A wolf’s cry is known by several different names depending on the sound it is making. Wolves use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with each other and express different emotions. Some of the most common wolf cries are howling, whimpering, growling, and barking.
Howling
The most iconic and well-known wolf cry is the howl. Wolf howls serve several purposes in the wild. Howling helps wolf packs communicate over long distances, announcing location, assembling pack members for a hunt, reinforcing social bonds, and defending territory. The howl is a long, mournful, drawn-out vocalization that often starts low and rises in pitch. It usually lasts from 3 to 11 seconds. Howling most often occurs at dawn and dusk when wolves are active. It can be heard for miles across the landscape. Wolves will howl alone or together in a chorus. Group howling helps the pack come together and may intimidate rival packs. Howling also helps separated pups and adults find their way back to the pack. In summary, the howl is the wolf’s most recognizable vocalization and serves essential communication functions.
Reasons Wolves Howl
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Locate pack members | Howling allows wolves to find each other over long distances when out of sight |
| Bonding | Group howling reinforces social ties between pack members |
| Territory | Howling warns rival packs they are encroaching on claimed land |
| Gather for hunts | Howling calls wolves together to coordinate hunts |
Whimpering
Wolves also communicate with whimpers and whines. These are high-pitched, nasally vocalizations often made with the mouth closed. Wolves whimper and whine for a few different reasons. Pups will whimper and whine to get the attention of adults in the pack. All wolves, including adults, may whimper and whine when greetings each other as a submissive gesture. Wolves also whimper and whine when hurt, sick, stressed or afraid. So whimpering communicates things like distress, anxiety, submission and the need for comfort and care. It is a close-range vocalization, not intended to be heard over long distances. Overall, whimpering and whining convey vulnerability and seek support and reassurance from fellow pack members.
Growling
Growling is another key vocalization in a wolf’s repertoire. As you would expect, growls communicate aggression and a warning. Wolves growl to claim territory and establish dominance. It signals potential conflict and a willingness to defend. Growling often occurs together with teeth baring. It is a low, guttural rumbling sound that can measure 80 to 240 Hertz. Growling serves as an important signal to prevent violence. Other wolves recognize the growl as a threat and usually submit. Actual fighting rarely needs to occur as long as the aggressive messaging of the growl is heeded. Growling also helps establish hierarchy in the pack. The alpha male and female use growling to display authority and reinforce rank. Overall, the growl is the wolf’s way of establishing power and settling disputes while avoiding direct combat.
Barking
Wolves do not typically bark like domestic dogs. Barking is not a primary form of communication in the wild. However, wolves are known to bark in some specific situations. Wolf pups will often bark when playing with each other. They make a short, loud bark to invite play and signal a playful attitude. Adult wolves may also bark to warn off threats. Barking likely originated as an alarm signal, alerting pack members of danger. The bark conveys urgency and immediate action needed. Unlike a growl, a bark is typically not an aggressive signal, just a very clear warning. Studies have shown wolves bark to warn each other of oncoming cattle, unknown intruders, and rival packs in disputed territory. So barking functions primarily as an alarm sound to take notice of an encroaching threat. It is a rare vocalization from an adult wolf.
Conclusion
To summarize, wolves have a range of vocalizations used for intra-pack communication. The various cries can signal location, assembly, aggression, alarm, care, submission, and more. Howling is the iconic long-range call to locate and assemble the pack. Whimpering communicates distress and seeks comfort. Growling asserts dominance and threatening intent. Barking serves as an urgent warning signal of danger. Each cry developed evolutionarily to meet the needs of wolf social structure and group survival. So their cries allow wolves to effectively coordinate, cooperate, contend, and survive together as highly social creatures.