Dogs have been “man’s best friend” for a great many years and their various behaviours have sparked the interest of dog-owners and scientists alike. Their close relations, like the grey wolf (Canis Lupus) make an interesting point of study as many of the behaviours they demonstrate are similar. This article is designed to give you a deeper understanding of how the grey wolves communicate with each other.
Communication occurs between grey wolves in many ways. For the sake of simplicity we will examine the various methods separately. However, readers must have in mind that methods of communication are often combined in order to create a complex signal. There are three primary areas to cover:
- Olfactory (scent)
- Vocal
- Visual
Olfaction
Olfactory communication is highly developed in the canids. Grey wolves and domestic dogs alike use the sense of smell to gain a broad, honest perspective on the health, status, mating condition and even stress levels of conspecifics. By combining vocal communication with olfactory information canids can gather information on the immediate condition (via vocal communication) of a conspecific in combination with the background conditions such as the health status (via olfactory cues). Olfaction can thus be used for conferring information regarding: identity, gender, breeding condition, social status, emotional state, age, condition and diet. There are many ways in which this can take place: Olfactory cues from skin glands, the tail, anal sac secretions, vaginal secretions, saliva, faeces and urine.
Vocalisation
Whimpering communicates submission or a greeting. Young wolves use the whimper to communicate a greeting when adults return to the den.
The growl communicates aggression. Dominant wolves will growl in combination with various postural methods of communication. The growl is thus used during a threat (prior to attack) and for asserting dominance. Dominant communication is when growling is mostly used.
Woofs and barks are used as an alarm call. In grey wolves the woof or bark is heard if a threat approaches the den or pack. On hearing the bark young wolves return to the den or remain still within undergrowth whilst adults turn their attention to the approaching threat.
Howling is thought to be a signal to a pack to gather together. Howling sessions within the wild are usually preceded by some tail wagging and whining. Many observers describe the howling session as something the wolves enthusiastically engage with. Some authors believe that the howling of a pack occurs to gather them together prior to a hunt. Others believe that the main purpose is to gather pack members together following a hunt when wolves are often scattered over a large distance. It may be that the howl does both.
Visual communication
Visual communication involves posturing, tail signals, teeth bearing and facial expression. Visual communication is used in close contact between wolves and often conveys matters of aggression and fearfulness. These aspects are intimately connected with dominance.
Displays of submission are commonplace in wolf packs. Following work by Shenkel on wolf communication there are two ‘types’ of submission: active submission and passive submission. Active submission occurs when a recessive (the opposite of dominant) animal approaches a dominant animal. Passive submission occurs in a recessive wolf that is approached by a dominant wolf. Both show much variation depending on circumstance.
Active submission occurs when wolves meet and groups are together following some activity. Subordinates assume a submissive posture that is made up of an arched back, tail positioned between the legs and ears back. The posture is usually combined with some further activities such as nuzzling and licking the mouth of the dominant wolf.
Passive submission occurs when a subordinate is approached. This involves lying partly on the back and partly on the side with the tailed positioned between the legs. The dominant wolf can then inspect.
Submissive postures usually appease the dominant wolves (also dogs) and establish the hierarchy so that no further intimidation is required. When it is required there is an escalation of aggression on behalf of the dominant. This involves the bearing of teeth with ‘ears up’ and ‘tail up’ (see diagram). However, between packs the submissive posturing seems to have little effect. Lone wolves that come across a pack in the pack territory have been seen to show submission but have been killed regardless.
This article has been put together by the distance learning organisation Start Learning who are experts in home study.
If you want to find out more about Canine Science or many other distance learning courses please browse their website: http://www.start-learning.co.uk
Kerrana McAvoy
Academic Director – Start Learning
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