For centuries, the speculations about why wolves howl have piled up.
The most famous theory is the social cohesion hypothesis—emphasizing that howling brings pack members together and reinforces group unity.
For instance, researchers even observed that wolves in captivity sometimes howled when they were alone.
This suggested that there wasn’t such a strong correlation between physical distance and self-reported isolation.
A better explanation might include something about how wolves are territorial animals.
Whenever they meet eye-to-eye with another pack, they make sure that their presence is known.
A Wolf’s Call
The wolf’s call could also serve as a warning (or threat) to other packs that are considering entering the area.
It’s probable that wolves howl for a combination of these reasons.
A wolf’s howl may seem a bit susceptible—giving out a wolf’s or a pack’s location.
Studies have shown that where wolves howl, they are less likely to be killed by other animals.
This could be because predators tend to avoid places where they know other packs live.
Another theory is that the calls scare away other animals, who would otherwise prey on young wolves.
Wolf’s Howl Misconceptions
The wolf’s howl has long held an important place in folk tales and myths.
Many cultures attribute magical properties to this vocalization, believing that the howl of a wolf is an omen or harbinger of bad things to come.
In some cultures, humans even believed they could identify what was causing imminent death in their village by listening to a wolf’s howl.
It’s not entirely clear whether these misconceptions about wolves are directly responsible for their decline in population.
The wolf has certainly fallen out of favor since it was first encountered by European explorers.
Their vilification appears to have started around the same time that children’s literature began incorporating grisly depictions of them.
The Importance of Wolves
It’s important to recognize that wolves are not inherently vicious creatures.
Despite that belief, wolves are actually very social animals and are considered keystone species in their habitat.
The animal kingdom and the wild cannot afford to lose wolves as they are integral parts of the ecosystem.
The existence of wolves helps maintain a healthy population gradient, necessary for the survival of more than just wolves.
Wolves are animals that have long shown their knack for bravery, loyalty, and resourcefulness—among many other traits.
It seems that it may be time for society to start taking another look at this iconic animal.
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