On Wolves

Wolves : 

Wolves

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Table of contents Brief history of wolves Wolf Vocabulary Terms The Wolf Pack Description Hierarchy Chart Placing Individual Ranks Communication The howl Dominance Submission Establishing Territory A+ A+ The Truth about Wolves, a poem by Tim A. Dotson

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Table of contents Continued Wolf Body General Information Dental Information Senses Smell and hearing Sight and taste Wolf Development Give me an A Specific Bodily Advantages The Paws and Coat The Tail and Torso Intelligence Soon After Birth Socialization Period Juvenile Stage Adulthood Death

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The Truth About Wolves A poem by Tim A. Dotson The truth about wolves...is something that many people may not want to hear...because man is the only reason that wolves don't live in peace.The truth about wolves...is that when a wolf kills a sheep, that is grazing in a pasture,it does it only to survive...But man sees it has a plague that must be eliminated...only man is allowed to kill the sheep...and man does it by the thousands, but not to survive,only because he can.The truth about wolves...is that when wolves fight with other wolves...only the leaders of the packs fight with each other,the leaders don't send others to fight their battles,but mans leaders are cowards who send out others to fight their wars.The truth about wolves...is that wolves try and stay as far away from man as possible...all they want is their own territory, and no more,but man will not allow them this...man continues to spread out,cutting down forests,building cities in their stead,and killing wolves as they go. true The truth about wolves...is that the only reason they might kill a man...is so man does not kill them.The truth about wolves...is that man could learn a lot from them,if only man would watch.The truth about wolves...is that they are superior to man.If you disagree, answer this...Who will start wars, that will kill thousands, over some land?Who will hate someone for how they look, or their beliefs?Who will kill for no real reason?Who is never satisfied with what they have?The truth about wolves...is though man may think he has more intelligence then them...wolves live better lives.The truth is...that until man can live in peace with wolves...wolves are superior.

On the Origins of Wolves : 

On the Origins of Wolves It is a well known fact that the modern day dog (Canis Lupus Familiaris) originated from the gray wolf, (Canis Lupus) which is also called the timber wolf. However, the long history of its development did not begin there. Many zoologists claim that, about twenty million years ago, canines (dog species) and felines (cat species) branched off from Miocene (see the background picture)

Origin Continued : 

Origin Continued The origin of the wolf has been placed by many in North America and Asia. Some believe that they migrated from North America into Asia and South America, while others believe they either returned from Asia or started there. Conclusively, the original location of the first wolves is unknown at this time. Robert Wayne, a researcher of the University of California, suggests that the Canis lupus first appeared in Eurasia about a million years ago. From there, he believes they migrated to North America, where they soon outlived the dire wolf (canis dirus) due to prey extinction, becoming the leading canine predator. Gray wolves are the majority, therefore most study on wolves comes from them. However, most aspects not pertaining to appearance are alike. (The background is a dire wolf)

Wolf Vocabulary : 

Wolf Vocabulary Alpha Female- female head of the pack Alpha Male- male head of the pack Alpha Pair- the male and female alphas Beta Female-Male second in command Beta Male- Male second in command Den-wolf main residence, usually in the middle of their territory Dominance- the feeling of authority over something Omega- lowest ranking member(s) Pack- society of wolves Prey- animal that another animal hunts for food Prey Density- the amount of prey in an area of land Pup- a baby wolf Sanitation Effect- The effect predators have that increases the health of a species by removing animals with genetic defects from the gene pool. Scent Marking- depositing scent on the ground through urinating or releasing odors from glands in wolf paws. Submissive- adjective of allowing others to be dominant Territory- mass of land a pack claims possession over

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The Pack The pack is the social structure of a group of wolves. It incorporates a hierarchy system that provides stability and benefit for the whole. It consists of numerous roles, or ranks, that provide a purpose for each wolf. The ranks include Alpha, Beta, average wolves, the Omega, and pups, though some packs vary in which they use. Most packs include four to seven wolves, though the largest documented pack contains thirty-six in Alaska (The Wolf Almanac, 41). The local prey is a large factor in determining wolf pack size. It is usually an extended family unit, composed of the breeding pair and offspring, and sometimes including siblings of the breeding pair. The bonds within the pack are stronger than most animals and provide a closeness much contradictory to the “savage killer” stereotype placed on wolves due to misconceptions. In fact, the social bonding of wolves is highly comparable to that of social primates and humans. (The Wolf Almanac, 41)

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Hierarchy Structure Alpha pair Alpha Male Alpha Female Beta Pair Beta Male Beta Female Subordinate Wolves (average members) Omega The Pack

Placing : 

Placing It is important to remember that placing within the pack is not preordained nor fixed. All members of the pack have the chance to raise and lower within its ranks. However, doing so is not easy in the slightest, especially in the case of Omega. Rank is mostly decided by how dominant a wolf is and how well they exert that dominance. A weak or cowardly wolf will usually be a low rank. Also, all wolves continuously solidify their rank through gestures of submission and dominance. There are ranks within the pack structure between the established roles, depending on the pack. (ie. there might be a subordinate wolf lower than a beta yet higher than another subordinate.)

Alpha Wolves : 

Alpha Wolves Alpha is the highest rank within a wolf pack. It is comparable to leader. There are usually two Alphas within a pack: the Alpha Male and Alpha Female. The combined term is ‘Alpha Pair’ or ‘breeding pair’. It is usually the Alpha Pair that breeds, and often times they fiercely disallow other members from mating. However, contrary to many beliefs, the Alpha pair are not always the only ones allowed to mate. It has been shown that lack of food and other conditions create a tendency to have multiple litters of different pairs. The alphas are usually the ones to decide movement, hunting, foreign diplomacy, and establishing territory. (via scent marking) They are always given the highest respect, submission, and enjoy the privileges of superiority, such as being the first to eat at kills.

Beta Wolves : 

Beta Wolves Beta wolves are second in command and could be compared to ‘vice’ in command. When a member of the alpha pair dies, or becomes unable to complete its roles, a Beta wolf will usually take their place. They are greater in dominance than others besides the alphas. If there are others allowed to breed, it is usually the betas. They often set out on their own, becoming lone wolves, in search of their own pack. Sometimes they succeed in creating another pack, yet their endeavors usually result in death due to lack of food and poor luck in finding a mate.

Subordinate Wolves : 

Subordinate Wolves Subordinate wolves are the wolves less dominant than the betas, yet more so that the omega(s). There are often some subordinate wolves dominant over one another, the section consisting of a few rungs of the hierarchy ladder. They eat after the alphas and betas in order of their superiority over one another.

Omega : 

Omega The omega is the lowest ranking wolf. Usually, there is a single omega, but sometime there are two. They are the scapegoats for the pack’s frustration, and constantly are antagonized. Their position is due to their meekness and often time pup-like behavior. The physical and emotional stress often leads them to leaving the pack and becoming a loner. (The picture is showing a wolf giving the submissive ‘wolfish smile’ still used by domesticated dogs today.)

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Pups Pups are the youngest of the pack. They are highly cherished by the rest. They are exempt to the pack structure at this early stage, although often tend to show dominance early on through play. All members of the pack provide for the upbringing of the pups and their care.

Lone Wolf : 

Lone Wolf Lone wolves usually make less than fifteen percent of total wolf population (wolf almanac, 46). They usually consist of prior betas, dethroned alphas, or chased-out omegas. They have the longest range for hunting due to their lack of output. They often die due to lack of food or enemy threats. Without the aid of a pack, all aspects of survival become much more hazardous. There are a fortunate few whom are able to find a mate and create a pack, or are accepted into another pack, though death is more likely.

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Wolf Communication Communication is a key aspect of wolf culture. Communication is required in order to maintain a cohesive pack and sustain life for the whole. It is mostly achieved through vocal sounds and gestures of dominance and submission. Although it might seem harsh to humans, it is comparable to the relationship between parent and child in human society; the dominant pair leading the rest for the good of all.

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The Howl The howl is the vocal communication means most ascribed to wolves. It is done for numerous reasons, some more controversial than others. Howling is most often ascribed to the following purposes: A short bark that turns into a howl alerts other members of danger Howling can be a means of finding a mate The alpha may howl to rally the pack before a hunt A howl can be used to display location or reform a scattered pack Howling may occur at the conclusion of social interaction Howls are often produced upon awaking and when distressed. Chorus howls are often said to establish ownership of territory and proclaim a pack’s size, therefore power. It also is believed to establish greater bonds between all of the pack members. Largely, howling is done to strengthen bonds between wolves. Many wolf behaviorists believe that wolves howl due to a simple enjoyment of the act, much like humans humming, whistling, or singing. Obviously, the howl is not the screech of death its chalked up to be, but a beautiful means of social development and bonding.

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Dominance Dominance and submission are the things that keep the pack highly effective and universally beneficial. The alphas are most dominant, the betas second, the average wolves consisting of the next few, untitled ranks (some attribute later Greek letters for them) , and the omegas are the least dominant. The ranking of each wolf can be easily evaluated by certain body postures, especially the tail. More dominant wolves display erect ears, eye contact with lesser wolves, and erected tail. An alpha might have its tail straight up or curling over the back. The betas would have an erect tail as well, though not as much as the alphas. The subordinate wolves would have normal tail levels slightly erect, but not very intimidating. The omega would normally have the lowest tail level, often times being forced into submission to ensure it stays. Wolves frequently change their tail level, and do so at will, but tend to keep to their rank. The Wolf Almanac gives the example of a higher ranking wolf with a lower tail than normal around the omega, yet quickly raising its tail to proper elevation as an alpha walks by.

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Submission Submission is the opposite of dominance. Through submission, wolves become subordinate to other wolves, allowing for a cohesive system of animal government. Submission is shown through various gestures, often seeming to play off of the more dominant wolf’s paternal instincts. Some gestures of submission include licking the dominant wolf’s muzzle ( simulating a pup coaxing an elder to regurgitate), curling the lips back in a ‘wolfish smile’, laying on one’s back with the legs retracted (see background picture), whimpering or yips, and avoiding eye contact. Wolves will sometimes be nipped, grabbed at the muzzle, bumped, or forced to the ground by more dominant wolves. The element of submission provides for a way of relieving stress, though can become hazardous to the lower members, especially the omega. Interesting Scrap: Females seem to be more aggressive with lower members than males. In many people’s opinions, this directly correlates with human culture.

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Establishing of Territory Packs usually establish their own territory. Their ‘territory’ is the area they claim as theirs. The area is usually inversely proportional to the amount of prey per unit of landmass (prey density). If there is more prey, a smaller territory is needed to sustain the pack. The territory is communicated to others with scent marking and defecation. Scent marking occurs through secreting scents through urine or glands on a wolf’s paws, and also by depositing solid waste. The dominant male will usually urinate with a raised leg; other wolves squat. Also, the dominant pair will often scent mark the same object during the mating season, often said to further establish their connection through hormones within the urine. The scent establishes boundaries of the wolf territory to warn other predators of their trespass.

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The Body The gray wolf is the largest of the canid family. (The Wolf Almanac, 21) The adult gray wolf can stand from twenty-six to thirty-eight inches from paw to shoulder, with its full length (nose to tail) being forty to fifty-eight inches, its tail being thirteen to twenty inches long. A wolf may weigh between forty and 175 pounds, usually weighing more in northern regions. These proportions are an easy way to distinguish wolves from their smaller and lighter canid members, the coyotes. Wolves vary in size depending on the region they live in. (ie averaging 70 lbs in Mexico, 90 lbs in Bosnia, and 40 lbs in Arabia) Also, wolves in the high arctic tend to be smaller though, albeit the tendency to increase in size as you look further north. The heaviest wolf on record in the USA was 175 lbs The heaviest wolf on record in Canada was 172 lbs The gray wolf has a large face that seems extended due to the ruff of fur beneath the ears. Its ears are about two inches long and its nose 1½ inches wide.

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Thanks to www.californiawolfcenter.org/

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The Paws Wolves have large paws, especially in comparison with their domesticated cousin. The paws have scent glands that secrete scents when scratching the ground to establish territory. Also, their size aids them in traveling through snow, acting like snowshoes because of their broad surface. The function is very important to northern wolves. The Coat The further north a wolf lives, the thicker its coat (usually). The undercoat provides ample insulation to store heat and the long guard hairs repel moisture. According to R. D. Lawrence, author of “In Praise of Wolves”, the winter coats that start their growth in the fall account for about a third of the wolf’s bulk. In the Spring, the coats are shed, though females tend to shed slower than males. In fact, its coat banishes any fear of icy streams, allowing it to venture to great lengths in pursuit of prey.

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The Tail The tail’s most important use is to maintain the cohesion of the pack through elevations of rank. (see previous sections on dominance and submission) Also, the tail is accredited with the function of a rudder as wolves run at high speed The Torso The body of the wolf is long and narrow. Its shape and proportions make it an excellent runner, a very important aspect in a predator. Its average speed is usually between four and six miles/hour, but have been recorded running at speeds between thirty-five and forty miles/hour. Their bodies also provide endurance that few may rival. According to Rick Bass, author of “The Ninemile Wolves”, the largest distance was 829 miles by a wolf in Canada.

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Senses Wolves have senses that have sharpened with numerous generations. The senses of smell and hearing greatly overpower our own, though many say that their sight only matches that of humans. Generations of development through intense struggle to survive on ever- decreasing land have honed wolves into the efficient predators they are today.

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Smelling A wolf’s sense of smell is 100 times greater than that of a human. The surface area of scent detectors is fourteen times greater, though the area doesn’t always correspond with the sensitivity. The much larger receptor/area ratio is what makes the wolf have such a great sense of smell. The wolves often use their advanced sense of smell, sometimes detecting prey miles away. They also are able to smell where a kill had been, even weeks after the event. With such an advanced sense, its no surprise that the marking with scent is such an important aspect in claiming territory. Hearing Hearing is the wolf’s second most powerful sense, though some claim that its just as acute as smell. Many believe that a wolf can hear noises up to 80 kHz. This far surpasses that of humans, whom can only hear up to 20 kHz. Dogs can hear sixteen times as well as us, and wolves hear even better. Some claim that wolves can hear ten miles away in the tundra and six miles away in forest areas.

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Sight A wolf’s sight is meek in comparison with its senses of smell and hearing. However, numerous ground and aerial observations conclude that wolves’ sense of sight at least match that of our own (Wolf Almanac, 30) R. D. Lawrence claims that wolves are nearsighted and see clearly up to 75 feet away. The eyes lack a foveal pit, which is responsible for focusing on things far away in great detail. Detecting still and far objects is a challenge, but wolves are great at distinguishing movement and have excellent peripheral vision. Red and yellow seem to be the easiest colors for a wolf to detect, which could easily be attributed to the necessity to detect urine markings and blood. Taste The proficiency of taste is hard to evaluate because of its influence by smell. It is known that wolves have bitter, salty, sweet, and acidic taste receptors.

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Intelligence A wolf has a brain six times the size of a domestic dog’s. This is most likely due to the harder lifestyle they are accustomed to in comparison with the domestic dog, which requires much less contemplation and strategy for survival. Their large mental capacity also leads to a heightened curiosity. This curiosity often leads to dangerous encounters, especially under the cover of night, and also the pup-like affections for play trinkets, such as bits of bone, plant-stuff, etc.

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Teeth A wolf’s maw (mouth) consists of numerous teeth used for individualized actions. Each jaw has six incisors that are sharp enough to tear flesh in the front, two canines (hence the name ‘canine’ for the dog species) for piercing into flesh and keeping hold, and eight premolars for grinding and slicing the flesh to be consumed. Also, the upper jaw has four molars and the lower jaw has six; these teeth further pulverize meat and organs prior to digestion. In total, the upper jaw has twenty teeth and the lower jaw has twenty-two teeth. Barry Lopez, in “Of Wolves an Men”, claims that a wolf’s jaws have a bite force of 1,500, double that of a German shepherd. Interesting Scraps: An adult wolf may eat nineteen pounds of meat in a day. Some connect tailless bison in Wood Buffalo National Park to wolves.

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Wolf Development At Birth: 12-16 onces with sealed eyes and deaf Three Weeks: Hearing begins, milk teeth appear and minimal travel allowed Four Weeks: Granted more freedom, eat meat, and start to howl 10-13 days: the eyes open Five Weeks: travel extends to mile from the den at times 5-8 Weeks: Pups are weaned and moved to rendezvous sites 12 Weeks: Begins hunting 16-26 Weeks: The milk teeth are replaced with permanent set 7-8 months: They actively begin hunting 22 Months: Reaches maturity and adulthood Thanks to “The Wolf Almanac”

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Soon After Birth Soon after birth, the pups are moved to a ‘birthing den’. These areas can either be reused sites, sometimes used over multiple generations, or improvisational, such as in a hollow log, recently dug tunnel, or even places previously occupied by other animals. At this point, the pups usually weigh between twelve and sixteen ounces and are nursed by their mother, usually four to five times a day in intervals of three to five minutes. After ten to thirteen days, their blue eyes open. Hearing begins about twenty days after birth.

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Socialization Period After about three weeks, pups begin the ‘socialization’ phase of development, in which the pups begin exploring. At the beginning, the exploration pertains mostly to the immediate area around the den, closely watched by pack members. After a week of this initiation, the pups begin to leave the den regularly- another impact from the curiosity born from their intelligence. By five weeks, the pups main food source is regurgitated meat from kills made by the adult wolves, though berries and other foodstuff are available as well. They are soon moved to ‘rendezvous’ sites, where they learn from observing the activity of their elders. It is generally area with a water source nearby where pups spend the summer.

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Juvenile Stage The Juvenile stage begins around the age of three months. Now, the wolves’ diet consists entirely of meat and some vegetation, which will be their diet for the rest of their lives. From this point until the age of a year, the pups sharpen their survival skills. Also, they experience the structure of the pack in preparation for taking their own place within it. At twelve weeks, the pups join adult wolves on hunting trips, more for instruction than actual hunting. Between sixteen and twenty-six weeks, the prior milk teeth are replaced with the set that they will use throughout their life. These teeth will continue to develop until the pup reaches a year of age. By six months, wolf pups are hard to depict from adults, and by eight months , the pups usually are near their adult weight.

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Adulthood After the year of constant discipline by the entire pack, surviving wolves become adults. At this point, the wolves either disperse ,in hopes of creating their own pack, or stay within the group they were raised in. Wolves now are as independent as any other wolf, though the ones whom choose to become loners obviously are required to show more independence. The new adult will participate fully in hunts, establish its rank within the hierarchy, follow according norms corresponding with their rank, and cherish the next litter(s) of pups with affection equivalent to the amount they received. At twenty-two months, wolves are developed enough to efficiently reproduce another generation.

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Death Sadly, wolf life spans are usually short, the majority never making it to a year. Numerous reports record wolves mourning the loss of life as fervently as humans. The entire pack will often howl in mourning for the loss of pups, though the event is not rare. Other forms of mourning, such as whining near the body or gathering near it, are also demonstrated. In fact, wolf mothers will usually bury their lost pups. Though the bonds created throughout life are essential and positive thing, they also lead to pain when they are inevitably severed.

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Afterward Hopefully, by the end of this presentation, I have convinced you of the true nature of wolves. Too often, wolves are portrayed as the vicious killer of livestock and threat to our race. In truth, they are just animals striving to survive in increasingly hazardous conditions. In order to do so, they bypass all misconceptions, developing social structures to support the entire family unit. Many of the qualities that makes the dog ‘man’s best friend’ stem from their wolf roots. Their constant desire for to please you, submission. Their ability to learn what we desire, a matter of intelligence. Their undying loyalty, yet another trait preserved through evolution. In the domestic dog’s eyes, you are the alpha. When the roles are visualized through the perspective of wolves, can you not see the hidden truth behind the lies superstition has planted? ( Background: Result of misconceptions)

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Review True or False: The Omega is the Second highest rank in the hierarchy of wolves. Females are more aggressive toward subordinates than males Canines are teeth used to tear flesh from the body Short answer: What is the highest rank within a wolf pack? What is the wolf’s strongest sense? What colors can a wolf recognize best? Wolves will chase prey through almost anything except water Wolves are solitary animals. The benefit to a species due to predators removing ill genes is called what? Generally, how does eye-color develop in a wolf through maturity? 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 False True False False False Alpha Smell Red and yellow Sanitation Effect From light blue to yellow-gold 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

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Score 0 - Pup 1->2 - Omega 3->5 – Subordinate/average wolf 6->9 - Beta 10 - ALPHA

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Oddly Structured Pack of the Enlightened Alphas Betas Subordinate Wolves (average members) Omegas David J Willie G Pups Darrington C Sharon S Jameson C Ahmad M Sara C (Viewers of the presentation before uploading to the web)

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1)http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312520/wolf_ranks.htm 2) http://www.wolfcountry.net/information/WolfPack.html 3) www.animalcorner.co.uk/ -pic 4) www.californiawolfcenter.org/ -pic 5) www3.cesa10.k12.wi.us/ -pic 6) http://www.naturalworlds.org/wolf/moretopics/wolf_skull.htm/ 7)http://cas.bellarmine.edu/tietjen/PPT/Ecology/observations_of_behavior_on_the_.htm/ 8) http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/vecase/behavior/Spring2003/Bergeron/social_system.htm/ 9) http://www.wolf.org/ 10) The Wolf Almanac, by Robert H Busch with a forward by Rick Bass 11) http://chem.tufts.edu/science/evolution/images/oroh.gif -pic 12) http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/students/tarpits-chmura/project_files/image004.jpg/ -pic 13) http://www.wolftracker.com/Q_&_A/beta.htm/ 14) http://www.naturescapes.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=125879/ 15) http://www.wolfsongalaska.org/ 16) www.about.com/ -pic S O U R C E S