How Do Wolves Interact With Communities?

Wolves are considered scary by many people because of their howling, growling and stereotype as a predator. Wolves are actually scared of humans, and more dangerous for other animals within their community. Moose, caribou and other large animals are more at risk for wolf attack then humans are. Wolves communicate with each other and with humans by body language, speaking and group-behavior characteristics.

  1. Submissive Behavior

    • There are two distinct two types of submissive behaviors in wolves: passive and active submission. Active submission shown by a wolf is displayed as crouching, licking the muzzle and tucking in their tail. This type of submission is used by adult wolves towards one another as sign of intimacy and acceptance. A wolf lying on the back or side or exposing their chest and abdomen is a sign of passive submission. This type of submissive behavior is shown when wolves are in a disagreement with another and one wolf (the passive wolf) gives in to the more dominant wolf. Wolves are not likely to display this behavior with humans, as they often view themselves as the alpha or the leader.

    Speaking

    • Wolves have four primary types of communication: barking, whimpering, growling and howling. Barking is used by wolves as a warning. Wolves may bark at their pups or pack mates when there is danger near. Whimpering occurs when a wolf mother shows interest in nursing her pup and also when a pup is giving the "I give up." Warning other wolves or asserting dominance to humans or predators is done by growling. Howling can be defensive (to keep the pack together and keep predators away) or social (just for fun or to locate one another).

    Alpha Male and Female

    • Wolf packs are organized, with distinct leaders and followers. The leaders of the pack are the male (father) and female (mother). These two wolves have likely parented many of the wolves in the pack, and could be largest, strongest, oldest and most intelligent. In the wolf community the parents are the only wolves to produce pups. When a human is encountered the alpha male and female are pushed to the back of the pack, and the pack followers hold the line and ensure safety of the pack by growling or attacking if needed.

    As Predator and Prey

    • Wolves prey upon caribou, moose and other forest mammals. Wolves assist in keeping these populations low and manageable. Unfortunately there are not many predators for the wolf, and according to Northern Lights Wildlife, some park rangers and wildlife management teams are finding the wolf population uncontrollable. Hunting and/or trapping should only be discussed by government and wildlife officials.

    Human Interaction

    • In general, most wolves are scared of humans, although there are circumstances in which wolves will interact amongst people. These situations involve human food, domestic dogs and if the wolf is diseased or ill. Wolves may become accustomed to eating human food at campsites or parks. The wolves then will try their hardest to get human food, even threatening humans. Domestic dogs bring out the fight-or-flight instinct in wolves, causing danger for humans, dogs and wolves. If a wolf is sick, has rabies or some other disease, they may become dangerous for humans or other wolves.