While behaviors may occur in a variety of categories based, this list is a broad generalization of the most representative category related to the behavioral code. When a behavior is represented in more than one category, it is important to review the stimuli and scenario in which the behavior occurred.
Dominance 🟥
There are 3 main types of dominance and behaviors that may express the animals’ capability of resisting aggression [as in: part of Ritualized Dominance, Aggression, Attack] and thus protect oneself or may express an individual’s active role in asserting dominance. Defense/Submission is a subset of dominance and relates to the ear, tail, facial expressions and body postures which all may change quickly. Vocalizations such as growling, barking or defensive howling behavior may be included in dominance.
- Ritualized Dominance – Behavior that an animal with a higher status/rank conveys through an inhibited form of aggression. The resulting social stability facilitates subsequent cooperation between group members (because lower ranked animals will not incur the high costs of challenging more dominant animals, although testing will occur). Wolves may be defensive/submissive/antagonistic.
- Aggression – Behavior aimed at intensifying ritualized dominance for a more serious expression of the situation, or to cause psychological impact, or physical distraction. Direct physical aggression, in addition to vocal and indirect aggression, such as eye stare, is more common.
- Attack – Behavior aimed at taking the initiative in using force against another animal in order to harm, and possibly kill, that animal. Is a rare event and typically occurs with the following five specific behaviors in order: Grab, Bite, Head Shake, Pin, and Drag.
Potential Dominance-related behaviors: Ambush, Avert Gaze, Bark, Bark Howl, Bite, Bite Muzzle - Hard, Chase, Chin Rest, Crawl, Crouch, Drag, Ears Airplane, Ears Back, Ears Ponytail, Ears Pricked, Ears Pricked Turned Sideways, Ears Turned Sideways Slanted Back, Escape, Face Off, Follow, Food Beg, Foreleg Grab, Foreleg Stab, Grab, Growl, Hackles, Harass, Head Shake, Hipslam, Huff, Ignore, Inguinal Presentation, Lip Curl, Lunge, Mob, Mount, Over Mark, Paw, Pin, Pull, Raised Leg Urination, Refuge, Ride Up, Run, Scrape, Sequence - Aggression, Sequence - Threaten, Snap, Snarl, Sniff Genitals, Squash, Stand Over, Stand Tall, Stare, Submission - Active, Submission - Obnoxious, Submission - Passive, T1, T1, T3.5, T4, T-Formation/Block, Tail Wag (in T1), Threaten, Whale Eyes, Whine, Whirl, Wrestle, Yelp
Food/Predatory 🟦
There are three main aspects related to the acquisition of prey through hunting, the feeding on prey as a pack, and the defending or caching prey resources.
- Predatory – Behaviors associated with wild wolf way of life in which food is obtained by the killing and consuming of prey-animals. In captivity predatory behavior can be displayed towards small animals or are a component of aggression. Some behavioral codes associated with predatory can be displayed in aggression, if so, it signifies a heightened psychological state driven by the predatory instinct. Examples may include head-shaking, tug-of-war, etc.
- Food-Related Consumption – Behavior associated with nourishment (including water).
- Threat – Behavior indicating defensive space around a food resource or imminent threat in response to other individual wolves’ approach that may lead to caching food resources.
Potential Food/Predatory-related behaviors: Ambush, Bite, Cache, Carry Object, Chase, Crawl, Crouch, Drink, Ears Airplane, Ears Back, Ears Pricked, Ears Ponytail, Ears Pricked Turned Sideways, Ears Turned Sideways Slanted Back, Eat, Face Wipe, Food Beg, Gnaw, Grab, Growl, Guard, Hackles, Head Shake, Howl - Chorus, Jump, Stiff-Legged Jump, Lick, Lip Curl, Lunge, Mouth, Pluck, Pounce, Pull, Regurgitate, Run, Scent Roll, Sequence - Food Aggression, Snap, Snarl, Stalk, T1, T2, T4, Threat, Tug, Tug of War, Raised Leg Urination
Investigatory 🟩
Wolves’ survival is enhanced by investigating the scents, sights and sounds of prey within their habitat. They also identify competitors and defend territories through the use of scent marking. A lone howl, not of defense, but more of a mid-toned searching howl may also be in this category.
- Observational/Exploratory – Behavior related to observing (by close examination or systematic inquiry) the environment, sniffing, digging, licking, walking with head to ground etc.
- Scent/Mark/Elimination – Behavior where a distinctive odor is deposited by an animal on the ground or other surface, as by urinating, which functions as an identifying signal to other animals and usually associated with marking after investigating a spot. May include scraping the ground after defecation or urination. Not to be confused by expelling feces or urination for the purpose of elimination, specifically after an individual wakes up.
Potential Investigatory-related behaviors: Approach, Climb, Crawl, Defecate, Dig, Ears Airplane, Ears Pricked, Escape, Explore, Grab, Howl, Leave, Lick, Mouth, Over Mark, Paw, Pluck, Pose, Rub On, Scent Roll, Scoot, Scrape, Scratch, Shake, Sneeze, Sniff, Swim, T3 Tail, Trot, Flexed Leg Urination, Raised Leg Urination, Standing Urination, Squat Urination, Wade, Walk, Wander
Rest 🟨
Behavior of sleep or repose for a period of time, including getting up and extending oneself, association with pack members and position of rest.
- Type of Rest – Rest back, side, curl, sphinx, sphinx sprawled; different rest methods indicate an individual’s comfort level.
- Distance between wolves can indicate social bond, specifically during the winter months when dominant pairs may have a closer sleeping association.
- Pack cohesiveness can be evaluated based on comfort of a wolf with another wolf approaching, when resting, does an individual stay or leave when another wolf approaches.
Potential Rest-related behaviors: Approach, Inguinal Presentation, Rest, Rest Back, Rest Curl, Rest Side, Rest Sphinx, Rest Sphinx Sprawled, Roll, Roll on Back, Sit, Stretch, Stretch - Bow, Stretch - Fore and Aft, Stretch - Humpback, Yawn
Social 🟪
We categorize greeting and grooming as social interactions. When wolves meet each other and react in a specified manner, which appears to show a general interest in the interaction. Grooming behavior may start as individualistic, but often wolves may give care or solicit care from a packmate. Whining and howling are the most common vocalizations associated with social behavior.
- Greet – social expression, tail wag, facial contact, inhibited bite or soft muzzle bite, rub on behaviors are common.
- Groom/Care – To remove dirt and parasites from the skin or fur (of another animal). Giving or soliciting care.
Potential Social-related behaviors: Approach, Bite - Inhibited, Bite Muzzle - Soft, Bow, Chase, Crawl, Ears Airplane, Ears Back, Ears Pricked, Ears Ponytail, Ears Pricked Turned Sideways, Ears Turned Sideways Slanted Back, Follow, Food Beg, Foreleg Stab, Foreleg Grab, Grin, Groom, Guard, Hide and Seek, Hipslam, Howl - Chorus, Howl - Duet, Ignore, Invite Chase, Jaw Spar, Leave, Lick, Parallel Walk, Paw, Pounce, Rally, Regurgitate, Roll, Roll on Back, Rub On, Rub Under Chin, Scratch, Sequence - Greeting, Sequence - Play, Sniff Noses, Snow Plow, Squash, Submission - Active, Submission - Passive, T1, T2, T3, T3.5, Tail Wag, Whine, Whirl, Wrestle