Post by cenydd on Aug 23, 2013 10:48:36 GMT
Wolves howl more when a close companion or high-ranking group member leaves.
That's what scientists found when they analysed how captive wolves reacted when one was taken to the forest for a walk.
Known to be social creatures, the work further emphasises the importance of a wolf's relationships within its pack.
The findings, published in Current Biology, suggest the wolf's howl is explained by social factors rather than physiological ones such as stress.
Friederike Range from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria, who co-authored the work said the wolves were communicating to each other just how important they were.
"We didn't know there was some flexibility on how much they howl depending on their relationship. The amount of howling is really defined by the quality of the relationship." Dr Range said.
That's what scientists found when they analysed how captive wolves reacted when one was taken to the forest for a walk.
Known to be social creatures, the work further emphasises the importance of a wolf's relationships within its pack.
The findings, published in Current Biology, suggest the wolf's howl is explained by social factors rather than physiological ones such as stress.
Friederike Range from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria, who co-authored the work said the wolves were communicating to each other just how important they were.
"We didn't know there was some flexibility on how much they howl depending on their relationship. The amount of howling is really defined by the quality of the relationship." Dr Range said.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23767354
Perhaps I should be worried - mine seem to have a relationship with emergency vehicles!
