Wolves or canis lupus are majestic animals and full of mystery that man has studied for generations. Among many of the unknowns that surround this mammal, there is one that is perhaps the most common, Why do wolves howl at the moon?
In this article on our site we will give you some clues about the meaning of this act and we will decide with you if it is a simple legend or if there is a scientific explanation instead.
Resolve your question below:
The legend
There is an ancient legend that tells how on a dark night, the Moon descended to earth to discover its mysteries. But while playing among the trees, the moon became entangled with her branches. It was a wolf who freed her, and throughout the night, the moon and the wolf shared stories, games and fun.
The Moon fell in love with the spirit of the wolf, and in a fit of selfishness she took her shadow to remember that night forever. Since then, the wolf howls at the Moon, asking her to please give her shadow back.
The influence of the moon on living beings
Parallel to magic and other beliefs that are difficult to explain, we know that the earth is affected to a greater or lesser extent by the stars found in the universe. There is a real and physical influence between the satellite and our planet.
For generations, farmers, fishermen and ranchers have conveniently adapted their work according to the phase of the moon. Why? The moon has a periodic monthly movement of 28 days in which it exactly reproduces the annual movement of the sun. During the waxing moon, night luminosity increases and therefore the activity of living beings. Thus, a chain of factors is produced that stimulate the wolf, factors that are very difficult for us humans to detect, but that animals feel more intensely.
Why do wolves howl?
Any animal lover will agree that the wolf's howl is a very impressive and beautiful phenomenon at the same time. Wolves, like other animals, use phonetics to communicate with other individuals.
The howl is unique and particular to each individual, helping it to stay in contact with the members of its pack. For a single call to reach miles, the wolf must bend its neck upward. This position is also one of the factors that has led to the phrase: "wolves howl at the moon".
Also, the wolf's howl is contagious. Having complex social structures and a medium level of intelligence, they are susceptible to stress and many other emotions. Being away from other members of their pack, for example, can lead to a significant intensity of their howling to achieve a reunion.
Scientists determine that wolves don't howl at the moon but it is possible thatthe satellite influences in some way so that they howl with greater intensity and frequency at full moon.
The morphology and the very nature of their social relationships have led to this idea so popular and widespread that, far from seeming like a fantastic fact, it still seems magical to us…
Discover more about the wolf in…
- The Fauna of the Arctic Tundra
- Wolf feeding
- Why do the dogs howl
