2021/11/24 by Jackie N. Weir, Jennifer N. Schneider, Rita E. Anderson · 2 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Psychology · #Aggression #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior #Biology #Canis #Communication #Developmental psychology #Ecology #Primate Behavior and Ecology #Prosocial behavior #Psychology #Range (aeronautics) #Social psychology
paper · doi:10.1163/1568539x-bja10140
published in Behaviour 159(6), 501-535 (Brill)
openalex publication_date 2021/11/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
Abstract Wolves ( Canis lupus ) frequently use the close-range squeaking vocalization, a soft, multi-unit, high-pitched tonal vocalisation. We examined the social and movement contexts of the occurrence and acoustic characteristics of squeaking from videotapes of pack-reared, pack-living captive wolves living in semi-natural conditions at the Canadian Centre for Wolf Research over a three-year period. We only examined squeaking vocalisations for which the sender and potential receiver(s) could be determined. Wolves squeaked in many contexts, especially when approaching other wolves in prosocial and food contexts. Some wolves squeaked more than others. Acoustically, squeaking vocalisations were individually identifiable, primarily through frequency characteristics. Contextual use suggests that squeaking conveys the friendly motivation of an approaching wolf and in aggressive situations, a motivation to defuse or decrease aggression. This close-range vocalisation may play an important role in controlling and coordinating social interactions within the pack.