Caz Shaking the Snow from his Sparse Guard Hairs

Being able to distinguish Blackstone and Caz can be a challenge.  For those of  us that interact with them on a daily basis, we have some pointers to make the ID easier.   Caz has an intense predatory drive, so if you see one of the 2022 pups (now known as yearlings) attempting to grab a piece of meat or intently protect a deer hide, it is likely Caz.   Another physical clue to identify Caz relates to to this intense predatory drive;  As a wolf pup that is more inclined to be in conflict with the rest of the pack over food possession, he is also more likely to get rolled to the ground and pinned for his intense food aggression.  This constant force of getting rolled on his back has worn off some of his young guard hairs, leaving a sparse winter coat.  We witnessed a similar issue with Aidan in the winter of 2009, not because he was food possessive, but he lived with a dominant female Maya that seemed to focus on keeping Aidan in a subordinate position.   With Aidan as we likely expect with Caz, his guard hairs will fill in as he approaches next fall as a maturing  young adult.   Caz and Blackstone turned one year of age on April 6th; Caz is tracking about 8 pounds smaller than his littermate, weighing 92 pounds on his birthday, compared to Blackstone’s 100 pounds.  We also notice that Caz is more reserved in his social interactions with the wolf care staff.  The 2022 litter was acquired after the critical bonding period, so you may notice a difference in the sweeping tail wags of Rieka towards the staff compared to Blackstone in Caz.  The trust and bond towards staff is best formed in the first 21 days of their life.  The result of a weak trust may result in behavior that is more neophobic or fearful of new experiences, strange people and even the heater in the Wolf Care Center.  The morning procedure checklist includes turning this heater off before Caz comes into the building to get weighed.