Since the introduction of our new female red wolf (1858), she and the male (1784) seem to be getting along well. I’ve noticed only one minor, and very brief, altercation and a few bared-teeth displays when food is present. This is normal behavior. If you’ve ever had more than one domestic pooch in your house at a time, you’ve probably seen the same or worse. The two wolves forage and even rest close to one another, a good sign. Breeding seasonRead more
Posts tagged: #1784
Pumpkins for the Wolves
The animal keepers here at the Museum often place objects in the animal exhibits as enrichment. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Behavior Scientific Advisory Group defines enrichment “as a dynamic process for enhancing animal environments within the context of the animals’ behavioral biology and natural history. Environmental changes are made with the goal of increasing the animal’s behavioral choices and drawing out their species-appropriate behaviors, thus enhancing animal welfare.” Enrichment can be anything from food or browse, wool, balls or otherRead more
Running with the Wolves
After five months of watching our female red wolf (1794) behaving with raw aggression towards our male (1784), watching her go through estrous with no change in her attitude towards the male, indeed being more aggressive at his approaches, and watching our male walk around the enclosure with his head hung low, our female has apparently had a change of heart. Anthropomorphic disclaimer notice. On Saturday morning, close to noon, both wolves were seen splashing around in the water,Read more
A warm winter day
After several rainy days at the beginning of the week, the past few days have been warm and sunny, days conducive to rest and relaxation. While over at the Red Wolf Exhibit… There’s nothing like a warm winter day to stretch out and soak up some sun. Read more
Sleep. Very important.
We all need sleep and red wolves are no exception. Our female red wolf’s favorite sleeping spot is behind the mound of dirt directly in front of the Red Wolf Overlook. Occasionally, she’ll rest slightly to the right of the backside of the mound. That’s where I found her for the photo above. Her sleep, as with most wild creatures, is rarely so deep as to not be alert to what’s going on around her. Her ears are perkedRead more
Finding Red Wolf
If you’re having trouble finding the red wolves, I’m here to help you. If you arrive in the morning, say around 10:30 or 11:00 AM, you might see both male and female wolf searching about the enclosure for food left out for them by the animal keepers. If you come later in the day you may have to search for them. Although they may be up and about at any time during the day, they often relax during the midRead more