Buzz
Animals convey much through their postures and gestures. For those interested in wolves, this guide offers insights into interpreting wolf body language, highlighting signs of aggression, dominance, submission, fear, relaxation, happiness, melancholy, anxiety, and playfulness.
Steps to Understand
Indicators of Aggression
Observe the wolf's fur. Raised hackles indicate aggression or anger.
Observe the wolf's gaze. The eyes should widen, assuming a more primal appearance, fixated directly on the subject of its aggression.
Inspect the wolf's mouth. Look for retracted lips, bared teeth, visible fangs, exposed gums, and a curled-back tongue as signs of aggression.
Watch for the ambivalent display. This includes baring teeth and gums, protruding the tongue, and fluffing out fur to appear larger and more intimidating.
Listen for growls or snarls. Wolves emit growls or snarls when exhibiting aggression towards others, often accompanied by bared teeth and curled lips.
Observe if a wolf subdues another. In cases of heightened aggression, a wolf may pin down another, targeting vulnerable areas like the throat and abdomen, potentially resulting in fatalities. This behavior typically asserts dominance within the pack.
Observe if the wolf snaps its teeth toward another wolf. In the presence of multiple wolves, one may swiftly snap its teeth at another as a sign of aggression. Although contact may or may not occur, the wolf adopts a wild look and bares its teeth threateningly while curling back its lips.
- This behavior is more of a warning than an actual attack, as the teeth typically do not make contact with fur or flesh.
Examine the wolf's nose. The skin on the nose should retract as the snout curls back.
Inspect the wolf's forehead. The skin should shorten and crease slightly over the eyes, forming a frown.
Assess the wolf's posture. The head should be raised high, eyes fixed on the subject of aggression. The body should stand tall, neck arched.
Check the wolf's tail. The tail should be held high and vibrating slightly when the wolf is agitated.
