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Species: Maned Wolf

Use: General activity

Authors: Stephanie Bestelmeyer, Colorado State University and Mike Kinsey, Denver Zoo

Methods: N/A

Publications/Presentations: Maned Wolf Husbandry Manual.

Behavioral States

Lying down: Mid-section of body in contact with the ground

Sit: Back part of body in contact with the ground, usually occurs when animal is scratching

Stand: Stationary upright position

Walk: Locomotion without in-air phase

Trot: Locomotion with in-air phase where hindlegs do not extend forward past the midline of the body

Run: Locomotion with in-air phase where hindlegs extend forward past the midline of the body

Pace: Walk back and forth over the same, small area

Eat: Consume solid food

Drink: Consume water or other liquid

Behavioral events

Solitary Behaviors

Self-groom: Lick own body

Scratch: Scratch own body with hindleg

Stalk: Ears erect and forward, body tense and either standing or moving slowly with attention focused forward

Dig: Scratch ground with one or both front paws to make a depression

Cache: Bury food in hole or cover food with substrate

Elimination/Marking

Leg lift: Urination with hindleg lifted off the ground

Squat: Urination using a squatting posture, sometimes one hindleg may be lifted slightly off the ground

Urinate over: Urinate in the same spot another wolf urinated or defecated within five minutes

Taste urine: Lick urine of another wolf, usually accompanied by flehmen

Flehmen: Teeth chatter; lips often pulled back

Straddle: Stand over and rub genitals on bush, grass, or other object

Face rub: Rub face or neck on a surface

Defecate: Self-explanatory

Friendly

Sniff: Investigate another wolf anywhere except the anogenital region

Sniff/lick anogenital region: Sniff or lick another wolfís anogenital region

Tail out: Tail lifted or held horizontally along line of back

Tail up: Tail raised above level of back

Play invitation: Stamp or bow on forelegs with ears up, facing other animal, or use foreleg to paw at shoulder of another animal

Play chase: Chase another animal, usually with ears forward and not piloerect

Open mouth: head and ears up, alert, mouth open with tongue out

Wrestle: Stand together on hind legs, front legs on otherís shoulders, usually silent and with open mouth

Present: Female stands or walks with anogenital region oriented to maleís face, back often slightly arched, base of tail deflected up or to the side

Pulse whine: Rapidly repeated soft whine

Attempt mount: Male attempts to mount female

Mount: Male mounts female and exhibits pelvic thrusts

Tie: Occurs after the mount and lasts a minimum of 60 seconds

Agonistic

Charge/lunge: Advance towards other wolf, piloerect, stiff forelegs, ears back

Growl: Growl at conspecific

Gape: Open mouth, ears back, oriented toward other wolf; often accompanies charge

Agonistic chase: Chase another animal, usually with ears back and piloerect

Piloerect pace: Walking with stilff forelegs, head down, piloerect, ears usually back, often moving parallel to other animal

Submissive crouch: Body in crouch or semi-crouch and oriented sideways to other animal, head rolled sideways while looking at other animal and often whining

Submissive whine: Long, high-pitched whine usually accompanying the submissive crouch

Bite: Snapping jaws shut

Bark: Short, loud, hoarse vocalization; not necessarily an agonistic behavior

Parental Behaviors

Regurgitate: Disgorge partly digested food to mate or pups

Regurgitation solicitation: Animal crouches low to the ground, approaches another wolf with ears flattened and tail wagging, and nudges the body or mouth area with the muzzle

Muzzle bite: Bite the muzzle of another animal, usually in response to a regurgitation solicitation

Nurse: Suckle; female may be lying down or standing

Groom: Lick part of body of pup or mate

Repetitive whine: Bouts of short, loud whines usually emitted by and adult wolf with a closed or slightly open mouth; often followed by nursing or regurgitation

Carry pup: Carry pup with mouth around pups neck or midsection

Attempt carry: Open mouth around pups neck or midsection; sometimes the pup is dragged but it is never lifted off the ground

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