maya – Aug 8, 2007 12:00 AM

The terms ponytail ears and chin rest are part of a behavioral Ethogram that the Wolf Care Staff have developed as a way of interpreting behavior and having all the staff communicating the same terms. Pony tail ears are the sign of a wolf that is very intimidated, when the ears are flat back looking like they are pulled into a pony tail. A chin rest is a sign of dominance. When Grizzer gets a bit excited by the dominance hierarchy with the male rank order, he sometimes redirects to his littermate, playing like they did when they were pups. You will see this on Grizzer’s clip as he asserts dominance over Maya. In Maya’s video, you will see the status of a dominant female (because she’s the only female), taking on the lead role in a howling session standing on the highest rock.