The Animal Kingdom - The Wolf (Part 2)

Enemy-Friend, Loved Hated

Distinguished and Exceptional

Previously in Part One, we looked at the relationship between humans and Wolves – A Brief History (our turbulent love affair) and uncovered some interesting points. One example, the Wolf plays a critical role in maintaining our ecosystem and is an integral member of the earth's biological society.

Also, 'what came out of the wash' was for centuries the Wolf was branded a symbol of devastation, destruction, and death (particularly throughout Europe). The Wolf was dangerous, a nuisance, and therefore needed to be destroyed (predominately in the US). Further, the Wolf was depicted as evil and or as a ferocious creature of ill repute.

Perhaps this was because so little was known about them at the time alongside Mans need to dominate the land?

One of the most respected yet feared animals in all of the world, yet intriguing, unique, and fascinating animals

While we have made progress and look more favourably upon the Wolf, there is still much stigma surrounding them, their ways (habits, behaviours, and so forth).

Therefore, to conclude our story, let's remove a bit more of the Enigma and or misconceptions surrounding the Wolf by shedding light on some of their central features - Key physical characteristics (i.e., qualities, mannerisms, etc.).

Closer to us than we think! 

Wolves are like people; friendly, fun-loving, social, intricate, and clever 

Societal by Nature with a Complex Hierarchy

In truth, wolves are incredibly amicable, social, and innovative animals.

Wolves develop intimate relationships and strong social bonds with family members and their pack. In the wild, they demonstrate significant displays of affection and emotions with each other.

Like humans, wolves are ritualistic; they: abide by a hierarchical social structure in that they have an alpha male and alpha female. The Wolf is territorial regarding parenting (in fact, they even sacrifice themselves to protect the family unit), and they mark off territory boundaries.

The family (pack) is highly valued; they have respect for each other, work as a team, and the whole pack must care for the cubs as they grow - assist in the childbearing. Also, fathers are very devoted and gentle to their young.

Status

Within a wolf pack, a Social Rank defines class. The omega is the lowest member - it is the baby-sitter and usually more puppy than Wolf. One Wolf typically assumes the role. In some larger packs, there may be a beta wolf or wolves - a "second-in-command" to the alphas. Also, there is a separate ranking for the males than for the females of a given pack.

Connection and Communication

Connection

There's a fallacy that all wolves are 'lone wolves.' which is far from the truth. Social and family-oriented, the Wolf is an excellent communicator who enjoys social interaction. Using body movement, touch, eye contact, and vocal sounds, they engage with other wolves regularly.

Communication

The Wolf is one of nature's few creatures that communicate using a great range of facial expressions. However, the most well-known characteristic, method of communication of the Wolf, is its penetrating, hauntingly beautiful howl. It is a primary communication tool, both between lone wolves, their pack, and between other groups. When it comes to regions, inter-pack howling will determine the size and strength of different packs, often determining whether to attack or retreat. A wolf's cry can be heard as far away as 10km and is loudest when in harmony with others.

High IQ Instincts and Excellent Sense of Hearing and Smell 

Observations in their hunting strategies, habitat creation, and migration habits show the Wolf possesses incredibly high intelligence and ultra-strong instincts

Magnificent Hearing

These animals have an outstanding hearing, twenty times better than a human, which helps them to find their pack as well as to find where prey is. Under certain conditions, wolves can hear as far as six to ten miles away.

Their nose is intensely sensitive; hence they are capable of being able to pick up smells from a very long distance from where they happen to be.

Built for ultimate survival 

Scrawny in appearance but thick in muscle 

The body build of a wolf allows it to survive in a variety of different locations. Even though in appearance they seem scrawny and its body may seem very thin, overall it is full of thick muscles – they are a force not to be reckoned with and or underestimated.

Water Proof 

Their fur is thick, and its undercoat is close to its skin, offering a waterproof barrier so they can sustain most climates.

Huge Range Size

Their size range can be anywhere from one end of the spectrum to the other.

Successful killers of much larger and more powerful than themselves

Their powerful jaws hold a mouth full of extremely razor-sharp teeth. Its jaw opens farther than those of a dog and has a crushing pressure of nearly 1,500 pounds per square inch (compared with around 750 for a large dog). When they are full-grown, their mouth bears 42 teeth. Their front pointed teeth allow them to puncture as well as to cling to various elements. Their molars also pointed, allow the easy shredding of prey and their back ones for crushing the bones of their kill. These jaws are mighty, which allows the Wolf to capture their prey and fight when they need to. Their secret weapon is that their jaws interlock so they can bite and hold onto prey with minimal effort.

Bizarre Mobility

Although their noted speed is not super-fast for a top predator (like that of the cheetah), they are built to run fast in short bursts (reach speeds of 75 mph) and are ultimate marathon endurance runners.

Blessed with a slender chest region, the Wolf possesses absolute agility, full range of movement. 

Their feet, which are extremely large, on average nine inches by ten inches, which believe it or not, allows them to walk on top of snow and ice rather than sinking down into it. Their bottom pads are very thick and what is interesting is that the front feet have five toes while the back has only four. Wolves, actually, run on their toes, which helps them to stop and turn quickly and to prevent their paw pads from wearing down.

Mating - Love, Sex and Lineage (The Family, Pack) comes first

In Wolf World, the trend is towards monogamy and loyalty. Wolves develop stable social bonds for their family and other loved ones. Pack members also hold deep emotional bonds, greeting each other enthusiastically after being separated for long periods.

Once a wolf loves, finds a mate, its for life. They stay together for better or worse through sickness and health, often 'until death do us part.' At the age of around two years, Wolves are ready to mate. But, this does not mean they are going to. It can be up to one year after before they can do so. The reason for this is when it comes to the actual mating, although a pack may have up to twenty members in it, usually only the lead alpha male and alpha female who do so. In saying this, some studies show, on rare occasions, other members of large packs will mate as well. It could be that other wolves are allowed to mate when there is sufficient food, and the group is flourishing. However, the precise circumstances that have to be in place for this to occur aren't fully known yet. Studies also show that when there isn't enough food or roaming area for a wolf pack, the alpha's may not even mate to ensure that those in their pack have sufficient food and care.

Splendid Lookers with an Extraordinary Mixture of Colour 

The Wolf comes in various colors from white to black and grey. Add this to the mixture of their hypnotic eye colouring, often from sky blue to chocolate brown, and they are strikingly attractive beautiful creatures. 

The Wolf's Role in the Ecosystem

Wolves, as top predators keep prey populations robust, healthy and maintain equilibrium with what the ecosystem can sustain by feeding primarily on young, infirm, and older animals. 

When wolves were re-established into some National Parks ecosystem, scientists noticed that various trees began to regenerate. 'The knock-on effect' the regenerated trees provided nesting areas for birds and homes for other small creatures. Animals such as Beavers also began to return, improving water quality. Such changes indicate that wolves play a vital role in maintaining natural ecosystems. 

Wolves are considered a keystone species because of their significant influence on the environment. 

In winding up the feature on the Wolf, to close, I end with the famous old Cherokee Indian Legend, which I feel reflects Mankind and Wolf are alike (there is a relationship between Man and Wolf). The parable also illustrates a vital battle of Man's life (one of the most important) – the one between our good and bad.

Two Wolves

Good and Evil

Till we meet again, "Au Revoir, looking forward to catching up when we next chat, and in the meantime, warm and happy wishes your way."