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Grey Wolf

Canis lupus


"Kindred"



     Working together as a group is as essential to the survival of the Grey Wolf as the food they eat.  With an established hierarchy among the pack with the alpha male and female as leaders, wolves work as a team from "pup-sitting" the alpha's young (as they are the only two permitted to breed within the pack), to hunting large game such as moose, caribou and elk.


     Communication is vital to all animals that live in groups.  The pups born into a pack learn this "language" early on.  A wolf pack communicates with sounds but it also employs smells, movement and body positions as well.  The main purpose of all the communications expressing rank and relationships within the pack is to keep peace.  Physical conflict is avoided because it would be destructive to the well-being of the pack.  Of course not all the communications that take place have to do with serious subjects.  Frequently the message that is conveyed is "Lets play!"