Societies of Wolves and Free-ranging Dogs

The first comprehensive assessment of societies of gray wolves and free-ranging dogs, with an emphasis on behavioral ecology.

Stephen Spotte (Author)

9781107015197, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 March 2012

394 pages, 64 b/w illus. 6 tables
25.3 x 17.8 x 2.3 cm, 0.93 kg

'Through mating behavior and litter size, dominance hierarchies, pack membership, genetics, inter-breeding and more, this book explores the wolfish heritage and human influences on dogs, domestic and wild. Students of behavioral ecology will find the detailed research fascinating, and the layperson will enjoy the author's candid observations about these canid cousins.' Nancy jo Tubbs, International Wolf

Wolves are charismatic emblems of wilderness. Dogs, which descended from wolves, are models of urbanity. Do free-ranging dogs revert to pack living or are their societies only reminiscent of a wolfish heritage? Focusing on behavioral ecology, this is the first book to assess societies of both gray wolves and domestic dogs living as urban strays and in the feral state. It provides a comprehensive review of wolf genetics, particularly of New World wolves and their mixture of wolf, coyote and dog genomes. Spotte draws on the latest scientific findings across the specialized fields of genetics, sensory biology, reproductive physiology, space use, foraging ecology and socialization. This interdisciplinary approach provides a solid foundation for a startling and original comparison of the social lives of wolves and free-ranging dogs. Supplementary material, including a full glossary of terms, is available online at www.cambridge.org/9781107015197.

Preface
Acknowledgments
1. What makes a wolf
2. What makes a dog
3. Visual and tactile communication
4. Olfactory and vocal communication
5. Space
6. Foraging
7. Courtship and conception
8. Reproduction and parenting
9. Socialization
Notes
Index.

Subject Areas: Zoology: Vertebrates [PSVW], Animal behaviour [PSVP]