Wolves are pack animals, and each member plays a role in the social hierarchy.
Kristi is quick to point out that the wolf ’s role in the health of its ecosystem is undervalued. “Wolves help manage the populations of elk and deer, which helps maintain the balance between resources and animals,” she explains. “Too many animals competing for the same food can leave a habitat decimated, and many animals can starve. Everything has its role in the world.”
Get Packing Life in a wolf pack is a hierarchy—albeit a social one. Most packs have from 2 to 15 members, with an occasional “super pack” of more than 20 wolves. Those tend to break up as the individual wolves leave to find their own space and start their own pack. Everyone knows their role with an alpha male leader. He and the alpha female of the pack are the only ones that breed. Wolf pups are born in a den, and once they’re weaned at about six weeks, the adults take turns feeding them. They swallow meat and then regurgitate the food for the pups. Pre-eaten meat: it’s what’s for dinner! Lack of communication is not an issue with wolves. They use body language, scent marking, barking, growling, and, of course, howling, to get their point across. A submissive wolf crouches and whimpers or rolls over and shows its belly, while a playful wolf dances and bows. Growls and laid-back ears mean a challenge is being made, and barks indicate a warning alarm. The wolf ’s characteristic howl is for communicating long distances to pack members or warning strangers to stay away.
Teen Wolf With its status in question, the gray wolf ’s conservation story is vital to ensuring its survival. And what better representa-
16
ZOONOOZ
n
OCTOBER 2014
A wolf’s howl can communicate with far-away members—and warn strangers to stay away.