#ethogram

What? To extend or wave the paw, using it to touch another or stroke the air in front of another.

Why? Pawing can be seen in many different contexts. These include but are not limited to greetings, courtship, eating and general deference/submission. However, it has also been seen to be used in an exaggerated, obnoxious fashion.

Both Kanti and Bicho raising their paw at each other.

It also seems to be a form of play or a way to pester another wolf into play. 

Timber putting her paw on Wotan. He was very patient with her.

One of our past wolves Dharma is a great example of this. She would often get Wotan in trouble from his brother Wolfgang, who was also her mate. It almost seemed like she enjoyed pestering Wotan, while Wotan did not appreciate it at all:

Dharma puts her foot on Wotan. Ordinarily "giving paw" is a submissive or friendly gesture, but it can also be used obnoxiously. Imagine shaking someone's hand REALLY HARD, or giving them a lot of hearty back slaps. (explanation courtesy of Monty Sloan)

Kiri, the wolf that lived until 19 years old at the park, displaying Airplane Ears

What? The wolf’s ears are held out to the side, inner surfaces down, like the wings of an airplane (Wolf Park first coined this term and the International Wolf Center uses it now)

When? Seen during grooming and solicitation to humans and older wolves but also can be seen when wolves are stalking or ambushing. 

Why? It likely indicates a shift in mood, according to Pat Goodmann. It’s something we will often keep an eye out for when in with the wolves because we can potentially work to distract them or engage them with another activity. As with a lot of behavior, this is one that doesn’t fit neatly into a box.

Denali (left) at the International Wolf Center displaying Airplane Ears as a result of Boltz’s Obnoxious Submission (source)

Fiona (left) displaying less exaggerated Airplane Ears

Heard some variety of vocalizations over the past few days so thought I might get these down in an ethogram that might be useful for referring to these calls.

Greet bleat = quiet, low-pitched, closed-mouthed, gentle and short “mmmmmm” used when goat sees me approach

Want call = open mouthed, low-pitched, moderately loud “merrr” used when goat sees me or wants something

Moan = frequent, closed-mouthed, moderately loud “mmmmmm” used when goat uncomfortable - can get progressively louder and higher pitched as discomfort increases

Vibrato call = extra vibrato, low, open-mouthed but quiet; my doe does this at the end of a wail when I arrive - maybe she’s pleased to see me! Alternatively she does a short bleat that sounds like “mep”. I have noted added vibrato in the help call. I have read it has a negative valence.

Help call or Isolation bleat = open-mouthed, high pitched, very loud and frequent “maaa maaa” when goat in trouble or isolated (PANIC) (high F0 and F0range)

Wail = long, loud, bleat, varying greatly in pitch - my doe does this when she wants my attention and wants feeding - originally I thought she was in pain and went running to her and found she was fine, so maybe she thinks it’s the way to get me; her son does it when she leaves him and he wants her to come back (high F0range)

Shout = very loud and rough holler, low pitch (sounds like it might hurt the throat (chaotic noise)) sometimes finalizing a long wail

Grumble = bucks make this low, variable, guttural noise to call a female; my doe also made it to her kid just after he was born and she wanted to him to come to her; if I make it to her she pricks up her ears and looks very confused but does not come