Wolf Behavior Dictionary

Wolf Behavior Dictionary
- Grayson
  
  Grayson was born in 2016 and represents the Arctic locality of gray wolf. His coat is nearly all white with a dark gray/black patch of fur on his precaudal gland (on the tail), as well as a slightly darker saddle and forehead. He has a wide face, curved forehead, and round eyes. He is approximately 90 lbs. Grayson tends to be a more cautious individual, often hanging back and assessing the situation first. He is known as the most vocal wolf at IWC, and is usually the wolf that instigates howling.
- Rieka
  
  Rieka was born in 2021 and represents the Northwestern locality of gray wolf. Her pelage is a grizzled gray with a dark saddle, tan on her sides and legs, and cream markings on her face and underbelly. Her dark coloration makes her fairly easy to spot among her pack mates. She is the smallest wolf in the pack at approximately 85 lbs. Rieka is currently the only female in the Exhibit Pack, and is therefore the dominant female.
- Blackstone
  
  Blackstone was born in 2022 and represents the Northwestern locality of gray wolf. His coloration is more rufous-toned than his brother, Caz, with less black on his saddle and tail. Blackstone is currently the largest wolf in the Exhibit Pack at approximately 105 lbs. Despite his large size, he appears to be near the bottom of the rank order in the Exhibit Pack.
- Caz
  
  Caz was born in 2022 and represents the Northwestern locality of gray wolf. His coloration is more sandy-toned than his brother, Blackstone, with more black on his tail. He also has darker markings along his saddle. Caz is slightly smaller than his brother, Blackstone, at approximately 98 lbs. He is one of the more food-possessive wolf ambassadors at IWC and can often be seen trying to grab food from a packmate.
- 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.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  1. 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.
  2. Food-Related Consumption – Behavior associated with nourishment (including water).
  3. 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.
  1. Observational/Exploratory – Behavior related to observing (by close examination or systematic inquiry) the environment, sniffing, digging, licking, walking with head to ground etc.
  2. 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.
  1. Type of Rest – Rest back, side, curl, sphinx, sphinx sprawled; different rest methods indicate an individual’s comfort level.
  2. Distance between wolves can indicate social bond, specifically during the winter months when dominant pairs may have a closer sleeping association.
  3. 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.
  1. Greet – social expression, tail wag, facial contact, inhibited bite or soft muzzle bite, rub on behaviors are common.
  2. 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
- Ambush
  
  Staring intently at another wolf in preparation for a surprise attack. The ambushing wolf is usually in a sphinx posture but occasionally will initiate an ambush from a standing position. 🟥🟦
- Approach
  
  To move closer to another wolf at a walk or trot. 🟩🟨🟪
- Avert Gaze
  
  To turn the eyes away from the gaze of another. This is usually seen as part of a submissive posture or in threat situations. 🟥
- Bark
  
  A dog-like natural, loud vocalization typically issued as a warning to other packmates, especially pups. 🟥
- Bark-Howl
  
  A hoarse howl immediately preceded by a bark. It is an alarm vocalization but is not as common as a bark or a howl. 🟥
- Bite
  
  To grip with the teeth. 🟥🟦
- Bite, Inhibited
  
  A controlled bite without enough pressure to cause an injury. 🟪
- Bite, Muzzle - Hard
  
  Grabbing the muzzle of another wolf with enough force to cause a whimper. 🟥
- Bite, Muzzle - Soft
  
  Holding another wolf’s muzzle gently in the mouth. This is sometimes part of greeting or food-begging sequences. 🟪
- Bow
  
  To bend into a bow shape; the wolf lowers the front part of its torso while keeping the hind part upright. The most common bow at the Center is known as the play bow, which is used to solicit play behaviors. 🟪
- Cache
  
  To hide a supply of objects, including food, under leaves, snow, soil or other materials. 🟦
- Carry Object
  
  Holding an object in the mouth while moving around; the object is usually, but not always, food. 🟦
- Chase
  
  To try and catch or overtake another wolf or items such as leaves, ravens, squirrels and so forth. 🟥🟦🟪
- Chin Rest
  
  To place the head across the back or shoulders of another wolf. 🟥
- Climb
  
  To move toward the top of something or to a higher elevation. 🟩
- Crawl
  
  To move slowly across something with the body close to the surface. 🟥🟦🟩🟪
- Crouch
  
  To stay down close to the ground with legs bent, waiting to spring or run forward. The back is often arched, and the tail is usually held in the T4 position. 🟥🟦
- Defecate
  
  To expel feces from the bowels; can also be associated with scent marking or expression of the anal scent glands on an object or trail. 🟩
- Dig
  
  To break up, overturn or remove something, especially earth, with the paws or nose. 🟦🟩
- Drag
  
  To move something, especially something that is too large, heavy or cumbersome to carry, by pulling it along the ground or across a surface. 🟥🟦
- Drink
  
  To take in liquid by lapping or, on occasion, biting at the water. 🟦
- Ears, Airplane
  
  The ears are held out to the side in a manner that simulates the wings of an airplane. 🟥🟦🟩🟪
- Ears, Back
  
  Ears flattened and lowered against the sides of the head. 🟥🟦🟪
- Ears, Ponytail
  
  Ears laid flat and pulled so far back as to appear to meet behind the skull. 🟥🟦🟪
- Ears, Pricked
  
  Ears erect and turned forward in an alert posture. This can be interpreted as interest or intensity, depending upon the situation. 🟥🟦🟩🟪
- Ears, Pricked, Turned Sideways
  
  The ears are erect and turned outward to the sides; this is usually an indication of tension in the wolf. 🟥🟦🟪
- Ears, Turned Sideways and Slanted Back
  
  Ears are turned out but held back at an angle from the top of the head. 🟥🟦🟪
- Eat
  
  To take substances into the mouth and swallow; this is usually, but not always, food. 🟦
- Escape
  
  To break free from any captivity, confinement, or any unpleasant situation; wolves use escape to avoid attacks, mobbing or harassment. 🟥🟩
- Explore
  
  To make a careful investigation or study of the environment. When pups were introduced into the main enclosure, they spent a great deal of time exploring to discover what was in their new environment. 🟩
- Face Off
  
  A face-to-face confrontation between two wolves with tense posture; usually one or both have the T1 or T2 tail position. 🟥
- Face Wipe
  
  To wipe the lower face and jowls back and forth along the ground or by use of a paw. 🟦
- Follow
  
  To go after or behind something, moving in the same direction. 🟥🟪
- Food Beg
  
  To lick, nibble, pull or paw at an older or more dominant wolf’s muzzle and lips. This is often done by pups or young wolves, accompanied by other submissive postures. 🟥🟦🟪
- Foreleg Grab
  
  To take another wolf’s foreleg/backleg into the mouth. 🟥🟪
- Foreleg Stab
  
  To swat or stab another wolf with the foreleg. 🟥🟪
- Gnaw
  
  To bite and chew persistently at something, often reducing it gradually to a particular state. 🟦
- Grab
  
  To grasp something quickly, suddenly or forcefully and hold on firmly. 🟥🟦🟩
- Grin
  
  To smile broadly, usually showing the teeth in a relaxed, nonthreatening manner. 🟪
- Groom
  
  To clean the fur or skin of another wolf or of itself, often by licking, nibbling or scratching. 🟪
- Growl
  
  The low, throaty noise made by a hostile wolf. 🟥
- Guard
  
  To protect desired objects from others. 🟦🟪
- Hackles
  
  Hackles are a good indicator of the animal’s mood. Raised hackles tend to make the wolf look larger than it actually is and indicates the degree of aggressive arousal. Usually, the farther down the back the hair is raised, the more aroused the animal is. In the most extreme cases, even the tail fur is puffed up (H1234). Although rare, it is possible for a wolf to raise hackles out of sequence, such as neck and rump (H13). 🟥🟦
- Harass
  
  To persistently annoy, attack or bother another wolf. 🟥
- Head Shake
  
  With something held in the jaws, the head is vigorously shaken from side to side. It may be done while holding inanimate objects, such as food, to tear or clean the object or be done to another wolf in an intensive dominance display. 🟥🟦
- Hide & Seek
  
  To invite chase by dodging behind obstacles. This is likely to occur with frequent change of directions around bushes, trees and rocks. 🟪
- Hipslam
  
  Pivoting on the forepaws and slamming into another wolf with its hindquarters. 🟥🟪
- Howl
  
  To make a long, wavering open-mouthed vocalization. A solo howl may be done to communicate with the pack over long distances or for a dispersing wolf to locate another lone wolf. 🟩
- Howl, Chorus
  
  Three or more wolves howling together. This may be done as a way to rally the pack prior to a hunt, as a territorial display, or to strengthen pack social bonds.🟦🟪
- Howl, Duet
  
  Two wolves howling at the same time. 🟪
- Huff
  
  A muffled bark or huffing sound. 🟥
- Ignore
  
  To refuse to notice or pay attention to the actions of other wolves. 🟥🟪
- Inguinal Presentation
  
  To expose the groin area to another wolf or to a human. This submissive posture may be done while standing but is more often done while lying down or rolling onto the back. 🟥
- Invite Chase
  
  Often prefaced by a play bow, the chase invitation is characterized by running rapidly while splaying the paws out from the body side to side. 🟪
- Jaw Spar
  
  Two wolves “fencing” with wide open jaws. 🟪
- Jump
  
  To leave a surface with all four feet. The jump can be horizontal, where the wolf jumps from place to place and holds its back parallel to the ground, or vertical, where the wolf raises its front legs first, puts its back into a vertical position, and lifts its hind legs from the ground. 🟦
- Jump, Stiff Legged
  
  Rearing up on hind legs and coming down hard on the forelegs; may be a mechanism for breaking ice or pinning small prey. 🟦
- Leave
  
  Depart; to go away from a place or another wolf. 🟩🟪
- Lick
  
  To pass the tongue across the surface of something; used for individual and social grooming, greeting and food begging. 🟦🟩🟪
- Lip Curl
  
  Curl of lip to reveal a canine tooth. 🟥🟦
- Lunge
  
  A sudden, strong attacking movement forward, sometimes resulting in an inhibited bite. 🟥🟦
- Mob
  
  Two or more wolves crowding around another wolf in a noisy, harassing manner. 🟥
- Mount
  
  One wolf on top of another, usually while both are standing; similar to a ride up except done from behind. At the Center, the wolves are neutered and spayed, so this is dominance, rather than mating, behavior. 🟥
- Mouth
  
  To put and hold something in the mouth, changing the grip repeatedly. 🟦🟩
- Over Mark
  
  To deliberately mark beside or on top of the urine mark of another wolf. 🟥🟩
- Parallel Walk
  
  To walk side by side, often with bodies in contact and tails wagging; usually done by the dominant pair. 🟪
- Paw
  
  To scrape or strike something or a wolf repeatedly with the paw, or wave it in front of another wolf. 🟥🟩🟪
- Pin
  
  To lunge and bite at the neck or muzzle, forcing the wolf to the ground and holding it there. 🟥
- Pluck
  
  To pull out by the roots some or all of the feathers or hair from carcasses. Also done when grooming, especially while shedding. 🟦🟩
- Pose
  
  To stand tall and adopt a physical posture. 🟩
- Pounce
  
  To jump suddenly toward or onto something, especially onto prey. 🟦🟪
- Pull
  
  To tug at or jerk something or another wolf. Sometimes wolves will pull each other by the tail, leg, scruff or ear. The wolf being pulled typically remains on its feet. 🟥🟦
- Rally
  
  To come together after a howl or after a period of rest. Several behaviors may be occurring, such as greeting, tail wagging and sometimes mild aggression. 🟪
- Refuge
  
  To seek a safe or protected state from harassment or weather. 🟥
- Regurgitate
  
  To bring undigested food up from the stomach to the mouth, most commonly stimulated by puppies. This can occur by visual stimulation or active stimulation, such as by puppies performing the food beg behavior, but it can also occur when adult wolves regurgitate after a big meal or when they consume too fast or too large of a piece of meat. 🟦🟪
- Rest
  
  To restore energy by sleeping or relaxing. 🟨
- Rest, Back
  
  Resting or sleeping on the back, belly exposed with paws extended or folded on the chest. 🟨
- Rest, Curl
  
  Lying down with legs tucked close to the body; the back is curved, and the tail often covers the paws and nose. 🟨
- Rest, Side
  
  Resting flat on one side with the body stretched out. 🟨
- Rest, Sphinx
  
  Resting on the ground with the forepaws extended in front of the chest, hind legs tucked close to one side, body erect and head up. 🟨
- Rest, Sphinx - Sprawled
  
  Resting in the sphinx position with the hindquarters splayed out from the body. 🟨
- Rest, Twitching
  
  Small jerky movements while resting. Sometimes accompanied by elevated respiration and muffled vocalization. 🟨
- Ride Up
  
  To place the forelegs or paws on the back of another wolf from the side. In most cases this is a dominance behavior. 🟥
- Roll
  
  To alternate positions repeatedly from side to back to side. 🟨🟪
- Roll on Back
  
  Lying down on the side and rotating the body to come to rest on the dorsal surface. 🟨🟪
- Rub On
  
  The wolf presses against, then slides along a companion or an object such as a fence, rock or tree. 🟩🟪
- Rub Under Chin
  
  To press against, then rub across another wolf’s chest. 🟪
- Run
  
  To move quickly or rapidly at a full pace. 🟥🟦
- Scent Roll
  
  When encountering an odor, the wolf puts its nose into the smell, then slides down onto the shoulder, then onto one flank through the smell. Unique to canids, it is thought to be a means of communicating the scent back to the rest of the pack or marking the scent. 🟦🟩
- Scoot
  
  A form of grooming, consisting of dragging the rump along the ground, rubbing the anal area. 🟩
- Scrape
  
  Raking the hind paws against the ground forcefully, usually after marking with a raised-leg urination. 🟥🟩
- Scratch
  
  To rub the skin or fur with the claws, especially to relieve itching or discomfort. Wolves may often get snow or other debris in their ears during the winter season. 🟩🟪
- Sequence, Aggression
  
  A group of aggressive actions happening too quickly and/or with too many wolves to record individual behaviors. 🟥
- Sequence, Food Aggression
  
  A group of behaviors that are performed around food; guarding and stealing food items are included. 🟦
- Sequence, Greeting
  
  A group of behaviors happening too quickly to record individually that include relaxed tail-wagging, grinning, whining encounters. 🟪
- Sequence, Play
  
  A group of actions constituting play, happening too quickly to record individual behaviors. These actions may appear like fighting or aggressive behaviors but are friendly encounters and lack aggression. 🟪
- Sequence, Threaten
  
  A group of threat behaviors issued as signs of warning that may occur too rapidly to allow individual recording. These include behaviors such as staring, snarling, raised hackles, lunges, snaps and ambushes. 🟥
- Shake
  
  "The body appears to oscillate vigorously on its longitudinal axis. Sometimes it looks as if the shake starts behind the wolf’s ears and exits out of its tail." (Quoted from Wolf Park Ethogram) 🟩
- Sit
  
  To rest the body with the weight supported by the lowered hindquarters while the torso is erect. 🟨
- Snap
  
  A rapid bite with little or no contact with another wolf. 🟥🟦
- Snarl
  
  Lips raised to reveal canines and incisors; may be accompanied by growling and snapping. 🟥🟦
- Sneeze
  
  An abrupt clearing of the nasal passages characterized by an audible exhalation of air. 🟩
- Sniff
  
  To smell or inhale through the nose. 🟩
- Sniff Genitals
  
  Sniffing the genital area of another wolf during greeting or mutual investigations. 🟥
- Sniff Noses
  
  To sniff noses during greeting. 🟪
- Snow Plow
  
  To use the muzzle to push snow. This may be an attempt at cleaning or a social behavior. 🟪
- Squash
  
  To sit or lie on a recumbent wolf. 🟥🟪
- Stalk
  
  To pursue quarry or prey by means of stealthy approach. 🟦
- Stand Over
  
  To straddle a recumbent wolf in a dominance display. 🟥
- Stand Tall
  
  Drawing up to full height and appearing as large as possible; may include raised hackles. 🟥
- Stare
  
  To look at with an intense fixed gaze, often with wide-open eyes. 🟥
- Stretch, Bow
  
  After getting up from resting, a slow, drawn-out bowing stretch may occur. 🟨
- Stretch, Fore and Aft
  
  A bow stretch that moves into a hindleg stretch. 🟨
- Stretch, Humpback
  
  A stretch that seems to be the reverse of the bow stretch; the back is arched in a catlike manner. 🟨
- Submission, Active
  
  In active submission, the subdominant wolf crouches, whines, paws and licks at the muzzle of the dominant wolf; the tail may wag weakly while tucked, often in T4 position. 🟥🟪
- Submission, Obnoxious
  
  In obnoxious submission, the submitting wolf shows elements of threat and submission. This is often a means of testing the rank and patience of a more dominant wolf. 🟥
- Submission, Passive
  
  The dominant wolf initiates the submissive behavior in the subdominant, often growling or snarling to make the subdominant lie down, roll over on its back, flatten its ears and raise a hind leg for inguinal presentation. The dominant wolf often will stand over the submissive wolf and snarl or execute an inhibited bite. 🟥🟪
- Swim
  
  To propel itself in water by movement of the limbs and tail. During the 2004 pup introduction at the Center, Grizzer was the first to jump into the pond and swim. He was caught on film chasing his tail in circles in the water. 🟩
- T1 Tail
  
  The tail is held high above the plane of the back; this indicates the highest confidence. 🟥🟦🟪
- T2 Tail
  
  The tail is held level with the back. 🟥🟦🟪
- T3 Tail
  
  The tail is carried below the level of the back at about a 45 degree angle. 🟩🟪
- T3.5 Tail
  
  The tail is carried perpendicular to the ground, brushing the hocks; this can be a relaxed position or the signs of increasing submission or anxiety. 🟥🟪
- T4 Tail
  
  The tail is tucked between the legs and may be touching the belly while in strong submission. 🟥🟦
- T-Formation
  
  Blocking behavior from one wolf to another. Typically a sign of asserting power over the other wolf. Sometimes paired with a chinrest. 🟥
- Tail Wag
  
  Moving the tail to and fro or up and down, especially in jerky motions. When wagged without tension, the movements are friendly and part of greeting behaviors. Tail wagging also communicates excitement, aggression, fear or submission. 🟥🟪
- Threat
  
  A behavior meant as a warning; usually a brief snarl, lip curl, or growl that may escalate into a threat sequence or other aggressive behaviors. 🟥🟦
- Trot
  
  To proceed briskly in a diagonal, two-beat gait in which the left rear and right fore legs move together, and the left fore and right hind legs move together. 🟩
- Tug
  
  To pull or strain hard at with legs braced against the direction of the pull. 🟦
- Tug-Of-War
  
  Two wolves take hold of parts of an object and pull against each other. 🟦
- Urination, Flexed Leg
  
  To discharge urine while bearing weight on three legs and flexing the fourth as if to make a raised-leg urination, but the toes remain touching or near the ground. This is not a gender-specific posture. 🟩
- Urination, Raised Leg
  
  To discharge urine while bearing weight on three legs and flexing the fourth. This is usually done to mark an object or area and is not gender-specific, but rather more an indication of social rank and degree of assertiveness. 🟥🟦🟩
- Urination, Standing
  
  To discharge urine while standing in a slight squat, usually a posture of subordinate males. 🟩
- Urination, Squat
  
  To discharge urine while squatting; a posture typical of females and immature males. 🟩
- Wade
  
  To step in or through water not deep enough for swimming. 🟩
- Walk
  
  To move along on foot, advancing by steps. 🟩
- Wander
  
  To move about without an observable course or goal. At the Center, this can be confused with general exploratory behavior when including sniffing behaviors. 🟩
- Whale Eyes
  
  When the whites of the eyes are visible; often in response to stress or anxiety. 🟥
- Whine
  
  To utter a high-pitched, plaintive or distressed vocalization; often used to call puppies or as an attention-getting signal. 🟥🟪
- Whirl
  
  To move or rotate in a circle or semicircle, especially with force or speed, usually to confront another wolf. 🟥🟪
- Wrestle
  
  To grapple with another wolf in order to throw that wolf off balance and knock it down. 🟥🟪
- Yawn
  
  To open the mouth wide, usually as an involuntary reaction to fatigue, boredom or a response to stress. 🟨
- Yelp
  
  A sharp, piercing cry; often indicates sudden pain, discomfort, or surprise. 🟥
- Should be Empty:

Wolf Behavior Dictionary

Grayson

Rieka

Blackstone

Caz

Ambush

Approach

Avert Gaze

Bark

Bark-Howl

Bite

Bite, Inhibited

Bite, Muzzle - Hard

Bite, Muzzle - Soft

Bow

Cache

Carry Object

Chase

Chin Rest

Climb

Crawl

Crouch

Defecate

Dig

Drag

Drink

Ears, Airplane

Ears, Back

Ears, Ponytail

Ears, Pricked

Ears, Pricked, Turned Sideways

Ears, Turned Sideways and Slanted Back

Eat

Escape

Explore

Face Off

Face Wipe

Follow

Food Beg

Foreleg Grab

Foreleg Stab

Gnaw

Grab

Grin

Groom

Growl

Guard

Hackles

Harass

Head Shake

Hide & Seek

Hipslam

Howl

Howl, Chorus

Howl, Duet

Huff

Ignore

Inguinal Presentation

Invite Chase

Jaw Spar

Jump

Jump, Stiff Legged

Leave

Lick

Lip Curl

Lunge

Mob

Mount

Mouth

Over Mark

Parallel Walk

Paw

Pin

Pluck

Pose

Pounce

Pull

Rally

Refuge

Regurgitate