denali – May 13, 2008 12:00 AM

Data recorded through the last 24 hours included: <br>3:37 am – Took 30 seconds to lock on to nipple. Then voracious feeder. Post feeding, climbed on top of stuffed wolf for additional suckling. <br> <br>5:01 am – Growled and barked during sleep. The two pups are sleeping together with stuffed wolf. <br> <br>6:15 am – Slow to latch on to bottle, wanted nipple rubbed on gums. Upper canines and front incisors have emerged. <br><br> 6:30 pm – Head shake on stuffed wolf and displayed a little howling when the video editing camera was downloading data of the Exhibit Pack howling. <br><br>Play behavior is increasing in intensity as mobility is improving on both pups. This dominance behavior is inherent to wolves, and they will continue to alternate dominance postures throughout their juvenile stage until one pup clearly becomes dominant. At this time, the higher ranking pup is usually the one who wakes up first. Pup #1 did a head shake on pup # 2 while pup # 2 was sleeping. <br><br> I'd like to comment briefly on some of the audio being posted. Prior to the pups full hearing development (18 – 20 days of age), moans are the most common pup sound, and will decline as they get older. Pups moan while nursing, asleep or resting. Researchers suggest that that moans may be a passive consequence of respiration, but that they are also likely to provide a continual signal to the mother in a dark den. The moan doesn't elicit a response from the mother, but an absence of moaning may indicate something is wrong. Whining is higher pitched than moaning, and is often associated with a discomfort or desire, such as the need to feed, be warm, socially interact or escape. Squeaking is usually developed after 15 days of age, and by week 4, is the most common sound in the pups vocalizations. <br><br> The audio sound you are hearing is Pup # 1 responding to the video tape download of the Exhibit Pack howling.