shadow – Dec 11, 2006 12:00 AM

It’s easy to determine when Shadow’s having a bit of anxiety. In this week’s photo, he’s anxious about Grizzer behind him. The use of facial expressions, ear postures and eye contact is very critical in canid communication. But, as you see in this week’s video, Shadow is relaxing as Grizzer’s testing seems to be calming. Shadow is doing a behavior termed a snowplow. This is where wolves push the snow with their nose, then roll to the side and sometimes roll over on their back. This may be a grooming function, as it’s observed after carcass feedings when they may have blood on their nose, but it also appears to be an expression of relaxation.