Vocalizations of Wolves and What They Mean
Wolves use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with each other and their pack. Howling is perhaps the most well-known wolf vocalization, and it serves multiple purposes.
Howling is a way for wolves to communicate over long distances. It can be used to rally the pack together, warn other packs of danger, or let others know where they are.
Wolves will also howl when they are lonely or sad. The sound of a howl echoes for miles and can be very haunting.
Growls are usually used as a warning sign and can be directed at other animals or humans. A growl can also be a sign of aggression or dominance.
Snarls are similar to growls but are usually louder and accompanied by bared teeth. This is a clear sign that the wolf is feeling threatened and is ready to attack.
A whimper is a sign of submissiveness or fear and is often used by lower-ranking members of the pack to signal to the alpha that they are not a threat. Adult wolves will also whimper when they are hurt or in pain.
Puppies whimper when they are trying to get their mother’s attention.
A yip is a short, high-pitched vocalization that is used for a variety of purposes. Puppies will yip when they want to play or get their mother’s attention.
Adult wolves will also yip when they are excited or happy, such as when they are greeting another member of the pack.
A whine is a low, plaintive vocalization that is usually used to express disappointment or distress. For example, a wolf may whine when it’s hungry or in pain.
As we mentioned before, wolves do bark, but it sounds nothing like the bark of a dog. Wolves will usually only bark when they are alarmed or feeling threatened.
The sound is more like a short, sharp yelp than the prolonged “woof” of a domestic dog.
The Relationship Between Wolves and Dogs
The domestic dog (Canis familiairis) is a direct descendant of the gray wolf (Canis lupus). Modern-day dogs came to be after thousands of years of being bred by humans for different purposes such as hunting, herding, and companionship.
While dogs and wolves are closely related, they have evolved to become quite different creatures.
The most obvious difference is in their appearance. Wolves are much larger than most dogs, with males averaging around 180 pounds and females around 130 pounds. They also have longer legs, bigger feet, larger muzzles, and a more streamlined body.
Their coat also differs, with wolves having a thicker double coat that helps them to better withstand the cold weather.
Dogs, on the other hand, come in all shapes and sizes due to the many different types of breeds that have been created.
There are also big differences in temperament and behavior between dogs and wolves. For instance, dogs are naturally social creatures that enjoy the company of humans and other animals, while wolves are much more independent and prefer to stick to their own pack.
Dogs have also been bred to be less aggressive than wolves, which makes them much better suited as a pet.
Most importantly, a dog’s bark benefits them. It is an easy way to communicate and who could fault them? Where would you be in your life if you could not articulate even the simplest phrases like “Hey bro, Im hungry.”
Seeing all the ways dogs communicate is an interesting exercise if you happen to find the time. Many bark, growl, and howl, and some even combinations of the three; creating some noise similar to a belch and a yawn at the same time. For the lucky few, they howl a show-tune that takes them from small-time house dog to beloved by millions. Between all the hootin and hollerin’, its easy to see why we have grown such a fascination with the ways in which dogs choose to communicate with us and the world around them. Why is it that there is such a diversity, even among dogs of the same breed?
Adjusting the behavior of your dog can be tricky and it all really comes down to what is causing the behavior in the first place. If your dog perceives danger, his reaction will be to bark to alert those nearby of the danger. If barking at strangers approaching your house is how excessive barking usually comes about, it may be wise to consider not changing that behavior. It could come someday to save you or your possessions. If, however, the barking is far less beneficial, then you can take steps to change them. Remember this is a learned behavior and it is all about how you respond to them barking. If they bark at you whenever they want you to fill their bowl, then filling their bowl after they bark only reinforces that behavior. The same concept applies to the mailman approaching. If you run up to your dog when they begin to bark, this is you responding to their alarms. In their mind, they have done what they set out to accomplish and therefore reinforced the behavior. The key is to break the cause and effect relationship. If they bark at you for food, switch to a scheduled time each day to feed them and do not react when they bark at you. Eventually, they will understand that is not working and they will drop the tactic.
Wolves howl and it is kind of their trademark. Their biological descendants do as well, but the brand that is commonly associated with their form of communication is a bark. A wolf does not bark. As it turns out, this may be a learned behavior. In the wild, barking does not offer much assistance. It is not easily confused with another species, so predators wouldnt likely be dissuaded. The prey would also recognize the noise, and in their fear, would scatter and hide. The loud and repetitive sounds from a dog barking dont carry the same way a howl does and so would be less effective for communication. Alas, the bark does very little outside the house but in fact, carries a great power in the context of human companionship, especially in less developed times. Dogs, through much of human history, have been used as an alarm system. Loyal to their human companions, any unknown or unwanted guests greeted by the bark of the beast would often turn tail because they understand exactly the same thing the dog understands. The bark is not meant to scare them off but instead is designed to alert you to their presence. We likely have trained them over thousands of years of conditioning to behave this way. Barking has also had an important place in hunting, a sport and way of life that has a long history with canines. A hunting dog will run and bark at prey, scattering them and making others take flight. This bark signals back to the hunter that prey is near and the direction they should be looking. The animals’ reaction to the dog removes it from hiding, and whilst evading the dog, becomes a clear and easy target for the hunter.
We taught dogs to bark. We continuously teach them to bark and even our passive reactions can reinforce this behavior. Not to advocate having a wolf as a pet, but if we did, they would likely bark as well. It is not that dogs dont have the physical ability to bark while wolves dont. instead, human companionship has taught them to use this technique to communicate with us. You can hear a lot if you listen.
This Is The Reason You’ll Never Hear A Wolf Bark
When it comes to the animal kingdom, wolves are one of the most misunderstood creatures. Many people think they are just like dogs, but this could not be further from the truth.
While dogs and wolves are related, they don’t bark the same way. Wolves can bark, but they sound significantly different from domestic dogs. Their bark also holds a different meaning.
Wolves have a variety of vocalizations and communication tactics used for different purposes, and understanding these vocalizations is key to understanding wolf behavior. Let’s take a closer at them and how they compare to our pet dogs.