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USGS · 1001715

Standing over and hugging in wild wolves

L. David Mech
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Abstract

During six summers, I observed standing over (SO) and hugging in a pack of wild Wolves (Canis lupus) habituated to me. In SO, one Wolf positions its groin above a recumbent Wolf's nose. I observed SO among all yearling and older Wolves for 1-180 seconds ( X? = 69 ¨± 46 S.D.; N = 16 ). SO appeared to be primarily female-oriented and may inform each Wolf of the reproductive status of the other. I observed hugging five times and only during years when food competition was minimal.

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L. David Mech. 2001. Standing over and hugging in wild wolves. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/1001715

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