Boltz- Spring Snows

Boltz is displaying a submissive ear posture as he makes his way through yet another spring snow event.  Staff are sympathetic to his behavior expression of submission, we are all voicing the same opinion;  Enough with the snow.. let spring begin.  While we know weather affects our human lives, it’s important to remember that wildlife are affected by weather as well.  There are physiological impacts of weather in the form of hypothermia, physical changes to a wolves pelage as temperatures warm and shedding of the undercoat occurs.  But in captivity, we witness behavioral changes that can occur with weather.  Our ambassador wolves get excited with the first snows of the year or the crisp cool air that transitions fall into winter, but by spring, the stimulus seems to be greatest as the weather warms and melt occurs.  As we endure another spring snowfall, the expression of submission is more often witnessed than excitement.   Maybe it’s the influence of the human handlers, wolves  are definitely influenced by the energy and attitude of their caretakers.