Wolves 101 | Nat Geo Wild

With their piercing looks and spine-tingling howls, wolves inspire both adoration and controversy around the world. Find out how many wolf species exist, the characteristics that make each wolf's howl unique, and how the wolf population in the continental United States nearly became extinct.
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Wolves 101 | Nat Geo Wild
• Wolves 101 | Nat Geo Wild
Nat Geo Wild
/ natgeowild

[@NatGeoWild]

Much like fingerprints on humans, howls are distinct to each wolf. What are your thoughts on these unique creatures?

[@ronnienagy1901]

Can You Make a Video of Hammerhead Sharks 101.

[@gdwolf7]

May they live free as they always have forever.

[@gdwolf7]

@@ronnienagy1901 my favourite shark!

[@lovelylipbonesouwwwwwwwolv2198]

Nat Geo WILD well they are my favorite animal. Wolves 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺😍🐺🐺🐺ooooooouuuuuuww

[@jenniferloving9054]

I like wolves! They are beautiful, fascinating creatures.

[@annbolyn4910]

Wolves are beautiful creatures. Wild, clever, family oriented. They're a part of our land and history.

[@BigBoiRedFrog]

I love them to 🐺

[@BigBoiRedFrog]

I love them to 🐺

[@myronhodes8039]

Mee too!🐺

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Born 1982 Higher Chinese

[@abelmantor7557]

I'm glad they're not extinct. They're my favorite animals🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

[@thefnafguy4523]

Same

[@sashabellor4344]

yass

[@gerrard.butar2]

They never extinct(maybe)

[@leoadalia5342]

Mine too

[@bern9642]

Well dogs are wolves too, so they aren't going extinct

[@justinsane11]

For people questioning the legitimacy of naming wolf classes: the studies done on wolves when describing behavior was with captive wolves with no relation to one another, they were all strangers. It was lord of the flies where eventually a wolf would declare itself as leader. In the wild, wolf pack structures are like humans. You have parents and the kids. There are no alphas, betas, omegas etc. There is no pecking order in the wild, the parents oversee everything and often give first dibs to smaller pups on small game. Every structure is different, but the mannerisms and constant behavioral checks are no different than an obstinate teenager telling their parents NO.

[@Rollercoaster555]

Well said thank you much

[@cookieenthusiast6213]

Thank you for adding this. The researcher that started this has spent the rest of his career trying to undo the whole Alpha myth. It is how you say, a family.

[@ashtarts]

Thank you for clarifying. I was like no they don’t

[@ChloePricesNumberOneSimp]

*Can tear me to shreds in less than a minute* My stupid ape brain: I must pet.

[@amandabitting8780]

Not really only 2 people have been killed in a century by wolves they are fairly docile but they are wild

[@adamfurey7320]

@@amandabitting8780 yes but they are capable of doing it

[@Phewwpeww]

And that is why you have dogs now

[@TheKorkak]

@@adamfurey7320 well as a human I am capable of killing anything so we humans must be destroyed. İt's the same thing that what mankind did to animals

[@jhamanrai]

Me too buddy, me too

[@iainmayfield8519]

Wolves are noble creatures and they deserve to live among us!✊🐺❤

[@CrashieTunez]

TRUTH Also AMONGGUS

[@testuser12]

Sus

[@coolmoji1001]

amogus sus

[@thebeginningchq9689]

Amongus...

[@annien.1727]

Yeah!💖🐺

[@wolfy_crystal3605]

I love wolves!!!! They are my favorite animal.

[@user-bq1jr3xn7o]

Same!

[@ninjabaconpro144]

Mine is grizzly bear

[@gabriellucas5494]

Mine are big cats

[@1101dana]

Same

[@xxstarymoony_badgirlxx1268]

i love wolves too there are cute and my fav. animal have a nice day :)

[@johnathonlivingston7573]

“The tiger and lion may be more powerful, but the wolf doesn’t perform in the circus.”

[@TXMB-C-OPS]

I love wolves but what does it mean to the wolf

[@DC-zi6se]

Elephant, Hippo, Rhino, Bear, Crocodile all perform in circus. They're more powerful than Lion and Tiger.

[@fatmademirci2345]

And that is why national animal of Turkey is Wolf🇹🇷🐺

[@gachaamazing8574]

Wolfs are stronger than tigers we just didn't know and they are so cute

[@TXMB-C-OPS]

@@gachaamazing8574 that is soo fking true wolves and tigers dnt fight tho ur true im wit u ur my friend

[@chperezjr]

Wolves are majestic creatures. Love them

[@planemod8399]

However diehard furry wolfaboos aren't

[@n4mel3ssw0lf8]

@@planemod8399 Correct

[@pkoku6256]

weren't "alphas" just mother and father? like humans they don't procreate with family members and oldest siblings have the most responsibilities.

[@winstonlewis5630]

@Operation Wolf Blood they are many scenarios where this isn't the case

[@vivanyatodd5036]

In some packs, alphas could also rules their siblings. And sometimes lone wolves join in a pack. Although from many wolf documentaries I've seen, the actual dynamics within a pack is vary. In some packs, betas also had mate and procreate. In other, only alphas could have pups, in another pack, some of the alpha's daughters bearing pup with a lone wolf from next door teritorry

[@winstonlewis5630]

Vivanya Todd yea the cookie cutter mom and pop doesn’t always happen that’s why most researchers still use alpha

[@ignightroad]

Yes, the "alphas" are usually the parents/grandparents, and wolves interbreed regularly with their cousins

[@evandugas7888]

There has been studies on this. Artificial packs tend to form a "Alpha" type structure. but with natural wolf packs this is not the case

[@nheilramirez4342]

2:40 THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL HOWL 😍👌🏻

[@tdws5754]

Yep

[@shaesanes3700]

The howls are the best thing I could hear on earth

[@Trijem]

AyooOooo

[@gabbydeloreann]

i’ve never heard one in person but i want to so badly.

[@sumuqh]

And when you're in the jungle & you hear that, you'd wish you were deaf.

[@abishai3234]

It's worth mentioning, that reintroduction of wolves in certain areas has actually improved the quality of wilderness and forests. Apex predators force other species to move around more frequently, preventing them from settling and stripping the forest out of resources. It promotes an equal spread of animals in the wilderness, thus reinforcing the overall health of the forests. Lynx is also great at regulating spread of wildlife, to the point that their reintroduction in the balkans actually brought back some forests from the brink of desertification.

[@otabekabduraimov5912]

love to see that there are still lots of people who love the nature and amazed by it

[@g3n3ral1nsanity5]

Wolves in my opinion are one of the most unique and amazing animals on the planet we all share

[@g3n3ral1nsanity5]

@@GreenScottyHW what an ancient lesson I learned when I heard that story as a toddler

[@Ageofmadness1989]

Whoever does not know wolves and their methods of killing will believe that they are loyal and noble nope then the wolf has surpassed the hyena and the wild dog in its brutality and lack of mercy and pity for its prey Does it deserve this respect? It is also not tamed especially tundra wolves which have the strongest jaws in the canids

[@crystalgayle3993]

Im so lucky to live in an area where I can sit outside and hear their beautiful howling sometimes! You definitely hear them much more than you ever see them though! Very elusive here in Northern Michigan.

[@orioninthematrix]

Aww, lucky indeed

[@sarscov9854]

MAGA 2024

[@orioninthematrix]

Sanaol

[@greatgreenguild3303]

Michigan gang

[@tonym3598]

i know where im moving to

[@whiteflowerpig529]

The most beautiful animals on this planet! My soul!

[@OutlawzNT]

@@madhavilanka7787 u dont know what u talking about, coming round here wanting no beef... Come on, where u at??

[@madhavilanka7787]

Okay I am just going to delete my comment sorry if it was rude 😅

[@gagoochi2292]

Real wolf packs in the wild are literally families with the "alphas" being the parents and the rest of the pack being their pups. The thing about pack hierarchies only applies to wolves in captivity.

[@MyBodyIsReggie1]

Not entirely true, there are instances in which some families will adopt in one or more "immigrant" wolves and there are even some rare occasions in which several families will form a single pack, in which cases the top wolf can be considered by all intents and purposes the alpha.

[@gagoochi2292]

@@MyBodyIsReggie1 Huh, I didn't know that. That's really neat! :0

[@Sam-zt2sj]

Wolves are everyone’s spirit animal, it can be symbolic of strength, fierce, bravery, courage, and passion etc. Stay Strong my friend👊🐺

[@ES11777]

Not *everyone* has a soul beautiful enough to have a wolf as their spirit animal

[@TiffWaffles]

The most interesting thing to know about wolves and their subspecies (including the domestic dog) is that there is little genetic variation between them. I just got finished a sequencing lab and had to put my sequence into BLAST to find out what species of animal I had for my mystery meat lab. I had to go with common sense as each wolf subspecies has very similar DNA. We didn't get a wolf from Europe (Canis lupus lupus) or a domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) or a wolf from Greenland (Canis lupus orion), etc. I had to go through each sequence and find a wolf species from North America. I had to choose the grey wolf, which is the Canis lupus. They are magnificent animals with a very strong sense of family and loyalty. It's sad to see that the stereotypes of the wolves still exist and that more people are scared of them, but I am glad to see that in areas where wolves were wiped out, that they are being reintroduced. For example in parts of the United States and in Europe.

[@hyperx72]

You're a geneticist?

[@joshlisti3420]

lmao chihuahuas are wolves 🤩🤩

[@fadedghost1704]

They're usually more scared of you

[@fadedghost1704]

@@joshlisti3420 that's a rat

[@adrian16281]

Of course people are afraid of them. It's our instincts as primates to fear canines

[@brokentombot]

Wolves 101. Never thought I needed this class but glad I attended. Thanks Nat Geo!

[@bsybilly]

seeing wolf howl reminds me thinking my pet dog crying for food LOL

[@gachaamazing8574]

Wolfs are dogs just stronger

[@n4mel3ssw0lf8]

@@gachaamazing8574 wolves are dogs ancestors.

[@somebodyontheinternet1127]

@@gachaamazing8574 Dogs are wolves that we have domesticated, there are different types of dogs with different characteristics, called breeds, some dogs can do some jobs, for example drug sniffer dogs, police dogs, guard dogs, sled pulling dogs, hunting dogs and also anti tank weapons, although, they don’t do that last part well

[@rolaine733]

The wolves right at the end were beautiful. 🖤

[@JeSsE10mCcOy11]

Wolves are my spirit animals

[@mattywolfbro7854]

Same

[@user-bq1jr3xn7o]

Same

[@Syrexii.108]

Same

[@Kssav]

Same

[@paris5663]

Im not a wolf but I am a dog. So Im basically related to yall sort of..

[@stellafanders]

1:43 a stag in the middle of a wolf pack... *Looks to the marauders, especially Remus and James*

[@stellafanders]

Wow, I am surprised that 6 people already liked this comment. It gives me hope that I am not the only one who came here because of the Marauders

[@helenanevrayeva]

@@stellafanders It's for research purposes :D

[@stellafanders]

@@helenanevrayeva what specific researches?

[@fernie51296]

We should all be grateful for early conservation efforts done to protect these animals. We were so close to living in a world without wolves. We should keep this in mind when scientists sound the alarm on other species.

[@nickgehr6916]

STOP CROSSBREEDING WOLVES AND DOGS

[@minusx31]

Zenn Lozanno “Transgender” is the popular thing now in america...sad you have to meet a girl and ask her birth gender to be sure Kelly wasnt a Kevin at one point...

[@Zixxthify]

@@minusx31 lmao

[@etherallullaby5482]

@@minusx31 lol

[@SpockLover27]

@@minusx31 It is sad it's become a trend, though I'm not sure what this comment has to do with what the op said.

[@user-bq1jr3xn7o]

I know we need to stop this

[@brucemyers5894]

The world just wouldn't be the same without wolves.. they are such beautiful creatures!

[@urmamafarting8101]

I am honored by the fact that these creatures live in my country.

[@MaeManuel1]

Little Howler and the Wild Kratts have inspired me to love wolves when I first watched Wild Kratts in 2013. By the way, did you know that a wolf pup can howl when he is 3 weeks old?

[@Pumpkintiti]

WOLVES IS ONE OF MANY FAVORITE SPECIES OUT THERE. NEED TO make long documentary about "Wolves"

[@gachaamazing8574]

My favorite type of wolf is the night wolf but i love all wolfs the same way

[@nitiishan6620]

Wolves are my fav animal! And I’m glad they are not extinct and some of this I did not know. I love ur guys channel keep it up!

[@samanthaschol4529]

Gray wolves are very common up here in Alaska they are actually the main type of wool that you’ll find up here.

[@thetrollslayer3716]

Samantha, did you ever go to schol?

[@a-puzzle_4ever]

Wolves 🐺 are highly smart. Their intellect may be found in communication, and problem-solving. I love the way their mind works.

[@Darkalice1028]

Wolves and corvids my absolute favorite beings ❤❤❤ them so much

[@magicwolf5516]

I love wolfs . They're so beautiful.

[@maxkazzora4234]

Absolutely amazing animals. May they be around long after I’m gone. 🙏🙏👍🌻👏

[@AzlianaLyana]

Aww... What a cute lil wolf pup. *Bares fangs... NOPE. ABORT. Nice one NG. Is this wolf week?

[@Pack-ig7st]

I LOVE WOLVES

[@kamrulahsan06]

Same expression. lol

[@wolfquestidiot2503]

Azliana Lyana Omg like whatever video I watch that has to do with animals I always find you in the comments lol

[@kayrao.862]

Wolf QuestIdiot exactly

[@gachaamazing8574]

Wolfls are amazing 😊

[@harutokki]

0:07 not legoshi and louise arguing again 🙄✋

[@tengiz]

For the Turks, Gray wolves are holy animals.

[@yalnzcaallah4540]

🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🐺🐺🐺

[@ilikekids]

@@yalnzcaallah4540 army 💪

[@olafharoldsonnii4713]

@Bootlegofbootleg Eminem Byzantine?

[@forevermarked5826]

Good because they are Holy! I dont know how there are men that hunt them. I'm from USA. And I know people hunt them. Its discusting. I better not ever hear someone talking about hunting them in front of me, I'll throw hands. I'm legit laying down right now with a Wolf Blanket wrapped around me lol. Love them

[@tdws5754]

Yep

[@wendybombril]

my spirit animal.. sometimes i want to go to yellowstone in wolf sanctuary but so far away and need a lot of money to travel there :(

[@madhavilanka7787]

I want to go to a tiger reserve here in India.

[@sugarthedogyt3573]

I want a wolf here in U.S.A

[@Mr_Makina]

@@sugarthedogyt3573 you can own wold dogs but if you want something less volatile, just get a large German shepherd... mines is 60kg and is absolutely harmless but they need a lot of walks and attention. Its not just something you can ignore like a small dog... i shouldn't even suggest owning a wolf dog because my sister had one, she was a beautiful dog crossed with GSD but too temperamental, too many requirements and that was someone who owned large dogs for 15 years.

[@davidtorazzi7650]

Just try not to be eaten haha They're still WILD ANIMALS and are dangerous... which is sad 'cause I want to hug and pet them too :(

[@gachaamazing8574]

My soul animal is a wolf

[@livinginyourmagicshop3858]

After reading so many werewolf book im so in love with wolf they look so adorable, i wanna pet them

[@Adityanr96]

I like how net geo produce quality content! Information is crisp and clear! ❤️🔥

[@tatxletoco7965]

This was really great video not just because wolves are my favorite but I hot to learn more about howls packs and size and species. And all the wolves look cool and cute

[@jacobv3396]

Well... you are a timber wolf so you do have a bias.

[@barwryofficials6271]

How beautiful gorgeous lovely sound quality is very mix

[@sambhavanshivan5457]

These creatures were the first that we socialized with

[@coronacienfe5013]

They know how to find, love those creatures for there mirror nature ❤

[@VilmarCoelho]

I'm in Brazil, I love this channel.

[@jhankyleagullo7789]

I wish I'll see a wolf once in my whole life :(

[@savethewolves8120]

You can go to a wolf Sanctuary… Or even Yellowstone

[@auhsojacosta1672]

Yes, just be sure that the wolves don’t wish the same thing to you.

[@jhankyleagullo7789]

@@auhsojacosta1672 lol true

[@topg2820]

Hope you do soon!

[@nqnguyen2008]

I love their faces and howls They cute 👇🏻 I don’t care if they attack hooman :)

[@krishkar99]

Thank you for letting me see National Geographic.

[@infernowolf1850]

Such beautiful creatures

[@_kaeden]

Wolves. Now my favorite animal.

[@herrolkim]

Doggo loves bones. Woof!

[@ThatisnotHair]

Can't believe my chihuahua is actually a wolf in disguise

[@xxnightpackalphaxx1166]

I really wanted to learn something new. I want to learn about the hierarchy, hunting technicks, relationships, pups, Territories, Battles between rival wolves, what’s stereotyped about wolves, stuff like that. No one ever talks about any of that, or they just don’t go deeper. Wolves are unique and different to how people explain them. They are complex and there ways of living is so fascinating. I desperately want to know more but I can’t find any new information that’s interesting and distinctive to wolves.

[@angellicaenad6986]

Madagas Car - Meme 73

[@angellicaenad6986]

@Meme City Brave Bunnies and Lingokids Coffin Dance Mashup

[@papagriz33]

This is my dog's favorite video on KZbin.

[@JNL37Dyxce5]

I have animals look😍👀☺

[@andizgarta6773]

❤I love wolves and people who love wolves! 🐺❤🌙🌙🐺❤

[@mikaildeniz1673]

I am also fan of the all wolves 🐺

[@gachaamazing8574]

Wolfs are amazing and kind strong and wonderful animals i love them so much

[@la4life181991]

Smart amazing Creatures! I love them so much,, they have great communication with one another. ❤

[@sigoliawolfcountry4229]

THANK YOU

[@SteveKrull]

Great episode, still on my dream list to photograph wolves in the wild!

[@leslieholmes9706]

Funny every time I'm in the woods and Howl I always get a reply back beautiful creatures .!!.

[@docasbroadway9049]

Yes you are right and I love it too

[@juliof970]

3:49, that is a poster shot of a wolf. Nice capture.

[@openroadandoutdoors9716]

good stuff here, i'm learning all the time

[@animalloveraliciameraz9415]

Wolves are such Beautiful animals,Dogs and Wolves are my favorite animals,okay Lions,Tigers, Panthers,etc😁😁 Many longer video's of them please 👏👏👍❤😚😎

[@thewolfpack8373]

I love wolves there so cute:)

[@tammyrhemann3808]

I grew up on a ranch and hear the wolves howling. Beautiful music

[@hamadino]

I'm playing a game where you can tame wild animals including wolves, lions, and leopards. While the last two are more powerful and useful for protection against enemies, I just can't help but go for the wolf even though he keeps dying in combat and I have to find another one. But it's just so fun having him as my companion and imagining it to be real.

[@larrylongjr.5524]

I love all breeds of dogs domestic and wild including the wolf!

[@gachaamazing8574]

I love night wolfs and also normal wolfs

[@ilikewafflesalot9026]

kinda weird how they went from deadly predator to loving house pets

[@dragonsking7148]

I LOVE THEM

[@mumbledjumbledxxxxxxxxxxdy1271]

Love ❤Wolves

[@ronnienagy1901]

Wolves are Also my Favorite Animals, when I Grow Up, I Will Rescue Them Before They Became Extinct. Here's the Hint, The World Needs Wolves So They Could Hunt Their Favorite Prey Like Elk, and if the Wolves Went Extinct, The Elks Will Eat A Lot Of Trees And Branches, If The Elks Eat A Lot Of Trees And Branches, Creatures Like Birds Can't Build Their Nest, So That's Why The World Needs Wolves To Keep Them Healthy And Survived. I Do Know About Wolves. 🐺

[@jacco4418]

1 elk dont eat whole trees . 2 if one species gets to big they are mostly held in control by disease and starvation. 3 there are still human hunters to keep te population under controll . Anyway wolves are stil important in the ecosystem killing the weak animals and leaving the strong ones to breed and making the whole population stronger

[@jacco4418]

Anyway keep learning kid they are very interesting animals and it is much fun learning about them :)

[@ronnienagy1901]

Thank You Jacco Haasnoot, 😊

[@madhavilanka7787]

Wolves aren't endangered except the Indian wolf and a few others.

[@lifeisajoke5997]

Great vid!!

[@DRAGONIAN-nm4by]

pretty friggin cool dude please make more of these videos

[@wolflover0436]

Their so majestic

[@chrisrussell735]

My dog, a German Shepherd/Japanese Akita, makes very similar sounds to the Wolf specie. I’m in admiration of these beautiful, natural creatures : thank God for the program that brought them back into a natural habitat & encourage breeding. JaneR

[@Chelsea200020]

The best animals!🐺🐺

[@maksimlozanoski]

I got goosebumps watching this. Wolves are dope

[@gachaamazing8574]

Wolfs are kind and wonderful animals you should not judge them just because they eat other people and there victims doesn't mean they are horrible it is how the world is like and i love wolfs btw

[@SR0792]

They are the real chosen animals of this world...hypnotic animals

[@wadesharp11]

Cool thanks for this knowledge! Il remember it on quiz night

[@danette26]

There are also wolves in Mexico (nos illustrated in the map). Many are currently being reintroduced to the wild

[@wlfchampxwlfqueen7777]

I love wolves

[@mikeadenuga3091]

Wolves are super great hunters. They are awesome

[@morningstarlink]

Finally a wolf documentary... I've been waiting for this for a very long time

[@Spectre-69]

Actually there are three main species of wolves, canis lupus, canis simensis, and canis rufus (often mistaken for coyote hybrids despite anotomical differences). There's five if you count wolf foxes and painted dogs.

[@queentingz4802]

They're such beautiful creatures

[@pythonEnthusiast2023]

Beautiful creatures.

[@SiddheyaBalkawade]

Fate whispers to the wolf "you can't withstand storm" wolf whispers back I am the storm.

[@TheDollhouseKiller]

*_"A wolf would chew off its own paw; its survival instinct is that fierce. So is mine."_*

[@simon-pierredrolet955]

They are Amazing🐺🐺🐺

[@zimaalnoorian2148]

Don't know, why I love wolf so much😭😭😭😭❣️

[@jose280714]

Beautiful, thanks.

[@carlosdanger127]

2:41 that howl was sampled on the Kavinsky song Nightcall

[@chemistrybyap]

Be a lone wolf 🐺💪

[@pmarie2003]

My dog really enjoyed this.

[@FariTal0355]

For those friendly wolves, if I encounter one I would have misunderstood it as a doggo…they are too cute

[@LadySamurai88]

I think wolves are beautiful and amazing!

[@anuruparoychowdhury6570]

Whenever I hear "wolves" I think of Remus Lupin

[@aegystierone8505]

Majestic creatures.

[@saiyukiism]

Stunning