Wolves are very social creatures. They survive by sharing knowledge with one another. There are probably a few young pups that are hard headed at first, but they get over that. There may be times when the wolf is the solemn silhouette in the setting sun, but if it isn’t hunting, it’s playing. Wolves continue to play into old age. They look out for the family by chasing away coyotes, foxes and other predators that might try to share in the kill. Coyotes will sometimes trail wolves from a distance to scavenge their leftovers.
Horror movies have done the wolves no favors in presenting the animal as a man killer who attacks for no reason or at the command of its vampire master. Wolves are intelligent creatures who avoid human settlements. What people often think is a wolf is usually a coyote. There are several types of wolves with the larger appearing more dog-like and around the size of a German Shepherd. The smaller wolf is more the size of a coyote and can have fox coloring.
Dogs are the descendants of the gray wolf, which explains the similarities. Wolves aren’t pets. Scientists used both dogs and wolves together in a problem-solving experiment that rewarded the animal with food. The wolves were tireless in their efforts to obtain food, which they did, while the dog made an initial attempt, them looked to the scientist to solve the issue.
What can the wolf teach us?
Wolves fight very little among the pack. They know when to stand their ground and when to walk away. They usually walk away. They are a big one to avoid trouble. So, it’s a shame when ranchers go on wolf hunts convinced the wolf is the culprit when it comes to disappearing chickens or a downed cow. It’s not to say a wolf wouldn’t bring down a sick or dying cow, but they have a natural caution around humans.
Wolves are an important part of the eco-system. When they were taken out of the picture in Yellowstone, the deer population grew unchecked and overgrazed the land. When they returned back to Yellowstone, not only did the vegetation recover, but other species began to return to the park including otters and song birds.
Now, we know the wolves are not loners or alphas fighting to the death. They are caring, intelligent, family-oriented animals who also happen to be predators.
If you dream of wolves, in certain cultures it can mean danger and death. But now knowing what you do now, it can be an invitation to socialize and play more.
Wolf Connections
Caution
Eco-system/nature
Family
Freedom
Instincts
Intelligence
Intuition
Noble
Playful
Power
Problem solvers
Shared knowledge
Stealth
Wisdom