Grizzer – Instincts Abound

Grizzer has a great clip on Youtube this week showing him caching a deer leg.  It is amazing to watch a wolf cache, then go home to my pet dog and watch the exact same behavior from pushing with the nose to the tamping motion to make sure it’s covered well.  There’s a lot of new genetic research about the origin of the domestic dog, and whether it is related to current day wolves or wolves that have long been extinct, there is no denying there are some very strong behavioral correlations between our pet and wolves that developed behaviors necessary to survive in the wild.

Denali – The Lower Ranking Brother

In the wolf world, size does not equate to dominance and Denali demonstrates this well.  This winter, as Luna and Boltz matured, Denali could have clearly established himself over Boltz.  But, he spent the winter socially engaging as if he were a pup mate, not an older pack mate.  Where Denali is concerned, the only thing worth having a dominance struggle is over a deer leg or a beaver carcass.

Boltz – When Opportunities Exist…

When Boltz has an opportunity to make a few status point, even if it’s over the pack leader, the young adult behavior stimulates him to take the opportunity.  These opportunities exist when Aidan is in a strong social mood and displays a snowplow in the fresh snow.  A snowplow involves rolling on the ground and pushing your nose through the powder snow.  But, this is a vulnerable position if there’s a young adult close by.  When Aidan is on his back, the opportunity exists for Boltz to show some status and as this photo shows, he shows some intensity.  But, Aidan is strong and confident, a quick snarl and some forward motion reminds Boltz that it will be a few more years before he can attempt the pack leader role.

Aidan in a Moment of Rest

Aidan is the barometer of the pack.  If he can rest, we know the pack is calm.  The winter hormones seem to always have a slight tendency to increase the intensity, but despite continual sub-zero days, the pack remains very social.  While we had hoped for stronger pair bonding between Aidan and Luna, the issues is less likely with Aidan than with Luna’s intense possession and guarding of food.  We continue to work on Luna’s diet as we know it has a direct impact on Aidan’s rest.

Malik – To Guard and Possess

Malik has benefited from the frequent feedings associated with colder weather.  Even though we have a supply of deer, we still purchase chicken and beef for the older animals to increase their calorie intake on these frigid nights which have become much more frequent this winter.  Malik is a wolf that is quick to possess and guard food, so this recent cold weather has given him a lot of opportunities for behavioral displays. 

Shadow – Winter Status

February is the peak of wolf hormones and we notice an increase in dominance in the Exhibit Pack, but we also notice a bit more excitement in retirement.  Shadow has been showing some posturing behavior towards some of the staff, even at this age, status is important.

Grizzer – Howling or Chatter

Grizzer had some great excitement while the Exhibit Pack was using the front portion of his habitat.  Grizzer was fed a portion of a deer carcass and moved to the back side of his habitat while the exhibit pack created a wide variety of smells, caches and overall stimulus in the front half.  As soon as the Exhibit Pack was released, Grizzer was allowed to return and spent a good hour rolling, marking and eventually howling which is featured on this week’s Youtube video.  Although, his howling sounds more like chatter.

Boltz- A View from the Top

Boltz continues to show tendencies to be the lowest ranking pack member and we have spent a lot of time trying to keep his confidence level up and make sure he takes enough initiative to get his fair share of food.  He does seek out the straw beds and is frequently resting with Luna.

Denali – Just hanging around

Denali has had a good week. When we isolate the wolves for maintenance projects such as snow removal, we use a lot of food to keep the wolves distracted.  These extra meals in addition to the higher calorie diet of a cold snap means that Denali is getting a lot of meals.

Aidan- The Influence of Direct Stares

Aidan looked quite relaxed on the snow pile and it appears to be true, the dominant wolves tend to utilize the height advantage.  We have also noticed some interesting facial expressions from Aidan, specifically after the yearlings display high energy juvenile behavior.