Howling
is the type of vocal communication the wolf is most famous
for (also in their vocal repertoire are whimpers, yips,
growls, and barks). Its no surprise that we are
captivated by the sound of a howl, for as the mysterious
song fills the vast expanses we are somehow reminded
of, and are reconnected to, the wondrous aspects of nature
that we may have forgotten about.
Once
a wolf begins howling, other pack members often show
a strong tendency to approach that animal and join in.
Lois Crisler has said, Like a community sing, a
howl is a happy occasion. Wolves love to howl. When it
is started, they instantly seek contact with one another,
troop together, fur to fur. Some wolves will run from
any distance, panting and bright-eyed, to join in, uttering,
as they near, fervent little wows, jaws wide, hardly
able to wait to sing.
While
the functions of howling are not fully understood, several
different types of howling have been identified, each
used under different circumstances. Once thing is certain,
howling appears to be the glue that keeps the pack together
and plays a role in the formation and/or the maintenance
of strong bonds between other members of the pack. Some
members, usually those who rank lowest in the pack hierarchy,
however, may be discouraged, or punished for
joining in a howling chorus.
One
of the most often used howls is a call which reassembles
the pack, such as after a chase, or if a wolf has gotten
lost. This is a deep, loud, and guttural sound sometimes
accompanied with a few barks. Howling seems to convey
the location of individual wolves so they can reunite.
As wolves range over vast areas to find food, they often
become separated from one another. Because of its low
pitch and long duration, howling is well-suited for transmission
in forests and across tundra and can be carried several
miles. If a wolf gets separated from the pack, howling
soon begins. In one instance, it was observed that after
a mother wolf became separated from her young on one
side of a river, she howled to guide her pups to a safe
spot to cross.
When
wolves return from a hunt, those who stayed behind will
rush to greet them and howling may break out as well.
Additionally, wolves will sometimes howl after a chase
to celebrate a successful hunt.
Before
a hunt, a different kind of howl, the social howl, may
serve to excite the pack members and bond them prior
to setting out. This type of howl is one of sheer joy
and is often heard as the pack gathers for a hunt. This
social howl celebrates togetherness, pleasure, and friendship.
Resting wolves will begin romping about with tails wagging
while they sniff and press against each other. Then they
will join in on the howl. Wolves will not, however, howl
to initiate a chase and will be silent when actually
hunting.
The
social howl is also used as a warning to wolves in nearby
territories. This howl, therefore, has much significance
between packs, as well as within. Inter-pack howling
may sometimes go on for hours promoting speculation that
the howling may function in territorial advertisement
or maintenance, and may be a threat or warning. Howling
to warn other packs to stay away is most often heard
during the mating season, as well as when the pack is
at the den or resting sites. Wolves responding to unknown
wolf howls are warning the intruder that they will hold
their territory and defend their mates, pups, or food
sources. However, lone wolves who intend to travel outside
their home territory do so silently, because a meeting
with wolves in another territory may lead to a confrontation,
which sometimes proves fatal to the intruder.
Another
type of howl occurs when a wolf is lonely. This is a
rising and falling sound with a long slide at the end.
This howl is heard mostly during the mating season when
a wolf is looking for a possible mate and wolves tend
to howl more frequently around the breeding season. A
captive wolf might also howl due to a feeling of isolation.
Some
researchers have noted that wolves sometimes appear to
howl simply because they are happy (a happy howl can
sound mournful). For example, it has been
observed that when a mother wolf is giving birth to her
pups inside the den, wolves on the outside start howling
and become very excited, prancing about. Once the pups
are born the excitement increases and howling gets even
louder.
Howling
appears to identify a particular wolf, much like a fingerprint
does for primates. The many different qualities within
a howl allow other wolves to know which wolf is doing
the howling so they may identify each other and also
those individuals who are not part of their pack. Several
field researchers have even claimed the ability to distinguish
specific wolves in a pack by their characteristic howls!
Additionally, no two wolves will howl on the same note.
There is harmony. If two wolves do start on the same
note, one or both will change their beginning note. Why
they do this is unclear, although some believe it makes
the pack sound like a bigger group of animals and, therefore,
more threatening to intruders.
There is some evidence that howling might also supply information about their
behavior, such as whether the wolf is walking slowly, pacing, or lying
down. If such details can be detected in howls, they only occur among associated
wolves that have learned to relate each other's behavior to the specific
changes in howling. This is only one example illustrating the importance
of learning during the socialization process of these intelligent animals.
So,
do wolves howl at the moon? It is safe to say that this
thought is just a myth. Wolf howls have been inadvertently
associated with the moon most likely because they are
more active on brighter lit nights.
If
you are one of the fortunate ones able to hear a wolf,
or a pack of wolves, howl in your lifetime think about
all the reasons why they might be howling and, as Mark
D. Martinson has said, When you hear a wolfs
howl, listen to it to the full. Feel its primeval beauty,
way deep in your soul.
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