Key observations of flexed-leg urination in the free-ranging Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)

Flexed-leg urination (FLU) in female Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) has been little studied in the wild. Captive females in packs do not exhibit FLU unless they are both mature and dominant to an associate female, but these characteristics have not been confirmed in free-ranging wolves. We present observ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Canadian Field-Naturalist
Main Authors: Mech, David, McIntyre, Rick
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club 2022
Subjects:
Behaviour
Canis lupus
flexed-leg urination
Gray Wolf
pair bonding
scent-marking
territoriality
Yellowstone
gray wolf
Online Access:https://www.canadianfieldnaturalist.ca/index.php/cfn/article/view/2781
https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v136i1.2781
Description
Summary:Flexed-leg urination (FLU) in female Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) has been little studied in the wild. Captive females in packs do not exhibit FLU unless they are both mature and dominant to an associate female, but these characteristics have not been confirmed in free-ranging wolves. We present observations of wolves in Yellowstone National Park that accord with those of wolves in captivity, extend our knowledge of FLU in Gray Wolf, pose additional questions about it, and suggest new areas of study to better understand it.

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