Wolf Language
Aug 9, 2017 18:12:46 GMT
Post by Akane on Aug 9, 2017 18:12:46 GMT
Wolves, as we know, are very social creatures reliant on their families or 'packs' for order, routine and structure. Without the pack system, the species crumbles, so, to help people better understand their wolf characters, here is a compiled list of 'wolf language' ranging from body language, vocalisations and scents. Pack mentality and structure is vital to the survival of the individual members, if a wolf absconds from the pack, they are seen as what are commonly called dispersals- typically done for the sole purpose of mating, should they attempt to rejoin later or after an unsuccessful season, they not only have to submit to or fight (and win) the Alpha, but the rest of the pack to re-establish their rank in the hierarchy.
Body Language
Body language is a key indicator of a wolf's status or 'rank' and also allow the wolf to express intention and emotion towards another individual. Usually, there are two key postures to a wolf hierarchy.
-Dominance; Higher ranking wolves tend to carry themselves erect (stood up straight with their tail raised) and tend to place their heads on the necks and backs of subordinates as a display of dominance, this is often mistaken for affection, lower ranks, in the presence of a leader or 'Alpha' tend to make themselves as small as possible to say 'I don't want conflict'. The Alpha's facial expression and ear position is also an indicator of intention or emotion, usually if they are eating or taking possession of a mate, they tend to curl their lips back and wrinkle their nose as to indicate "I'm the boss, you don't do anything until I say it's ok", they may have a fixed stare towards an individual or object of interest, if the wolf returns the stare, it is seen as a formal challenge and a fight will ensue, if the other looks away, they accept the wolf as their leader. The ears may adopt a horizontal position on the head in times of a 'fixed stare' as a warning to back off.
-Submission; Lower ranking wolves show submission by rolling onto their backs, and exposing their teeth/opening their mouths, exposure of the stomach to the Alpha means to entrust the higher rank with the most vulnerable part of their body (when a wolf is on its back, sensitive tissues such as the throat and genitals become exposed). Omegas, or the lowest ranks, may not trust the Alpha due to in-pack bullying, and so tend to adopt a more 'crouched' approach with the tail tucked between its hind legs and ears bent backwards or 'lowered' to the head. Other submissive behaviors include licking the chins and noses of the higher ups.
Vocalisation
Vocalisations are the more well-known part of wolf behavior, taaking the form of yips, barks, growls, snarls, howls and whimpers. Whining and whimpering, even the occasional grunt now and again, usually indicating friendly responses but also a representation of anxiety or frustration, barking tending to be an alarm call and so rarely used within pack structure unless it is a dire emergency, and howls used to indicate something far more meaningful than just spotting the moon in the sky.
-Growling/Snarling; Growls and snarls typically indicate defense or to voice a threat or warning to another individual, these noises are typical of warning away strangers or asserting their dominance.
-Barking; As said above, barking is a rare occurrence in wolves and is typically that of an alarm signal to the rest of the pack when danger is detected.
-Whining/Whimpering; Whines and Whimpers are typical of friendly or playful interaction, but can also be indicative of "please leave me alone", "I feel anxious" or "you're the boss/I'm a lower rank than you"
-Howling; A lone howl, especially in the instance of the death of an Alpha, is usually always either their mate or a close relative who is mourning the passing, it can also be an indicator of a dispersal searching to form their own pack or scoping out an area which may be already claimed territory. Pack howls, or 'rallies', are used to demonstrate the strong social bond between each member and are usually started by the Alpha. These howls are a call to assembly, whether a territorial claim, declaration of pack solidarity and strength, or a celebration of being alive and together, there are also instances of longer, more sad howls, when a pack member is killed or passes on, where the pack mourn for their lost or fallen comrade.
Scent Communication
Scent is believed to be the most acute sense a wolf possesses, and the third key form of communication. Wolves have scent glands on the bottom of their pads between their toes, and in a dark spot on the underside of the tail, which produce a personal signature or imprint in the form of pheromones which also contains genetic information about the individual. Each individual has a unique smell, but interaction causes these scents to mingle and thus, wolves can then tell apart pack wolves from loners and dispersals. In the instance of females; when in the peak of their fertility cycle, these pheromones become stronger as an indicator that she can be impregnated, known as being 'in heat' or 'in season', it is during this time that most pack scuffles and power shifts tend to happen, as every male wants to be the one to get his genes (pups) into the world and thus secure their legacies and the future of their bloodlines.
-Scent Rolling; When wolves find something with a strong or unusual scent, such as an animal carcass, they tend to roll in their discovery, leaving their scent all over it as an indicator that they found it first, and also to help others, especially if on a hunt, to find it.
-Scent Marking; Wolves use scat and urine to mark the boundaries of their territories, a clear message to neighboring packs, dispersals and other animals alike that this is their patch.
Body Language
Body language is a key indicator of a wolf's status or 'rank' and also allow the wolf to express intention and emotion towards another individual. Usually, there are two key postures to a wolf hierarchy.
-Dominance; Higher ranking wolves tend to carry themselves erect (stood up straight with their tail raised) and tend to place their heads on the necks and backs of subordinates as a display of dominance, this is often mistaken for affection, lower ranks, in the presence of a leader or 'Alpha' tend to make themselves as small as possible to say 'I don't want conflict'. The Alpha's facial expression and ear position is also an indicator of intention or emotion, usually if they are eating or taking possession of a mate, they tend to curl their lips back and wrinkle their nose as to indicate "I'm the boss, you don't do anything until I say it's ok", they may have a fixed stare towards an individual or object of interest, if the wolf returns the stare, it is seen as a formal challenge and a fight will ensue, if the other looks away, they accept the wolf as their leader. The ears may adopt a horizontal position on the head in times of a 'fixed stare' as a warning to back off.
-Submission; Lower ranking wolves show submission by rolling onto their backs, and exposing their teeth/opening their mouths, exposure of the stomach to the Alpha means to entrust the higher rank with the most vulnerable part of their body (when a wolf is on its back, sensitive tissues such as the throat and genitals become exposed). Omegas, or the lowest ranks, may not trust the Alpha due to in-pack bullying, and so tend to adopt a more 'crouched' approach with the tail tucked between its hind legs and ears bent backwards or 'lowered' to the head. Other submissive behaviors include licking the chins and noses of the higher ups.
Vocalisation
Vocalisations are the more well-known part of wolf behavior, taaking the form of yips, barks, growls, snarls, howls and whimpers. Whining and whimpering, even the occasional grunt now and again, usually indicating friendly responses but also a representation of anxiety or frustration, barking tending to be an alarm call and so rarely used within pack structure unless it is a dire emergency, and howls used to indicate something far more meaningful than just spotting the moon in the sky.
-Growling/Snarling; Growls and snarls typically indicate defense or to voice a threat or warning to another individual, these noises are typical of warning away strangers or asserting their dominance.
-Barking; As said above, barking is a rare occurrence in wolves and is typically that of an alarm signal to the rest of the pack when danger is detected.
-Whining/Whimpering; Whines and Whimpers are typical of friendly or playful interaction, but can also be indicative of "please leave me alone", "I feel anxious" or "you're the boss/I'm a lower rank than you"
-Howling; A lone howl, especially in the instance of the death of an Alpha, is usually always either their mate or a close relative who is mourning the passing, it can also be an indicator of a dispersal searching to form their own pack or scoping out an area which may be already claimed territory. Pack howls, or 'rallies', are used to demonstrate the strong social bond between each member and are usually started by the Alpha. These howls are a call to assembly, whether a territorial claim, declaration of pack solidarity and strength, or a celebration of being alive and together, there are also instances of longer, more sad howls, when a pack member is killed or passes on, where the pack mourn for their lost or fallen comrade.
Scent Communication
Scent is believed to be the most acute sense a wolf possesses, and the third key form of communication. Wolves have scent glands on the bottom of their pads between their toes, and in a dark spot on the underside of the tail, which produce a personal signature or imprint in the form of pheromones which also contains genetic information about the individual. Each individual has a unique smell, but interaction causes these scents to mingle and thus, wolves can then tell apart pack wolves from loners and dispersals. In the instance of females; when in the peak of their fertility cycle, these pheromones become stronger as an indicator that she can be impregnated, known as being 'in heat' or 'in season', it is during this time that most pack scuffles and power shifts tend to happen, as every male wants to be the one to get his genes (pups) into the world and thus secure their legacies and the future of their bloodlines.
-Scent Rolling; When wolves find something with a strong or unusual scent, such as an animal carcass, they tend to roll in their discovery, leaving their scent all over it as an indicator that they found it first, and also to help others, especially if on a hunt, to find it.
-Scent Marking; Wolves use scat and urine to mark the boundaries of their territories, a clear message to neighboring packs, dispersals and other animals alike that this is their patch.