Wolf Ethogram T-Z

Wolf Ethogram T-Z

The wolf ethogram behavior cards are listed in alphabetical order on every page. Each card includes a photo demonstrating the behavior, its name, and the code or abbreviation on the front. Hover your mouse over the picture to “flip” the card to see the back and learn about the behavior category and definition.

As you watch the live cams, you may see certain behaviors more frequently. The 20 most commonly seen behaviors are marked with an asterisk.

Download our ethogram worksheets and practice tracking wolf behaviors while viewing the Live Wolf Cams
Portrait Wolf Ethogram Worksheet | Landscape Wolf Ethogram Worksheet

Select a Group of Behavior Cards:

Behavior Category Descriptions A-G H-P R-S T-Z

Dominance, Food/Predatory, Social
The tail is held high above the plane of the back; this indicates the highest confidence and/or can be part of a display of intense dominance or excitement.

T1 Tail (T1)
Dominance, Food/Predatory, Social
The tail is held level with the back; this indicates high confidence and/or can be part of a display of dominance or excitement.

T2 Tail (T2)
Dominance, Social
The tail is carried below the level of the back at about a 45 degree angle; this is a neutral/relaxed position.

T3 Tail (T3)
Dominance, Social
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.

T3.5 Tail (T3.5)
Dominance, Food/Predatory
The tail is tucked between the legs and may be touching the belly; often seen while in strong submission and/or a display of anxiety.

T4 Tail (T4)
Dominance
Blocking behavior from one wolf to another. Typically a sign of asserting power over the other wolf. Sometimes paired with a chinrest.

T-Formation (TF)
Dominance, Social
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.

Tail Wag (TG)
Dominance, Food/Predatory
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.

Threat (THT)
Investigatory
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.

Trot (TT)
Food/Predatory
To pull or strain hard at with legs braced against the direction of the pull.

Tug (TG)
Food/Predatory
Two wolves take hold of parts of an object and pull against each other.

Tug-of-War (TOW)
Investigatory
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, Flexed Leg (FLU)
Dominance, Investigatory
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, Raised Leg (RLU)*
Investigatory
To discharge urine while standing in a slight squat, usually a posture of subordinate males.

Urination, Standing (US)
Investigatory
To discharge urine while squatting; a posture typical of females and immature males.

Urination, Squat (USQ)
Investigatory
To step in or through water not deep enough for swimming.

Wade (WD)
Investigatory
To move along on foot, advancing by steps.

Walk (WK)
Investigatory
To move about without an observable course or goal. At the Center, this can be confused with general exploratory behavior when including sniffing behaviors.

Wander (WN)
Dominance
When the whites of the eyes are visible; often in response to stress or anxiety.

Whale Eyes (WE)
Dominance, Social
To utter a high-pitched, plaintive or distressed vocalization; often used to call puppies or as an attention-getting signal.

Whine (WH)
Dominance
To move or rotate in a circle or semicircle, especially with force or speed, usually to confront another wolf.

Whirl (WRL)
Dominance
To grapple with another wolf in order to throw that wolf off balance and knock it down.

Wrestle (WR)*
Rest
To open the mouth wide, usually as an involuntary reaction to fatigue, boredom or a response to stress.

Yawn (YN)

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