*Bark - Loud welcoming gesture. Can be playful, serious or even chastising. *Chuff - Soft, under the breath bark. Playful but mostly affectionate.
*Yip/Yap - High Pitched bark common to puppies.
*Woof - Low, deep bark common to older wolves.
*Murr - Romantic sound between mates. Likened to a purr.
*Griggle - Distinct wolf laughter, a mix of a giggle and a non-threatening growl.
*Whimper - Sad, high pitched sound. Often in pain.
*Whine - Fearful or sad gesture. Also a sign of submission.
*Yelp - Short high pitched whine of shock or pain.
*Yawn - Sounds a bit like an elongated growl.
*Growl - Infamous sound, usually shows anger or dominance. Threatening but can also be used playfully
*Snarl - Extremely angry and threatening growl, throaty and final.
*Howl - Continuous echo. Used to call wolves together and communicate over long distances, howling is a bonding sound, somtimes accompanying a kill, it is a sound that is often used to strengthen bonds within the pack
Actions
*Pad - Slow walk. Named for the pads of a wolf's paw. *Pounce - Playful gesture of bouncing toward another wolf, often landing with front legs bended.
*Tackle - Typical result of pouncing. Jumping on another to playfully (or angrily) take them down.
*Sniff - A normal greeting and way of gaining more information about a wolf.
*Nuzzle - Affectionate gesture of greeting, respect and affection
*Lick - Affectionate gesture between relations.
*Slurp - Affectionate, lengthy lick that leaves LOTS of slobber.
*Nibble - Playful gesture of chewing on another wolf. Usually ears, tail or paws.
*Chase - Playful or angry gesture. Also done during hunting.
*Hunt - A survival act. The circle of life, the food chain. Hunting and killing an animal for food.
*Tail Wag - One of many tail positions described below. Friendly and welcoming.
Postures - Tail
*Tail held high in the air indicates the wolf is the dominant wolf, most likely an alpha. *Stiff horizontal tail indicates that the wolf is going to attack, is hunting, is angry or is annoyed.
*A wagging tail indicates that the wolf is relaxed and even happy.
*A half drooped tail indicates the wolf is relatively relaxed.
*Fully dropped tails show that the wolf is even more relaxed, very calm.
*A half tucked tail comes with a partially arched back. Submission and humility to another.
*A fully tucked tail comes with highly arched back and shows extreme fear.
Tail Position and Description:
1-The tail is held erect and high. This signifies a leadership role. The alpha male and the alpha female are the ones that normally hold their tail in this position. This is also a sign of confidence.
2-Attack arousal. The wolf is not sure what is going to happen, but is taking a posture that can be either offensive or defensive. This is a "ready for aggression" posture.
3-Imposing attitude with sideways brushing. The wolf holding its tail like this is a confident animal.
4-Normal tail position. This is a common tail position when the wolf is eating or observing. It shows interest in something.
5-Very relaxed position. This occurs in a situation when there is no social pressure.
6-Submissive position. This position indicates to other wolves that no aggressive behavior is fourth coming.
7-An extreme sign of submission and/or fear.
Postures - Body
*Body low/crouching is a sign of sneakiness and is common during hunting and attacking. *Body tight and turned with a snarl is used when a wolf is defensive or feeling threatened.
*Laying on the ground, underbelly exposed indicated passive submission.
*Body low to the ground, head kept below another wolf's shows active submission.
*Body relaxed and running is just playful. Body tight, tail tucked while running shows fear.
*Front legs bent, rear body still in the air shows playfulness and often an impending pounce.
*Front of body extended but tail tucked and back arched shows fear and aggressiveness at once.
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