Prolonged intensive dominance behavior between gray wolves, Canis lupus
Canadian Field-Naturalist
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Abstract
Dominance is one of the most pervasive and important behaviors among wolves in a pack, yet its significance in free-ranging packs has been little studied. Insights into a behavior can often be gained by examining unusual examples of it. In the High Arctic near Eureka, Nunavut, Canada, we videotaped and described an unusually prolonged and intensive behavioral bout between an adult male Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) and a male member of his pack, thought to be a maturing son. With tail raised, the adult approached a male pack mate about 50 m from us and pinned and straddled this packmate repeatedly over 6.5 minutes, longer than we had ever seen in over 50 years of studying wolves. We interpreted this behavior as an extreme example of an adult wolf harassing a maturing offspring, perhaps in prelude to the offspring?s dispersal.
Suggested Citation
Mech, L.D., Cluff, H.D., 2010, Prolonged intensive dominance behavior between gray wolves, Canis lupus: Canadian Field-Naturalist, v. 124, no. 3, p. 215-218.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Prolonged intensive dominance behavior between gray wolves, Canis lupus |
| Series title | Canadian Field-Naturalist |
| Volume | 124 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 2010 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club |
| Publisher location | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Contributing office(s) | Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 4 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Canadian Field-Naturalist |
| First page | 215 |
| Last page | 218 |
| Country | Canada |
| City | Eureka |
| Other Geospatial | Nunavut |