How do wolves mark their territory?
Wolves mark their territory using scent and sound. They urinate and defecate at various points throughout the territory, with increased frequency along the borders. They also scratch with all four paws next to these markings – this is not to make their paw-prints look bigger as someone suggested, but to add scent from glands between the toes and to draw attention to the scent with the scrape-marks. Howling is also a form of territoriality. A pack howling together is advertising its presence to other packs, informing them of their presence and that the territory is occupied. They also howl for other reasons, such as to reassemble if they have become scattered and, it’s thought, just because they enjoy it!
