Gestures
Sounds
Tail Positions
MoOnPaW's Lecture
Upon entering the Silver Mists clearing, you will be approached by the alphas. You will recognize them by their dominant stance. They will probably sniff you, and watch you suspiciously. Show submission, stand still, and maybe give a tail wag to show you are friendly. The alpha will then give some sign that you are welcome, usually a nuzzle or lick. This is an example of body language. Here is a list of some actions and the intentions, emotions, or characteristics they represent:
Nuzzle: Wolves rub their muzzles against each other muzzles and necks to show affection or respect. This can also mean that one is welcome in the clearing or forgiven for something, depending on context. Wolves may also rub against each other to leave marks to show that they are friends or part of the same pack.
Lick: Wolves lick each each other to help groom fur, a sign of great affection or respect. Wolves may also lick at wounds to clean blood, and often wolves help each other clean. A slurp is a nice drooly lick, always a sign of affection.
Direct Stare: This is considered a threat, especially by a visitor to the clearing. When a high ranking member stares down a lower-ranked member, they are putting them in their place or warning them not to do something. This may also be an authority challenge when a lower-ranked wolf stares at a higher-ranked wolf. Lower-ranked members should immediately turn their heads from a higher-ranked members stare to show respect.
Pounce: Wolves may jump on each other or tackle each other when playing. This is almost always an act of play, followed by a game of chase, or a nuzzle or lick.
Panting: Wolves pant when they are hot or tired. This can also be a way of grinning when a wolf is happy or pleased with something.
Tipped Head: Wolves may tip their head out of confusion or curiosity, and usually the tail raises some when the head is tipped. This can be a wolfish way of shrugging.
Pinning: Wolves pin each other when in play, and this usually means one is conquered. Depending on context, this can also be putting one in their place. If two wolves are fighting, often one or the other will be pinned and growled at, so the fighting will stop.
A wolf enters the clearing. His mate chuffs to him softly, wagging her tail. He chuffs in return. He begins to approach her, but gets to close to a wolf who does not know him. This wolf growls lowly at him, and the alpha barks as a warning. He whines softly and immediately moves to his mate's side. His pup comes towards him, tail wagging, but he doesn't notice her. She yips loudly, and he nips her paw. She yelps. He nuzzles her, and she whines softly. Two wolves begin fighting, and they watch. Each wolf stares each other down, snarling loudly, and the alpha barks to interfere. She growls loudly at the two, and they notice her and stop. This is an example of communication through sounds.
Howling: Wolves how to communicate with wolves in the distance, like when locating them. They also do it to scare off predators or notify other packs of their existance. They howl to assemble the pack or just for the fun of it. Often, we will howl to congradulate someone or mourn a loss or to suggest great emotion.
Barking: Indicates stress or a warning.
Growl: Sound of threat, and can also be a sound of mock challenge during a playfight. A low growl is a warning, but a higher growl can mean intense aggression, an order to immediately show submission or obey a command.
One whines when sorrowful or showing submission. Meaning can differ according to context, for example, a high-pitched whimper can show intimacy. Wolves also whine when in pain or hurt.
Chuff: Soft woof, often used to greet wolves that one knows well
Yip: High pitched bark used to get someone's attention, or show pain.
Yelp: Loud yip, showing great pain.
A wolf enters a clearing. Another wolf sees them and approaches them, head held high, tail erect. The new wolf lowers his tail and stands still as the dominant wolf sniffs him. He lowers his ears. The alpha nuzzles this wolf, and he nuzzles in response, keeping his tail lower than hers. They hear a nose in the distance, and the alpha lowers her tail and head a little, staring into the forest. The wolf starts towards the noise, but the alpha growls softly as a warning to stay near him. He ignores it, and starts away again. She growls a bit louder and brushes her tail sideways, reminding him of her dominance. He lowers his tail more and brushes it sideways, curling up nearby. This is an example of communication by tail positions. Here are some tail positions and possible meanings:
Erect: Shows dominance and self-confidence.
Vertical: Demonstrates feeling threatened. Usually the head is lowered and ears are flattened along with this, and teeth may be bared.
Erect and brushing sideways: Serious reminder that one wolf is more dominant than another.
Tail lowered some: This is normal. It shows that one is just relaxed and not pressured to show dominance or submission at the time. This does not, however, mean that one wolf is not dominant. Only that they do not need to show their dominance. Common during eating and observing.
Lowered and curled a bit: This shows that one suspects a threat but is not sure of it.
Pressed against backside: Depressed mood.
Slightly lifted: Between threat and defense.
Lowered and swishing: Actively casting ones-self down and showing dominance.
Curled around or between legs: Complete submission. May also mean that one is frightened or feels totally dominated, as when depressed or hurt.
Loose & Free, Wagging: Friendliness, welcoming another.
Trembling/Vertical: Typical when one high-ranked wolf meets another.
MoOnPaW: Earlier, when I was staring at GhostRunner and nudging meat towards him, that was body language. When he turned it down, that was testing the Alpha's authority. So I jumped up and clapped my jaws against him, barking. That was me putting him in his place. I stared at him again, nudged the meat towards him, and he automatically looked away and ate the meat. That was showing me that he knows his place in the pack, and looking away was a sign of submission. That is an example of body language.
RoseWolfie: So if I stare at Jadie, what does that mean?
MoOnPaW: It means that you are dominant at an early age, and you could be an Alpha one day. But in real wolf packs, only Alphas or Betas hold their tails high; however, Betas will never place their heads higher than the Alphas, and the other wolves keep their tails no higher than at a straight line, lining up with their body. Usually when alphas place their tails high, they are dealing with a member in the pack, showing their authority. The head and ears can also mean a bunch of different things: submission, anger, annoyment, alertness. Perking up one's ears at a sound shows they are listening. If an Alpha or higher-ranked wolf looked at you, you'd flatten your ears and look away fast. Crouching down with your tail tucked beneath you and ears back is a sign of submission.
MoOnPaW: If a wolf higher than you stares at you and flattens their ears back it can be a warning to leave them alone. Wolves usually get angry for a split second, and once submission is shown, the confrontation is over. Some body language, such as nuzzles, licks, curling tails around each other is a sign of love and affection. Wolves may also nuzzle to rub scents together, to show they are a bonded pack. It can also tell a wolf how many members of the pack have rubbed them to show they care, thus giving a wolf a sense of how big a pack is.
MoOnPaW: Wolves spray urine on trees to mark territory or to show that a female is in heat. If a wolf from a family sprays a spot and then another wolf from its family sprays the exact spot, it may tell others that the two are mated or very good friends in the same pack.
MoOnPaW: If I bark at you, panting, with my tail wagging and drop my upper chest, neck, and head towards the ground and wiggle my butt in the air slightly, it's a sign of play. if I got up and ran off watching you, it can be a game of tag, and you're it. If I stood in front of you wagging my tail and panting, then slapped my front paws on the ground and barked at you, this can say "Wake up. I want to play." If a wolf doesn't get up, it means they're tired, lazy, or just don't want to play. If a wolf doesn't get up but wags their tail and yips, this could say "I want to play, but you gotta come get me." or "OK, pounce me."
MoOnPaW: Crouching and crawling towards a wolf can be a sign of submission or an apology. Wolf Language is usually a lot of body movements together to show mood or intentions. If a stare is followed by a solemn look, it can be a sign of authority. If I want to stare at you because your eyes are pretty, then thats usually done with a friendly wag and panting smile.