Introduction

Note: This Guide explains wolf behaviors, meanings and actions in relation to the wolves of the Sweet Mystics Pack. This Wolfing Guide is based on real life wolf facts and also includes behaviors relative to the Ways of the Sweet Mystics Pack. This Guide has been made in order to help Members and visitors of the Sweet Mystics to adapt real life wolf behavior into IRC wolfing. See also Real life vs IRC. The following Pages are Property of the Sweet Mystics (C) 2001.

The Sweet Mystics' way of 'wolfing' is rather unique compared to other roleplaying channels on IRC for the mere fact that we don't like to be referred to as Wolf "roleplayers". Roleplayers take on "characters" whom they are not and act out a role, choosing a personality for their roleplay characters that may or may not be of their real-life selves.

The Sweet Mystics are not roleplayers. The Sweet Mystic wolves portray their human counterparts. We act out our Wolfen Spirit through roleplaying as Wolf. Our wolves represent our own personalaities; nothing false. Our wolves are merely extensions of our human-selves. We as Pack share a unique bond to each other. The Sweet Mystics Pack considers each other as family, not fellow roleplayers. We are here to support one another, human and wolf alike.

Though all wolves hold their own personalities and express their differences, the Members are all expected to be 100% devoted to the Sweet Mystics Pack. Loyalty, trust, caring and a desire and effort to stay a Member are all traits of a Sweet Mystic.

~NevaPaws~
Elder Sweet Mystic

Introduction Choosing a Wolf Real Life Vs IRC Emotions through Body Language Dominance-Submission Everyday Behavior Cub Growth and Behavior Wolf Play Hunting-Eating Behavior Wolf Vocalization Wolf Tail Positions Wolf Facial Expressions Meeting NewComers

Choosing a Wolf

Keep in mind when choosing the characteristics of your wolf to look at yourself. If you are a playful human, be a playful wolf; maybe choose a younger wolf age. If you are a serious human, be a serious wolf; maybe choose an older more mature wolf age. A nontrusting person is a cautious wolf. Always remember our wolves represent our own Spirit. We are not false 'characters'. Our human and wolf are of one spirit and our personalities interwined to show that.

Wolves are encouraged to be as natural looking as possible. Describe your wolf as a Gray Wolf; subspecies are many and include Timber Wolves and Arctic Wolves. The other Wolf is the Red Wolf which is a completely different species from the Gray Wolf. Red wolves are rare and live in small packs.

Fur Color;
Within #soulwolves, you should use a natural wolf coloration such as white, gray, black... We don't like to see neon wolves in blue, purple, and green. The fur should be "normal" wolf fur, but as you know not every wolf's fur pattern is the same. Each reflect their own uniqueness.
A wolf's coat is thick and contains several layers, and isolates so well that snow upon it does not melt which means that you don't freeze even though it's - 50 degrees celcius!

Eye Color;
Most wolves' eyes reflect a soft to deep yellow, amber, greyish, or brownish coloring. Green is known in wolves but usually their eyes can be mixed with other yellowish or brownish tints as well. Wolf-cub eyes are a soft blue. However, a blue eye coloring is very rare in adult wolves.

Average Numbers;
Average Length (from nose to tail): males- 5 to 6.5 ft.; females- 4.5 to 5 ft.
Average Height (at shoulder): 26 to 32 inches
Average Weight: males- 70 to 110 lbs.; females- 60 to 80 lbs.

Young wolves are lanky; thinner than wolves over 2 years who have fuller coats. Males are bulkier then females.

Ages;
As for adults, a prime age is 2 years old; old enough for independence and young enough to still learn and listen from more experienced wolves. Your wolfen age is really up to the human behind your wolf. If you wish to be an older wolf, choose an age of 8 or higher. Wolves can live up to 13 years in the wild. A middle age would be between 4 and 7 years. A younger age would be 1 year to 3 years. Many wolves choose their wolf's age depending on how long they have been wolfing for, which isn't a bad idea. It helps others understand their level of experience.

To be a lone cub, I would advise an age of 6 months and older, no younger than 6 months. Even then its taking a chance because wolves only become independant at 1 year. Lone Pups cannot survive long on their own. Unlike adult wolves, wolf pups have predators out there. If you were to be a lone cub, you would have to be lost or abandoned only for a short time before finding a pack to care for you further. Wolves are social animals and depend on the Pack for nurturing and caring.
See also Cub Growth and Behavior

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Real Life Vs IRC

Here follows some of the differences between Real Life Wolves and the Sweet Mystics Pack. Though we strive for realism, we can not always be 100% realistic. We must acknowledge a part of us will always be human. *smiles*

Courting and Mating;
Ceremonies of Courtships and Mateships are used within TimberMyst Clearing instead of acting out of matings as the real life wolf, for appropriateness as this is a family channel. Courtships and Mateships must be approved by the Alpha and/or Beta.
Courting time is a good time to see if the two wolves really fit together. Real wolves do not start courting until the age of 2 but that age is changed within Sweet Mystics Pack to 1 year. However to make it more realistic, mated wolves cannot breed (or have a litter) until the age of 2 years or older.

Breeding;
Compared to real life packs where only the Alphas are allowed to mate and breed, IRC wolves are able to court, mate and breed with permission of Alpha and/or Beta. Breeding occurs rarely however; only when the food supply is abundant (it has not occurred within the Sweet Mystics as of yet). Adopting of lone cubs is a more common practice where adult wolves take in lost or wandering cubs with permission of Alpha.
See Cub Growth and Behavior

Dominance;
Real life wolf dominance fights are more aggressive than Sweet Mystics play fights; the clearing remains to be a peaceful and non-provoking home; dominant challenges are rare due to the loyalty each Member has to their Leaders.

Traveling;
IRC wolfpacks remain within the Clearing near the Alpha den all year round. They traveling within the nearby forests to find and hunt large prey. This is different to the real wolfpacks who travel constantly following where ever the opportunity of prey goes and only stay near a main densite during the breeding season.

Speaking;
Real life wolves don't speak but within IRC most packs including the Sweet Mystics communicate by speaking. Speaking within the Sweet Mystics is allowed but we try to express our emotions through our body lanaguage before explaining further in human terms. But the Sweet Mystics do speak for a variety of reasons which include to settle silly disputes, to share during Lore Night, to greet and bid farewell, to explain to newcomers our ways, to teach lessons to cubs (while using body langauge) and to have discussion during Pack Meetings, etc.
See Emotions through Body Language

Killing Prey;
Because the prey is killed by tearing and ripping of flesh, it usually dies of blood loss. Real Life wolves most often begin feasting on a kill before the prey actually dies. However, as humans and wolves alike, the Sweet Mystics will always wait until the prey dies (or passes on) until the Pack begins to feast on the prey. After the kill is made, the Sweet Mystics howl for the gift of food and victory of the hunt.

Eating After a Hunt;
Eating in real life packs follow highest ranking to lowest as the Sweet Mystics do. However when cubs are old enough to eat solid foods until they are 12 months, they are privileged to eat with the highest ranking. When they become Full Adults, they will be taught they're place and wait to eat like the other members.

Ages;
In real life, a wolf does not become fully mature until 2 years for females and 3 years for males. However, the Sweet Mystics have made their own age system. Wolves remain cubs until they are 12 months of age. When they turn 1 year, they become Adults. Wolves are allowed to court and mate at age 1 year, but they may not breed until the age of 2 years.

Ranks;
Normally in real-life wolf packs, there is an Alpha pair, Beta pair, subordinates (meaning adults), juveniles (young adults and pups), and an Omega, or scapegoat. Sweet Mystics tries to follow that general outline but extended the ranks. There is allowed an Alpha female and/or Alpha male, Beta female and/or Beta male, Subordinates (adult members), ranked Subordinates (which include Elders, Sentinels, CareTakers, Scouts, and Hunters), Omega female and/or Omega male, and pups.

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Emotions through Body Language

Happy/content
Facial expression: open mouth, tongue hanging loosely with lips drawn back, ears forward.
Body posture: relaxed, loose tail wagging
Vocalization: happy panting, chuffing

Anger/threatening
Facial expression: wrinkled nose, snarling with lips pulled forward, bared teeth, ears upright
Body posture: standing tall with arched neck, hackles raised, tail lifted stiffly or horizontal to back
Vocalization: snarling and growling. A low rumbling growl is subtle threat, whereas more high-pitched growling shows high aggressiveness.

Sadness/Mourning
Facial expression: ears droopy, eyes lowered
Body posture: head and body lowered, tail drooping, fur smoothed
Vocalization: whining. Wolves often howl when mourning a lost pack member.

Curious/Investigating
Facial expression: eyes widened/alert, ears perked forward
Body posture: head lifted, tail loose with tip curled upwards

Playfulness
Facial expression: open mouth, tongue hanging loosely with lips drawn back, ears forward
See: Wolf Play

Fear
Facial expression: mouth opened, ears flattened back, eyes widened
Body posture: crouched ready to spring, rounded back with tail close to body curled between or around legs
Vocalization: defensive growling and/or a high pitched whine

Humiliation
Facial expression: lips drawn back and downward, ears drawn back and flattened
Body posture: rounded back, tail half curled under

Submission

Facial expression: keeps mouth closed with lips drawn back, ears layed back and lowers eyes avoiding eye contact.
Body posture: lowered body with fur flattened, tail tucked under
Gesture: Wolves roll onto their back to present their vulnerable undersides as a sign of complete submission. They often paw at the other wolf's muzzle and face, encouraging play to ease the tension. To show mild and respectful submission a lower rank will lick under the dominant wolf’s muzzle and neck.
Vocalization: whimpering/whining

Warning/annoyance
Facial expression: staring directly at offending wolf, ears lifted and pointing forward, or flattened when showing annoyance
Body posture: fur ruffled, tail raised or flicking quickly
Gesture: The direct stare is a serious and stern way for a high-ranking wolf to warn another to obey or to back off. Often all a dominant wolf has to do to keep authority and peace is stare at a lower rank and it will immediately cringe, turn and slink away.
Vocalization: A soft growl may accompany the stare as a warning.

Suspicion
Facial expression: ears flattened, narrowed eyes
Body posture: Lifted head, tail slightly raised

Dominance
Facial expression: ears upright and forward, eyes keen/alert
Body posture: head lifted, standing tall and confident with tail raised high, sometimes curling backwards
Gesture: In a display of friendly dominance, a dominant wolf stands over another, closing its jaws gently over the wolf’s muzzle. This is a re-enforcement of status without bloodshed. In a simpler version of this, the dominant wolf arches its neck and nips the other on top of the muzzle.

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Dominance-Submission

The hierarchy in a wolf pack neutralizes aggression, reduces conflict and promotes social order. The social order consists of the highest ranking wolf which is known as the Alpha wolf. Within the Sweet Mystics, the Alpha female is NevaPaws. Below the Alpha comes the second highest ranking wolf which is the Beta. Within the Sweet Mystics, the Beta female is Nakomis. After those wolves come the subordinates or other adults wolves then follows the Omega which is the lowest ranking wolf and then follows the cubs. Within the Sweet Mystics, the subordinates consist of ranked and non-ranked wolves. In general much of a wolf's behaviour is directed towards asserting its own status or showing that it accepts the higher status of another wolf. In real life, this helps keep pack activities relatively stable and prevents fighting within the pack. Within the Sweet Mystic, these expressions of dominance is to promote harmony and understanding within TimberMyst Clearing and these expressions of submission is to show respect and reveal nonthreatening intentions to the Pack.

Surbordinates vs Alpha;
A low ranking wolf will often greet an Alpha wolf by keeping its body low to the ground, with its fur and ears flat. It will then reach up and gently lick or nip the muzzle of the Alpha wolf. Sometimes, all pack members will greet an Alpha in this manner when they return from being absent. This behaviour is called active submission; they know their place within the hierarchy and the Alpha does not need to assert they dominance. Harmony is kept.

Asserting Dominance;
If a subordinate wolf tries to challenge the authority of an Alpha wolf, the Alpha will assert their dominance. This can be done in a variety of ways.

-Sometimes, the Alpha will only need to give a stern stare to the rebellious wolf. Wolves do not look at each other directly in the eyes unless they are trying to express their dominance or threaten another wolf.
-The dominant wolf may have to growl and bare its teeth at the rebellious wolf.
-The higher ranking wolf may crouch on the ground as if it were going to pounce on the offender.
-A dominant wolf will also seize the muzzle of a subordinate wolf to assert its authority.
-A dominant animal may also place its front paws across the shoulders of a subordinate animal to assert its authority.

When the subordinate wolf is ready to submit, it will lie on the ground and expose its side and belly to the Alpha. This act is called passive submission, and the alpha wolf will accept it as though it were an apology. Within the Sweet Mystics, submission to a higher ranking wolf is a show of respect to their Rank and Pack. A visitor within the Sweet Mystics Clearing will be expected to submit to a higher ranking Member if they challenge a wolf within the Clearing.

Subtle Dominance and Submission;
A dominant wolf will sit up from laying down or stand up from sitting to express their dominance to an approaching wolf in a mild manner. A dominant wolf will also tilts its muzzle up to offer their chin to a submissive wolf. In response, a submissive wolf would lick or nip the higher ranked wolf's chin gently as a show of respect. Dominant wolves hold their tail higher than others when asserting dominance without being overly aggressive..

A submissive wolf will sit or lay down in front of a more dominant wolf to express their submission. Submissive wolves hold their tail lower than other wolves. Example; visitors should be more submissive then Assessments and Members within the Sweet Mystics Clearing. Assessments should be more submissive to Pack Members. Members should be submissive to Alpha and Beta. Beta should be submissive to their Alpha.

Dominance within Sweet Mystics;
As the Sweet Mystics are a peaceful and nonprovoking WolfPack, dominance is more likely to be expressed in a non-aggressive manner. The Alpha female will express dominance toward opposing wolves when need be. The Sweet Mystics are instinctly wary of new visitors and therefore will show more dominance toward first time visitors to find out their intentions.
See Meeting NewComers

The following pictures show certain submissive/dominant behaviors with explainations:

This picture is a direct show of dominance. The black wolf is the Alpha, tail raised high, muzzle lifted, ears perked. The brown wolf does not passively submit but does not object this Alpha's dominance. This may be the Alpha and Beta.

The black wolf is the more dominant in this picture. This may be a play fight or a dominance fight the black wolf is breaking up. The wolf below the black wolf quickly tucks its tail in submission but remains challenging toward the wolf in the back. The black wolf keeps the harmony between the two if this is not a play fight.

This picture shows two subordinate wolves. The black wolf is knocking down the other wolf in a show of playful dominance. Both of their tails are relaxed. This display with both of their tails relaxed would not be consider a strong show of dominance.

This picture shows three dominant wolves bullying most likely the Omega who is displaying a rolling submit. This could be in all play but can also be the three dominant wolves expressing their higher rank to the scapegoat of the Pack; the Omega. The highest rank here would be the black wolf to the left. The second highest ranking would be the wolf to the back right; its tail just lower than the black wolf's tail. The third highest ranking would be the wolf with its tail midlevel; its knows it place among the other higher ranked wolves but expresses its dominance to the Omega on the ground.

The black wolf is this picture gives a quick snarl and direct stare to the two young cubs as a warning they overstepped their boundaries. The cubs learn quickly their place in the hierarchy as they grow older and back off without objection.

This is a more playful show of submission with the wolf on the ground pawing up at the more dominant wolf. This can also be a show of affection or an encouraging of play. Still the dominant wolf stands over a submissive wolf.

This picture shows a dispute of status. The wolf on the right is clearly the more dominant wolf; its ears are fully perked in a sharp snarl. Even though the wolf on the left objects to this, you can see it is the more submission one; their ears are layed back defensively and it seems to be drawing back. In the end, the less dominant wolf would submit or be attacked by the dominant wolf.

This picture shows two very high ranking wolves pouncing at a lower ranked wolf. The higher ranked is the black wolf because their tail is raised almost fully vertically. The other wolf (look very close) is behind the black wolf; their tail is raised midlevel. They are showing who is 'top dog'. The wolf on the ground is expressing a rolling submit by exposing its chest to the others.

The above picture shows a small hierarchy. The more dominant wolf is to the left. Their tail is raised to the plane of their back. The middle wolf is the lower ranking wolf; their tail is tucked showing their submissive stance. The second ranking in this picture would be the black wolf to the right; their tail is hanging low but not tucked as the middle wolf's is.

This picture shows an example of the rolling submit. This behavior in also shown in play fights, telling who won. The wolf submitting has its tail tucked and is pawing up at the more dominant wolf.

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Everyday Behavior

Common Actions;

Scent marking is shown by males usually urinating on the ground, trees or bushes. As the one of the Alphas is female, dominate females pat the ground with their hind paws to mark their scent. Wolves have scent glands between the pads of their toes. The Sweet Mystics Territory includes TimberMyst clearing as well as the surrounding forests. The Alphas routinely re-scentmark the territory's boundaries where the forests end a few miles away from the clearing. However most often one would witness a packmate marking their scent at the clearing's edge.

Sniffing is done to exchange information and remember each wolf. Wolves sniff each others furs, sometimes cirling them as well. Dominant wolves will raise their tail, submissive wolves (ex, visitors) will lower their tails, and subordinate members will keep their tails midlevel. This depends on who's meeting who. Ex, if an Assessment is meeting a visitor, the assesement will keep their tail midlevel, not submissive, not dominant. However, if an Assessment were to meet a Pack Member, their tail would be lowered.

Growling can be a warning, to teach, a threat or an affectionate growl depending on the situation. A good way to tell if it is a threatening growl would be to know if the teeth are bared.

Nuzzling is a sign of affection, friendship or love, wolves do this by rubbing their muzzle to one another and into another's fur. usually this is accomplanied by murring. A high ranking wolf would have their ears at normal stance, slightly perked but relaxed and a subordinate would have their ears slightly pulled back.
Murring is the sound of a wolf that is happy, content and/or just relaxing. It's a kind of purr for wolves. Murring is a sound of affection, friendship or companionship. .

A direct stare is considered a threat, especially by a visitor to the clearing. A dominant wolf may react with a challenging stare back or a sharp growl and baring of teeth.

Ears perked may represent dominance, caution, or merely curiousity depending on the situation.

Hunting
The Alphas, Betas, and ranked Hunters are responsible to call Group Hunts within the Sweet Mystics. Large hunts are usually conducted once or twice a week. Members and Assessments to the Pack are welcome to hunt small prey within the clearing. The food supply is kept at the base of Myst Tree. During Spring and Summer, food is buried in caches to store and eat later. During the Winter, the ground freezes and the Pack hunts and eats whenever they get the chance to.

Affection
Much of the Pack's time is spent within the clearing bonding with family, friends, and visitors. Adults and cubs alike will engage in play, bounding, wrestling, and chasing each other and afterwards collapse in a heap and nuzzle and lick each other. Grooming a packmate or friend is another past-time enjoyed by many of the wolves within the Sweet Mystics.

Howling
Howling can signal many things within the Sweet Mystics Pack. An Alpha or Beta will howl at 'Spirit Rock' to call a Meeting or they may howl at the edge of the clearing to call a Group Hunt. To celebrate an Intiation within the Pack, wolves will howl. To call a Member's attention or simply to praise the unity of the Pack, a Member will begin a howl hoping others will join in. After a hunt, the Hunters will howl for the gift of food and victory of the hunt. Wolves also howl when missing a loved one or mourning the loss of a wolf.

Visitors
Visitors are frequent within the clearing. When an unknown visitor enters, the highest ranking Member usually greets first and makes sure the visitor's intentions are respectful. Many members are wary of new wolves at an initial meeting. So long as visitors show no threat and act respectfully they are welcome to rest and visit. The Pack loves meeting new wolves!

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Cub Growth and Behavior

Late winter breeding takes place. The pups are born nine weeks later, usually in spring or early summer, where survival is favored. Pups born during plentiful times have the best chance of survival, meaning before the cold and snow of winter arrive.

Preparation for the birth of the pups is a group effort. While the mother begins to prepare one or more dens, the other pack members store food for her to eat, burying it in caches near the den site. The pregnant female may create a den in a cave, a hollow log, or an abandoned den usually of a fox or beaver. Often the female prepares more than one den as a backup site, in case environmental conditions or encroaching animals threaten the pups. A new den may be complete three weeks before the pups are due. Most often a day before the birth, the mother will enter the confinement of the den.

Often the litter size is five or six pups, but can be as little as one or as much as eleven. At birth, pups weigh one pound, cannot hear or see and cannot regulate their own body temperature, depending completely on their mother their first weeks of life. Their mother is the only member of the pack that has contact with them during this time.

All pups have soft, fuzzy brown or black fur at birth with small, droopy ears and blunt muzzles. Within two weeks pups open their eyes and most often begin to walk at this time as well. Between 3-4 weeks they begin to develop real vision. Their eyes are a baby blue, but usually change as they mature. Up to this time, they have fed off their mother's milk. At around three weeks, pups begin to eat semisolid food regurgitated by their mother. They leave the confinement of the den by around 1 month and begin traveling with the pack by 3-5 months. Since irc wolves don't really travel and stay in the clearing, this would mean the pups would stay close to the den and meet the members for up to 3-5 months, then may start exploring the territory. Pups are independant at about 1 year.

The pack is overly excited when greeting the young pups as they are the pack's future. The pack members welcome the pups with licks and nuzzles, sniffing the new scents. Each wolf now takes the role of CareTaker. Each member provides food, play, and protection for the pups. Adults carry food back for the pups announcing their arrival with little squeaking noises. The pups in turn greet them squeaking, begging, tail wagging then nibble and lick the feeder's muzzle to stimulate regurgitation.

Cubs 3 to 5 months old will begin to learn how to hunt small prey with guidance from the leaders. At 6 to 8 months they may begin hunting medium prey with the Pack. At 9 to 11 months they may hunt big prey with the pack and 12 months to hunt Huge prey. The cubs must be accompanied during their first year. After their first year, they are treated as adult members.

Note:Pups are NOT born into the pack. They need to be evaluated just like any other Pack Member through Assessment Periods. Most often lone, lost, or abandoned pups are adopted by the Sweet Mystics.

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Wolf Play

Want to Play?:

Wolves use different gestures to ask each other to play. When a wolf wants to play, it will approach another wolf and it will bow down with its front feet on the ground and its rear in the air with the tail wagging. It may also wipe its paw against the other wolf's face. If the other wolf wants to play, it will approach the initiator, who may then stay in the crouched position or who may then bound away encouraging a chase. The two will play fight or chase each other until they are tired. While wolves play, they may growl at each other playfully, let out loud, high-pitched dog-like yips, or gently bite and nip each other. Wolf pups are constantly playing, and adult wolves enjoy the company of playmates as well.

Playful Actions:

bowing- Wolves will lower their front and watches another wolf hoping to play, their tails are usually wagging

snorking- sticking your nose in another's wolf ear and...yuck!! You can also snork the tummy!!

frothing- drool, nosey, drool, drool, mmmm frothigoodness

pouncing- wolves jump on each other in surprise and play

taunting- wolves will pounce the ground, rump in the air, usually giving off a playful growl then scamper backwards and pounce the ground again, enticing a lazy wolf to come play

chasing- usually after taunting a wolf will stand up and run after the playmate and try to bring them down with a playful pounce

nipping- of the scruff/ears/muzzle/tail

wrestling- wolves love rolling around the ground, pawing each others muzzle flopping over each other

Sounds of play- growling, chuffing, panting, yelping, yipping

hide-n-seek (game)- sometimes wolves will scamper away from a playmate, run around the clearing, and find a good hiding spot, the other playmate will sniff around the area trying to find the hiding wolf

mockplay/playfight (game)- wolves usually pounce the ground and growl to play challenge another wolf, usually they'll suddenly pounce another playmate, wrestling, scruffing them, growling, chuffing, and running around tail wagging

wolf hopping (game)- cubs hop over the other cubs or adults to encourage play (i have a really cute picture of this i can scan :))

After play, wolves most often curl up with their playmate and nuzzle, lick and groom one another as a sign of friendship and affection, showing it was all in good fun.

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Hunting-Eating Behavior

The wolf is an ultimate predator at the top of the food chain The wolf is designed for running, catching and killing large animals The wolf is opportunistic and will attempt to catch the easiest and most vulnerable animal The wolf can kill healthy animals but naturally seeks out the sick, the weak, crippled, old and young animals Wolves are vulnerable to skull injury from kicking prey The canine teeth "interlock" so the wolf can grip and hang on to struggling prey The back teeth, or carnassial molars, are designed to crush bones and shear meat The wolf's sense of smell is more than 100 times greater than a human A wolf's front feet are larger than their back feet Wolves use direct scenting, chance encounter, and tracking to locate prey In scenting an animal, wolves must usually be downwind of the prey Wolves are active at all times of the day in winter Wolves actually have a low hunting success rate To catch enough food, wolves must hunt often and test many animals before finding one that they can catch and kill The wolf's front teeth are sharp and pointed and adapted to puncturing, slashing, and clinging The wolf's pointed premolars and molars are useful for tearing and shearing once the prey has been killed The wolf's massive rear molars aid in cracking and crushing bones The wolf does little chewing. A wolf can consume almost twenty pounds of prey at a feeding The wolf feeds almost exclusively on flesh, bones, and other animal matter

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Wolf Vocalization

The howl is one important method wolves use to communicate with each other, but it is by no means the most important way. The howl is, however, the most well known method that wolves use to communicate to each other. Contrary to popular belief, wolves do not howl for the sake of howling at the moon, and despite the traditional imagery, wolves do not always sit when they howl. They may stay standing. Also, wolves do not howl only at night. They will howl during the daytime, and they often howl together in a group. One wolf in the pack will start the howling session by pointing its nose towards the sky and howling. The other members of the pack will soon join in excitedly. Under ideal conditions, wolf howls can be heard from as far away as 10 miles (16 km). While howling, wolves often alter their voices considerably. Because of that, people are often "fooled" into believing that there are more wolves present that there really are when they hear wolf howls. People have often guessed, based on listening its howls, that a pack of wolves contained up to 20 individuals, when there were only 3 or 4. Some people have claimed that wolves do that deliberately, in order to fool neighbouring packs into believing that there are more animals present than there really are. However, many naturalists and wolf biologists do not accept that idea. Wolves seem to howl for many reasons. They often howl before they go on a hunt, possibly to reaffirm their closeness, and they often begin to howl after a successful hunt. That suggests that howling serves to assemble a pack together, as wolves often become separated from each other during a hunt. In addition, a wolf may howl alone if it is having troubles locating its pack, as pack members seem to recognize each other's voices, as individual wolves often have their own characteristic way of howling. Wolves will also howl in apparent grief after the death of their mates, and lonely wolf pups often howl in distress. And, as R. D. Lawrence has written in his book, Trail of the Wolf, "somewhat like humans, they [wolves] enjoy a singsong." Wolf packs may also howl to communicate with other packs, as two different wolf packs will sometimes answer each other's howls. L. D. Mech (1970) notes that wolves often remain silent for 20-30 minutes after a howling session. He suggests that such a silent period would allow each pack to listen for other wolf packs. If different packs repeated their howling right away, it would be difficult for any one pack to determine how many other packs were in the area. In addition, each wolf in a pack has its own characteristic way of howling. That could help other packs determine the number of wolves in that pack, and this suggests that wolves howl to let other wolves how large their pack is and where they are. Wolves are howl less frequently during May and June than they do during the rest of the year. That is the time that packs are most likely to have young pups present. It is possible that wolf packs who have young pups present often keep silent so they do not attract attention to their whereabouts, since pups are vulnerable to predators like bears and cougars.

Wolf Sounds:

chuff -- a kid of muffled bark used to communicate, irc wolves chuff to greets and bid farewell, in play, to get another wolves attention.

gruff- a growl-chuff, can be playful or expressing annoyance

sigh- a happy sigh, or sad sigh, wolves sigh when they are tired as well

bark/woof- Wolves bark to warn the Pack of danger. Wolves do not bark for the same reasons as domestic dogs. This is a sound of distress or warning.

howl- Wolves howl for many reasons; to call hunts or gatherings, after hunt wolves howl for the spirit of the prey killed to feed the Pack, wolves howl to mourn a missing packmate or simply to honor the Spirit of the Wolf

whimper- pups whimper, adults occosionally whimper to express joy or happiness to be with a loved one, whimpering can also show sadness

whine- whining is for distress or if a wolf is frightened, wolves also whine is they are sad

pant- Wolves pant when they are worn out after play or a hunt, they pant when they are hot in the summer to release heat. The tongue lolls out of a wolf's mouth.

murr- sound of affection toward mates, packmates and other wolf friends, murring can be compared to purring from a cat.

growl- There are many meaning for growling. Growling expresses dominance to other wolf or a threat to keep there distance. If a wolf growls they may be expressing annoyance toward another wolf. Growling is a subtle warning to know your place. Growling can also be in play taunting a fellow playmate.

snarl- snarling is a more serious form of growling. When a wolf snarls at another, there teeth are bared in warning. This can be accompanied by a direct stare from a dominant wolf. It is a warning to step back or stop the wrong behavior of another.

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Wolf Tail Positions

Wolves use a variety of facial gestures and body postures to show where they stand in the pack's hierarchy. The position of a wolf's tail can be used to tell whether or not it is a dominant wolf or a subservient wolf. The alpha wolves of a pack generally hold their tails up very high, and the subservient wolves keep their tails hanging down. Very low ranking wolves will hold their tails between their legs or curved alongside their legs, and subservient wolves often tuck their tails between their legs when approaching an alpha wolf to show that they acknowledge the alpha wolf's place in the pack's hierarchy. The position of a wolf's tail can also be used to tell what kind of a mood it's in. A confident wolf holds its tail up high, and a frightened wolf will hold its tail between its legs. The normal position for a wolf's tail is down, and wolves typically hold their tails this way. For Detailed pictures on Tail Positions Go to Wolf Facts Page

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Wolf Facial Expressions

The position of a wolf's ears can also be used to tell where it stands in the pack's hierarchy or how it is feeling. Alpha wolves always keep their ears erect, while lower ranking wolves often keep them flattened, particularly when they approach an alpha wolf. A wolf who is feeling cautious or apologetic will hold its ears back against its head, and a happy, confident or playful wolf will hold its ears high and erect. A wolf that wants to threaten another will hold its ears forward. Also, dominant wolves (regardless of sex) urinate with the raised leg position and subservient wolves squat down to urinate. The condition of a wolf's fur can also be used to determine its status. Subservient wolves generally keep their fur flat, while alpha wolves keep their fur looking more fluffed-out. All of the guard hairs on a wolf's body will stand on end if it is trying to threaten another wolf, and it will also raise its upper lip to bear its teeth..

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Meeting NewComers

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