Denali – Pelage Changes with Age

Visitors and staff alike comment on the coloration changes of our older wolves, particularly Denali.  He is definitely changing with age physically, his facial coloration is more cream colored than the golden brown of his youth, but this is one wolf that is not changing behaviorally.  Denali still displays the youthful, tail-wagging, play-bowing exuberance reminiscent of his youth.  Certainly, individual personality traits can dictate wolf behavior, but it is interesting to investigate behavioral correlations to rank status.  Aidan as a dominant pack leader tends to be more keyed into asserting dominance.  Denali, as a lower ranking pack member, tends to display a more social response to pack activities.