NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Wolf Ecology and Prey Relationships on Isle Royale

Description of sexual behavior, excluding actual copulation, observed among Isle Royale wolves. Number of times observed in parentheses.

Mounting (14). A wolf approaches from behind and clasps its partner around the mid-section with its front legs immediately in front of the partner's hind legs. Although females at Brookfield occasionally mounted males in similar fashion, I have not confirmed this on Isle Royale. Among the alpha pairs, females were never observed mounting males. This is of course, a preliminary to actual copulation.

Riding up (3). A wolf places both front feet on the back or rump of a conspecific and raises itself up, sometimes straightening its front legs. Both sexes showed this behavior during courtship, and it frequently precedes mounting of females by males. Preliminary to mounting, the wolf places its front paws on the back of its partner in a riding-up movement, then moves its front feet toward the rear of its. partner, finally clasping the partner as in mounting.

Play-soliciting (11). Identical to behavior of a playful dog. The play-soliciting wolf shows exaggerated ambivalent approach-withdrawal behavior, running up to its partner and lowering its forequarters to the ground, then jerks its head to one side and runs off, inviting chase. Usually the ears of such an animal are somewhat flattened, and often a "play face" or "play grin" is exhibited, in which the mouth is open and the tongue hangs out, as in panting. This is often followed by typical play behavior, with much nipping and biting about the scruff of the neck, wrestling with interlocked front legs, and "jaw-wrestling" with open mouths.

Chinning (2). The underside of the lower jaw is placed on the back, scruff, or rump of another animal, while usually standing perpendicular to the other animal.

Genital examination (17). This was the most common form of courtship behavior recorded in the study. A male approaches a female and sniffs and examines her genital area, sometimes licking. The odor of a female in estrus is very characteristic and noticeably stimulates male sexual behavior (Schenkel 1947). Genital examination is possible only if there is mutual response in the female, in which case the female averts her tail.

Greeting (12). Elements of greeting behavior, when seen in conjunction with other courtship behavior, were considered to be an integral part of the pair-bond formation and maintenance. Tail-wagging, muzzle-licking, and nose-to-nose contact was most common and often occurred during play between a bonded male and female. This type of greeting behavior is similar to active submission.

Body contact (3). When traveling, a pair often trotted side-by-side, with frequent contact. Body "slams." against the hip and shoulder are occasionally observed during play between mates. When the pack rests, a mated pair will usually lie down next to each other, although this was not tallied as courtship behavior.

Pawing (3). This was infrequently seen and usually functioned as an attention-getting device when the mate being pawed was resting or engaged in other activity, such as feeding.