavengers. In an attempt to protect food that cannot be consumed immediately, wolves have adopted a behavior known as caching. To cache is to bury food in a shallow depression thus preventing avian scavengers from detecting the item. Wolves then return and unearth the item later for a snack between kills.
A word of caution regarding cache sites -- all wolves aggressively defend their cache sites against all others. This poses the single greatest danger to handlers of any captive pack, and thus all dog owners should exercise caution when investigating any potential cache site.