Why do wolves howl at the moon?
Wolves, or canis lupus, are majestic and mysterious animals that man has studied for a long time now. Among the many unknowns surrounding this mammal, probably the most common is: why do wolves howl at the moon?
In this article, American Wolves will explain the meaning of this act, whether it is a simple legend or whether, on the contrary, there is a scientific explanation.
Read on to clear up any doubts you may have about this.
The Legend
There is an ancient legend that tells how, on a dark night, the moon came down to earth to discover its mysteries. But while she was playing among the trees, she became entangled in their branches. A wolf came to free her, and they spent the whole night telling stories to each other, playing and enjoying themselves.
The Moon fell in love with the spirit of the wolf, and in a selfish gesture, she stole his shadow to remember that night forever. Since then, the wolf has been howling at the moon to beg the moon to give him back his shadow.
Influence of the moon on living things
Along with magic and other beliefs that are difficult to explain, we know that the stars in the universe affect the earth to a greater or lesser extent. The moon has a real and physical influence on our planet.
For several generations, farmers, fishermen, and breeders have adapted their work to the phases of the moon. Why has this happened? The moon has a monthly cycle of 28 days during which it faithfully reproduces the annual movement of the sun. As the moon grows, night-time luminosity increases and with it the activity of living things. A succession of factors therefore occur that stimulate the wolf, factors that are very difficult for humans to detect, but which animals feel more intensely.
Why do wolves howl?
All animal lovers will agree that the wolf howl is a very striking and beautiful phenomenon. Wolves, like other animals, use phonetics to communicate with other specimens.
Each individual's howl is unique and special, allowing him to stay in contact with the members of his herd. In order for a single vocalization to reach several kilometers, the wolf must tilt its head back. This position is also one of the factors that gave rise to the belief that wolves howl at the moon.
What's more, wolf howling is contagious. These animals, with complex social structures and average intelligence levels, are sensitive to stress and many other emotions. Being away from other members of their herd, for example, can lead them to give great intensity to their howling in order to find them.
What do scientists think of it?
Scientists determine that wolves do not howl at the moon. However, it is possible that the earth's satellite may somehow influence the intensity and frequency of their howling during the full moon.
Their morphology and the nature of their social relationships have allowed this popular idea to spread. Far from resembling a fantastic fact, this phenomenon still has a magical aspect...