While not all of us can say that we’ve seen a wolf, most of us have heard its howl. And though a wolf’s howl often has ominous connotations, the behaviour is actually a form of social bonding.
It also helps specific groups keep track of one another across long distances, since wolves often hunt over many miles and can end up scattered. According to scientists at the Wolf Science Center and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, wolves howl out of affection for a missing pack mate. So when a pack lets loose, it’s actually a joyous occasion.
Because the howl is such a critical social skill, it’s very important for wolf pups to learn the behaviour early. This tiny pack of pups waste no time developing their social skills, treating a driver in the James Bay region of Northern Quebec to a once-in-a-lifetime show—and an adorable one at that.
It is fortunate that the driver is safely inside the car, as we can assume the pups mother is nearby. While wolves are not naturally aggressive toward people, they are wary of them, and a mother would naturally be very protective of her little ones.
