Post by Lord Hemlock on Jan 5, 2016 22:38:55 GMT
Welcome! Need some help with enhancing the realism of your posts? Well, then! You've come to the right place!
(Big thanks to Dovh for lending us his handy-dandy know how of wolves!)
~~~
Posture of wolves
Dominant Wolf – A dominant wolf stands stiff legged and tall. Their ears are erect and forward and the hackles bristle slightly. Often the tail is held vertical and curled toward the back. This display shows the wolfs rank to all others in the pack. A dominant wolf may stare penetratingly at a submissive one, pin it to the ground, ‘ride up’ on its shoulders, or even stand on its hind legs.
Angry Wolf – An angry wolfs ears are erect and its fur bristles. Their lips may curl up or pull back and the incisors are displayed. The wolf may also snarl.
Aggressive Wolf – A aggressive wolf may snarl and crouch backwards ready to pounce. Hairs will also stand erect on its back.
Fearful Wolf – A frightened wolf will try to make its body look small and therefore less conspicuous. Their ears flatten down against the head and the tail may be tucked between the legs, as with a submissive wolf. There may also be whimpering or barks of fear and the wolf may arch its back.
Defensive Wolf – A defensive wolf lays its ears back flat against its head.
Suspicious Wolf – A suspicious wolf will narrow its eyes and pull back its ears. Its tail will be pointed straight outwards parallel to the ground if it suspects danger.
Relaxed Wolf – The tail of a relaxed wolf will hang down relaxed or it may wag. The more its tail hangs down, the more relaxed the wolf is. The wolf may also sit like a sphinx or roll on its side.
Happy Wolf – A happy wolf will wag its tail just like a dog and will have its tongue lolled out.
Playful Wolf – A playful wolf holds its tail high and wags it. The wolf may frolic and dance around, or bow by placing the front of its body down to the ground, while holding their rear high, sometimes wagged. This is reminiscent of the playful behaviour displayed in domestic dogs.
Hunting Wolf – A hunting wolf will be tense and have its tail pointing straight out.
Submissive Wolf (Active) – In active submission, the entire body is lowered and the lips and ears are drawn back. Sometimes active submission is accompanied by muzzle licking, or the rapid thrusting out of the tongue and lowering of the hindquarters. Their tail is placed down, or halfway or fully between the legs and the muzzle often points up to the more dominant animal. Their back may be partially arched as the submissive wolf humbles itself to its superior. (A more arched back and more tucked tail indicate a greater level of submission.)
Submissive Wolf (Passive) – Passive submission is more intense than active submission. The wolf rolls on its back and exposes its vulnerable throat and underside. Their paws are drawn into the body. This is often accompanied by whimpering.
~~~
Ears
Forward ears ~ This means the wolf is alert, or listening out for something. If the ears are perked the whole way the wolf is sensing a threat or can hear prey
Back ~ This can mean the wolf is angry, or submitting out of fear. When a wolfs ears fold backwards they can bare their teeth to snarl, they flatten their ears so the attention is on their teeth and that their ears do not get damaged if they intend to fight. This also goes for those who are submitting out of fear, they lower their ears to the higher rank doesn't claw them off.
To the side - The wolf is either steady, confused, defensive or protective. Wolves often level their ears out to stop them from getting cold, but they also show emotions such as confusion, if one is tilted slightly upwards from the other. Defensive can come before they are folded back and same with protective. They often have their ears remaining to the side while walking with the alpha, unless there is need to perk. They also do this during play.
Normal/relaxed - Nothing is bothering the wolf so the ears are in their natural position on the head.
~~~
Tails
High tail - This high tail position indicated the wolf is the dominant wolf, most likely an alpha male or female (the ones that lead the pack).
Stiff - This horizontal stiffly held tail position indicated the wolf is going to attack or is hunting.
Wagging - The wagging of a wolf's tail in this manner indicates that the wolf is relaxed.
Semi-drooped - This somewhat drooped tail position indicated the wolf is relatively relaxed.
Drooped - This drooped tail position indicated the wolf is even more relaxed.
Half tuck - This half tail tuck along with a partially arched back indicated that a wolf is humbling itself to a more dominant wolf and is a form of submission.
Tuck - This fully tucked tail along with a highly arched back shows that a wolf is extremely in fear of something (a more dominant wolf) and is another form of submission.
~~~
Communication through scent
Canines have more olfactory receptors than humans. The olfactory receptors are organs located in the nose that are responsible for smell. A wolf uses smell to locate members of the pack, food, and intruders. Research has shown that wolves can detect smells up to 3 kilometres. Wolves also use their sense of smell as a means of communication. Wolves mark their territory with feces and urine, when wolves enter a territory that is not their own they can smell the “scent markings”. This tells them that the area is already taken by another wolf.
~~~
Howls
One of the ways wolves communicate is with their voices. There is no sound that I know that compares with the beauty and strength of a howling wolf. There are many theories as to why a wolf howls. Wolves can howl at any time of the day not just at a full moon. Although it is believed that a pack may be more active during the full moon because of the additional light. Howling serves many purposes but no one knows all of the reasons a wolf howls. A single wolf howling can sound like 3 or more wolves howling. Howls can change in length and seldom a wolf stays on the same note while howling, this gives the howl a harmonic effect also called “shift pitch”. A group howl usually starts with a few sharp barks, followed by a low howl that gets louder as
the other wolves join in. Wolves also bark to warn other pack members of danger or to challenge an enemy. They often growl in dominance disputes or
other kinds of “fights.” They make a squeaking noise to call the pups, and the pups’ mother will whimper to calm them down. A howl may range from half-second in duration to about eleven seconds. Depending on the weather conditions the howl of a wolf can be heard up to 10 miles away.
Some other reasons a wolf may howl:
* To notify other pack members of their location.
* To inform other packs of where they are and their own territory.
* For the attraction of a mate.
* To reassemble a scattered pack.
* To get a pack riled up before a hunt
* When disturbed
* When stressed (most often by wolf pups)
* At the presence of an intruder
* After playing or other social events
* After waking up
* To call for help
~~~
Facial expressions
Happy - The wolf is happy expression includes an open mouth, tongue hanging loosely, and ears forward.
Suspicion/threat/anxiety/submission - The emotions that are expressed through body language are suspicion, threat, anxiety, and submission. Threat behaviour is quite different. The threatening animal – dog or wolf – wrinkles its nose, opens its mouth, bares its teeth, pulls its lips forward, and erects its ears. Usually this expression is accompanied by a growl or a snarl.
Anxiety (2) - The anxious wolf on the receiving end of the threat puts on a very different face. It keeps its mouth closed and its lips drawn way back, lays back its ears, and whines.
Stare - One of the most useful expressions of an alpha wolf is the “fixed stare,” or glare. Often, all an alpha has to do is stare at a subordinate wolf, and that animal will immediately cringe, turn, and slink away.
Licking another's mouth - The wolf is hungry and is asking permission from the higher ups to eat
(Big thanks to Dovh for lending us his handy-dandy know how of wolves!)
~~~
Posture of wolves
Dominant Wolf – A dominant wolf stands stiff legged and tall. Their ears are erect and forward and the hackles bristle slightly. Often the tail is held vertical and curled toward the back. This display shows the wolfs rank to all others in the pack. A dominant wolf may stare penetratingly at a submissive one, pin it to the ground, ‘ride up’ on its shoulders, or even stand on its hind legs.
Angry Wolf – An angry wolfs ears are erect and its fur bristles. Their lips may curl up or pull back and the incisors are displayed. The wolf may also snarl.
Aggressive Wolf – A aggressive wolf may snarl and crouch backwards ready to pounce. Hairs will also stand erect on its back.
Fearful Wolf – A frightened wolf will try to make its body look small and therefore less conspicuous. Their ears flatten down against the head and the tail may be tucked between the legs, as with a submissive wolf. There may also be whimpering or barks of fear and the wolf may arch its back.
Defensive Wolf – A defensive wolf lays its ears back flat against its head.
Suspicious Wolf – A suspicious wolf will narrow its eyes and pull back its ears. Its tail will be pointed straight outwards parallel to the ground if it suspects danger.
Relaxed Wolf – The tail of a relaxed wolf will hang down relaxed or it may wag. The more its tail hangs down, the more relaxed the wolf is. The wolf may also sit like a sphinx or roll on its side.
Happy Wolf – A happy wolf will wag its tail just like a dog and will have its tongue lolled out.
Playful Wolf – A playful wolf holds its tail high and wags it. The wolf may frolic and dance around, or bow by placing the front of its body down to the ground, while holding their rear high, sometimes wagged. This is reminiscent of the playful behaviour displayed in domestic dogs.
Hunting Wolf – A hunting wolf will be tense and have its tail pointing straight out.
Submissive Wolf (Active) – In active submission, the entire body is lowered and the lips and ears are drawn back. Sometimes active submission is accompanied by muzzle licking, or the rapid thrusting out of the tongue and lowering of the hindquarters. Their tail is placed down, or halfway or fully between the legs and the muzzle often points up to the more dominant animal. Their back may be partially arched as the submissive wolf humbles itself to its superior. (A more arched back and more tucked tail indicate a greater level of submission.)
Submissive Wolf (Passive) – Passive submission is more intense than active submission. The wolf rolls on its back and exposes its vulnerable throat and underside. Their paws are drawn into the body. This is often accompanied by whimpering.
~~~
Ears
Forward ears ~ This means the wolf is alert, or listening out for something. If the ears are perked the whole way the wolf is sensing a threat or can hear prey
Back ~ This can mean the wolf is angry, or submitting out of fear. When a wolfs ears fold backwards they can bare their teeth to snarl, they flatten their ears so the attention is on their teeth and that their ears do not get damaged if they intend to fight. This also goes for those who are submitting out of fear, they lower their ears to the higher rank doesn't claw them off.
To the side - The wolf is either steady, confused, defensive or protective. Wolves often level their ears out to stop them from getting cold, but they also show emotions such as confusion, if one is tilted slightly upwards from the other. Defensive can come before they are folded back and same with protective. They often have their ears remaining to the side while walking with the alpha, unless there is need to perk. They also do this during play.
Normal/relaxed - Nothing is bothering the wolf so the ears are in their natural position on the head.
~~~
Tails
High tail - This high tail position indicated the wolf is the dominant wolf, most likely an alpha male or female (the ones that lead the pack).
Stiff - This horizontal stiffly held tail position indicated the wolf is going to attack or is hunting.
Wagging - The wagging of a wolf's tail in this manner indicates that the wolf is relaxed.
Semi-drooped - This somewhat drooped tail position indicated the wolf is relatively relaxed.
Drooped - This drooped tail position indicated the wolf is even more relaxed.
Half tuck - This half tail tuck along with a partially arched back indicated that a wolf is humbling itself to a more dominant wolf and is a form of submission.
Tuck - This fully tucked tail along with a highly arched back shows that a wolf is extremely in fear of something (a more dominant wolf) and is another form of submission.
~~~
Communication through scent
Canines have more olfactory receptors than humans. The olfactory receptors are organs located in the nose that are responsible for smell. A wolf uses smell to locate members of the pack, food, and intruders. Research has shown that wolves can detect smells up to 3 kilometres. Wolves also use their sense of smell as a means of communication. Wolves mark their territory with feces and urine, when wolves enter a territory that is not their own they can smell the “scent markings”. This tells them that the area is already taken by another wolf.
~~~
Howls
One of the ways wolves communicate is with their voices. There is no sound that I know that compares with the beauty and strength of a howling wolf. There are many theories as to why a wolf howls. Wolves can howl at any time of the day not just at a full moon. Although it is believed that a pack may be more active during the full moon because of the additional light. Howling serves many purposes but no one knows all of the reasons a wolf howls. A single wolf howling can sound like 3 or more wolves howling. Howls can change in length and seldom a wolf stays on the same note while howling, this gives the howl a harmonic effect also called “shift pitch”. A group howl usually starts with a few sharp barks, followed by a low howl that gets louder as
the other wolves join in. Wolves also bark to warn other pack members of danger or to challenge an enemy. They often growl in dominance disputes or
other kinds of “fights.” They make a squeaking noise to call the pups, and the pups’ mother will whimper to calm them down. A howl may range from half-second in duration to about eleven seconds. Depending on the weather conditions the howl of a wolf can be heard up to 10 miles away.
Some other reasons a wolf may howl:
* To notify other pack members of their location.
* To inform other packs of where they are and their own territory.
* For the attraction of a mate.
* To reassemble a scattered pack.
* To get a pack riled up before a hunt
* When disturbed
* When stressed (most often by wolf pups)
* At the presence of an intruder
* After playing or other social events
* After waking up
* To call for help
~~~
Facial expressions
Happy - The wolf is happy expression includes an open mouth, tongue hanging loosely, and ears forward.
Suspicion/threat/anxiety/submission - The emotions that are expressed through body language are suspicion, threat, anxiety, and submission. Threat behaviour is quite different. The threatening animal – dog or wolf – wrinkles its nose, opens its mouth, bares its teeth, pulls its lips forward, and erects its ears. Usually this expression is accompanied by a growl or a snarl.
Anxiety (2) - The anxious wolf on the receiving end of the threat puts on a very different face. It keeps its mouth closed and its lips drawn way back, lays back its ears, and whines.
Stare - One of the most useful expressions of an alpha wolf is the “fixed stare,” or glare. Often, all an alpha has to do is stare at a subordinate wolf, and that animal will immediately cringe, turn, and slink away.
Licking another's mouth - The wolf is hungry and is asking permission from the higher ups to eat
