Wild Activities > Wolf Activity

How do wolves say hello?

Have you seen dogs jump up to greet their owners, bark at strangers, or roll over when another dog approaches? Then you already know something about how wolves communicate. Dogs inherited most of their language from their ancestors, the wolves.

Wolves use three different languages:

  1. Sound - Howls, Barks, Whimpers, and Growls
  2. Special Scents - Including Scent Marking
  3. Body Language - Body Positions and Movements

See the body language or signal each wolf is using for each wolf message below. Look closely at the face, ears, tail and body. Each message can be used more than once.

Wolf Illustrations © Cary Hunkel

A. - Wolves say, "don't fight ... I'll obey" like this!

B. - Wolves say, "Hello" like this!

C. - Wolves say, "This is my territory" like this!

D. - Wolves say, "Stay Away" like this!

E. and A.- Wolves say, "don't fight ... I'll obey" like this!

F. - Wolves say, "I'm the Leader" like this!

G. - Wolves say, "Lets Play" like this!