Denali – A Lot of Hair for the Start of Summer

Denali has always been the last wolf to shed his undercoat.  We continue to brush him to encourage shedding, but there is a lot more hair to remove before the hot days of summer.  People often comment about Denali’s coloration.  He is more golden brown in coloration than Aidan, but as he ages, he has some interesting patterns of white on his head and down the middle of his muzzle.  It may be another month before all of his undercoat has shed.  In contrast, the pups have completed the shed process and the remainder of the ambassador wolves are in varying stages of a summer coat.  Most have kept the hair around their necks.  When working with the wolves, we often like to have another perspective on the wolves behavior that is independent of our wolf care time.  From January – April, the Vermilion Community College Ethology class completed 100 hours of observation on the Exhibit Pack and had the following assessment on Denali:

“Denali has the advantage of being the largest current pack member. He and Aidan are also most senior. Regardless, he shows little interest in rank or dominance. His days of testing other pack members may be behind him. Rather, Denali seems most comfortable when left to his own devices (commonly demonstrated by a relaxed T3 position, delayed participation in or abstention of group behaviors, and the ignoring of others).

Despite Denali’s showing physical signs of aging (i.e. lightening of his pelage and long periods of rest), he continues to display an inquisitive, almost pup-like set of investigatory behaviors. Whether he is observing from a resting position (e.g. RSX with EP or EPTS) or actively investigating (WK, RN, SF, SCP, PA, etc.), his frequent pricked ears and wagging tail demonstrate a continued interest and excitement with regards to his surroundings and pack mates. Even though Denali spent most of his time resting (69%), he was often still alert and paying attention to what was going on around him. He even selected more advantageous resting locations, like above the central pump house, to oversee activity within the enclosure.

The infrequent times in which Denali displayed dominance or aggression mostly had to do with food and food possession. Even Aidan was not immune to Denali’s stares and lip curls when food was involved. Denali also spent significant time and energy dragging carcasses away from others and caching food, albeit in nearby, highly visible places like the central den.”