Have a Happy Howl-o-ween!!!!
For all of you who enjoy the Halloween season, there is probably that single sound that evokes the feeling of fear and trepedation. The howl of the wolves in the dark of night is enough to send goosebumps down your spine. Many people people believe that wolves, a direct cousin of our friend the dog, howl at the full moon because of something mystical, devilish or evil. In reality, the statement that wolves howl only at the moon is a myth. What is more accurate is that wolf howls are associated with the moon, because the wolves tend to be more active when the light is brighter, so it seems that their howls are only heard at that time, when in actuality, wolves howl at many different times based on various circumstances.
Wolves make many other sounds such as whimpers, barks, yips and growls, just like a dog, but they are oh so famous for their howls. So why do they howl? For the wolf, this is merely a communication mechanism. Remember, like our dogs, wolves are pack animals. Howling helps to keep the pack together. It helps to establish the “pecking order” in the pack as well. A certain type of howl will islolate the location of the wolf, so the others in the pack can join him/her. Very often, the pack may get spread out over vast areas of land, and the howl is used to draw them together.
Wolves in a pack might howl after a successful hunt to indicate to the rest of the pack that food is available. This is usually a high pitched frequent howl; it sounds happy and celebratory. Social howls used to bring wolves together before a hunt and may also be used to warn neighboring packs that a pack is near and to stay out of their territory.
The wolf also has a howl that is known as the lonely howl and it is characterized by sounds with a rising and falling pitch. This is most prevelant during the mating season when a wolf is in search of a mate.
I can remember several instances during the middle of the night when my dogs were sleeping and they began to howl. Whether they were dreaming or using an inate primal instinct evolved from their cousins the wolves, I will never know. I do know it was an awesome sound and I enjoyed hearing the natural song of their ancestors and realized how truly close my family pets were to their wonderful wild relatives.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!
Check out some other Halloween information and an entry on picking a puppy at http://www.parentingunderthestars.com/
April 14th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
love your articles do not stop writing them. Ome are cute and some are verry sad.It is hard to believe that some people abuse animals.And others love them so much that they would spend all their money to keep the animal safe and alive. I myself have three cats , one dog, 5 rabbits, and I also feed the deers and birds. If anyone tried to hurt my animals I would take the law in my one hands. Thanks for the articles Love Shirley.