Goddesses from Greek, Celtic and Nordic Mythology had affinities with the Wolf, find out more here!

From the Lakehead Thunderwolves in Ontario all the way up to the Anchorage Seawolves in Alaska, Canada’s hockey teams play with the power, teamwork and cunning of the wolf!

The 8 Teams with Wolves in their titles

Alvernia Golden Wolves

Reading Pennsylvania

• With a campus in Reading Pennsylvania, this incredible sports program features basketball, football, cross country, golf and soccer to name just a few!

Nebraska Wesleyan Golden Wolves

Lincoln, Nebraska 

• Based in Lincoln, the NWU football program is nationally recognized for not only its success on the field, but in the classroom as well.  To go along with its 507 wins and 22 championships, NWU currently ranks 7th among all football schools with its number of CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.

Arkansas State Red Wolves

Jonesboro, Arkansas

• The Arkansas State Red Wolves football team represents ASU in NCAA Division 1. In 105 seasons of football, the Red Wolves have won over 450 games, appeared in seven bowl games and claimed 11 conference championships, most recently in 2016 as they claimed their fifth title in six years. 

Alaska Anchorage Seawolves

Anchorage, Alaska

• The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves are the 13 varsity athletic teams that represent the UAA in NCAA intercollegiate sports. The majority of their teams compete in Div. 2, with their alpine and Nordic ski, gymnastics and ski teams all competing in Div. 1. 

Colorado State ThunderWolves

Fort Collins, Colorado

• The CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves are a part of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The men’s program includes seven sports; baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, tennis and wrestling. The women’s includes 8; basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball and track.
• The ThunderWolves won the 2014 NCAA Division II Football National Championship, its first in football program history, by blanking previously undefeated Minnesota State University, Mankato 13-0.

Lakehead Thunderwolves

Ontario, Canada

• The Lakehead Thunderwolves were founded in 1965 as the Lakehead Nor’Westers in the International Collegiate Hockey Association, where they played American teams from the NAIA, seeing varied success from their 1966-1985 career. 
• When hockey and other sports returned to Thunder Bay in 2001, they had rebranded as the Lakehead Thunderwolves in the Ontario University Athletics program. 

Northwood Timberwolves

Midland, Michigan

• Representing NU in Midland, Michigan, the Timberwolves are a NCAA Division 2 program, competing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for all 14 varsity sports since 1992. 

Grand Prairie Wolves

Alberta, Canada

• Founded in 1966, the teams originally went by the ‘Cubs’ or the ‘Cougars’ and competed in local sports leagues for basketball, football and hockey.
• In 1971-72 GPRC were admitted to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Association as an associate member, and a full member in ’72-73, fielding men’s and women’s basketball teams. 
• Since ’89 the Wolves have won numerous medals; Women’s Basketball in ’89, Badminton in ’95, Men’s Volleyball in ‘98, ‘99 and 2000 and Women’s Volleyball in ‘01, ‘02 and ‘18.

Northern State Wolves

Aberdeen, South Dakot

• Representing NSU in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the Northern State Wolves compete as members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference for all 13 varsity sports.

Wolves head basketball coach Don Meyer coached basketball for over thirty years and over that span amassed a number of awards. He achieved 700 wins faster than any other coach in college history.

Our daily quotes have a great following on our Facebook and Instagram pages it seems wrong not to put them here too!

"Love heals scars love left".

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Wolves and motorcycles share a lot of qualities; sleekness, speed and precision being just a few. So, it’s no surprise that the 1868-founded Wolf Motorcycles from Wolverhampton, UK decided to make their brand synonymous with this incredible creature. In researching this amazing company, we actually found that there was no sign of Wolf Motorcycles on the Wikipedia list of pre-war motorcycles, so we decided to add it to Wikipedia ourselves! Let’s jump into the history of this awesome company.

Wolf Motorcycles - Their Timeline in History 

Despite the company opening its doors in 1868, Wolf Motorcycles didn’t start selling bicycles with motors until the early 1900s, or the veteran era (up to 1914). 

Check out this timeline of the incredible company here!

Wolf Motorcycles - The Vintage Era

As you can see in the history above, Wolverhampton-based Wolf Motorcycles when through many iterations and ideas of what a motorcycle could be. Pictured below in the 1915  (at the top of the vintage era, that ran all the way up to 1930) Wolf catalogue; the “model A”. It was powered by a 2.5 to 3 hp., 2-stroke, turbo-diesel Cross & Sons engine with an A.M.A.C carburettor and was available in 2 versions; single gear and double gear. The single gear would run you 22 guineas, whereas the double would be 28, which in 2020 roughly equates to €3078.64 (£2421.43) and €3919.61 (£3082.87) respectively. Powered by a 2.25hp., 2 stroke Peco engine and the same carburettor. The 2-speed model sat at 30 guineas, and you could add a kick starter and engine clutch for an extra 2, or €4205.95 (£3308.08) and an extra €279.98 (£220.21). C and D were more similar, both with JAP engines, AMAC carburettors and belt drives; but D had a 4hp engine over Cs 2.5. The two speed models also had the possibility of attaching a sidecar!

Wolf Motorcycles - Post-Vintage Era - The 1932 and 1937 Catalogue

The images below are taken from the 1932 (at the top of the post vintage era, which ran up to 1945) catalogue after the Waine Brothers took over the company, and feature The Wolf Cub, The Wolf Minor, The Super Sports, The Wolf Utility and the Wolf Vixen. When these brothers took over the company, Mr. H.V Waine (a keen motorcyclist) was responsible for the design of both the motorcycles and the bicycles, and Mr. T.A Waine was responsible for the sales. Can you see any similarities between these beautiful machines and the stunning creature they’re named after?

The Cub was powered by a 98cc 2-stroke Villiers engine, a 2-speed gearbox and a chain drive, and even came with a toolkit. You could’ve picked one up for £15.5s (roughly €1340.05/£1053.98) and for an extra £1.5s (€133.99/£105.39) you could’ve had some extra lighting! The Minor (£17.15 or €1563.27/£1229.55) and the Super Sports (£29.10 or £2044.57) had slightly beefier set-ups, with 147cc and 196cc engines respectively. The Minor had a 2-speed gearbox and the Super Sports 3-speed. Here we can see the evolution from bicycle with an engine to conventional motorcycle almost complete; a powerful, smart, sleek machine, just like the wolf.

These images are taken from the 1937 catalogue, featuring The Wolf Minor, The Super Sports, The Wolf Unit and The Wolf Vixen. Sadly, these were to be the last motorcycles that the company produced, as they closed their doors in 1939 at the beginning of World War 2 and, following the war, they focused their production solely on bicycles.

In these images you can see that the Waine brothers evolved the motorcycles even more. The Super Sport at this point had a 250cc engine, a 3-speed gearbox and a 2-level carburettor. With Villiers electric lighting, this machine would run you £35.10s (£2135.60/€2715.23). The Vixen (pictured below) with the awesome Wolf branding had a 148cc super sports Villiers engine, a 3-speed gearbox and electric lighting would run you £25.10s (£1527.08/€1941.55). In this colour picture you can see the incredible detailing and brand, the early electric lighting and the air horn; zoom in the fuel tank and check out that original Wolf Motorcyles logo!

Wolf Motorcycles - Where are they now? 

Following World War 2, Wolf Motorcycles continued production of pedal cycles under the name Wearwell Cycle Company and, come the 1950s, 75% of the company’s production was being exported to over 30 different countries. In 1972 the company moved to Bridgnorth, near Birmingham, and in doing so bought their century long term in Wolverhampton to a close. 

To Find Our More

All images and details taken from this incredible website! Click here to read more about the incredible iterations of these early machines, or here to check out some more of our posts!

Interested in learning more about British veteran, vintage and class motorcycles for sale? Check out Verralls! (We used their classification system to age Wolf Motorcycle catalogues, thanks guys!) 

We wanna hear from you; would you pick up one of these bikes for the 2020 price? Or do you already own one of these incredible pre-war machines? We’d love to see your pictures below!

Need to upgrade your riding bandana? Why not rock the fierce snarl of the wolf! Check out this incredible wolf face mask and ride with the strength, precision and power that Wolf Motorcycles connected with over a century ago!

You want to get straight on with it? We found the perfect kit on Amazon to get you started. Combine these shapes with your own wishes, wants and materials to create your perfect, personalised artefact!

The Origins of Dream Catchers

There are two legends attached to the origin of the dream catcher from two different Native American tribes; the Ojibwe and the Lakota. To read more, check out this incredible site from which we took these quotes!

 “Traditionally made from a willow branch hoop, nettle fibre or sinew, and decorations such as beads and feathers, the origins of the dream catcher or associated with a figure from Ojibwe mythology known as Asibikaashi, or “the Spider Woman”. This mother-figure was a protector of the people, especially children. Dreamcatchers became a proxy for Asibikaashi as the Ojibwe nation spread over a lager geographical region, a tool hung over children’s beds to capture any bad or evil before it could cause any harm.”

“The Lakota tribe have their own dream catcher legend associated with a trickster god, Iktomi, who often appeared in the form of a spider. In Lakota culture, dream catchers represent “the web of life”, with its many good and bad choices. The dream catcher is meant to filter the bad ideas of society from the good, leading the people to achieve their dreams and visions”.

Who do you associate the dream catcher with; the mother Asibikaashi or the trickster Iktomi?

The different pattern meanings of the dream catcher

Dream catchers can have different numbers of points connecting to their hoops, all carrying different meanings. In creating your own, you can pick which of these is the most important to you; from the phases of the moon to the symbol of an eagle.

A dream catcher with 13 connections to its ring represents the the 13 phases of the moon as shown here:

You can get your own 13 connection dream catcher here.

A dream catcher with 8 connections to its ring represents the 8 legs of the Asibikaashi as shown here:

A dream catcher with 7 connections to its ring represents the 7 Prophecies of the Grandfathers (Wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, truth) as shown here:

A dream catcher with 6 connections to its ring represents the Eagle, or courage, as shown here:

A dream catcher with 5 connections to its ring represents the pentacle or 5-point star, as shown here:

The reasons you should make your own Dream Catcher

So now you know the history behind these spiritual artefacts, what perks (other than how stunning they look) are there to making one for your bedroom?

1. Catch and Filter Dreams

The dream catchers original and main function is to filter your nightmares from your dreams. If hung above the bed in a place where the sun can hit the dreamcatcher in the morning, the dreamcatcher attracts and catches all sorts of dreams and thoughts into its webs. The feathers hanging from the dream catchers are said to let the good dreams fall gently down onto the person sleeping below. 

2. Protector of Children

In Native American culture, the dream catcher was used predominately to protect children, girl or boy. It was believed that dark spirits and nightmares roamed the open air and the dream catcher caught these things whilst the children were asleep. 

3. A Good Luck Charm

Many believe that keeping a dream catcher hung in your home will bring good luck. This is largely due to its association with keeping the bad out of a person’s subconscious; if the dreamcatcher can filter out nightmares, perhaps it can filter out bad luck too. We quite often see dream catchers on car rear-view mirrors like this one.

4. Bring Your Dreams To Life

As outlined in this site, dream catchers can be used as an effective manifestation tool. If you follow the visions laid out whilst creating your dream catcher, it is thought that your dreams can manifest themselves into existence.

5. Show Authenticity

When approached in a way that respects the history and culture behind the craft and recognizes the artisan, hanging dream catchers can be a beautiful way to honour the people whose rich tapestry of beliefs carpeted this land long before European settlement.

Your Unique Life

Dream catchers have a significant cultural importance and making your own is a creative and respectful way to honour it. On top of that, they look wonderful and could protect you from nightmares! Have you made your own dreamcatcher? We’d love to see some pictures below! If you’ve been inspired to make your own dreamcatcher by this post, check out these useful links for some different options.

Culture and Spirituality

Love and Fidelity 

It has been filled with a range of news, some uplifting and some troubling, most of which you can find over at our Facebook page.

To save you time and give you the he Shop for Men's Clothing,Get the Best Men's Clothingheadlines, here are a few snippets.

SAINT FRANCIS WOLF SANCTUARY MOVE TO NEW SITE IN NAVASOTA, TEXAS + REST IN PEACE TO FOUNDER

https://saintfranciswolfsanctuary.org

Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary began with one wolf, Mystery. Mystery escaped from her previous home at the National American Wolf Association in 2002, living a full week in the forest before getting caught in a leg trap. NAWA sadly wouldn’t take her back, at which point the sanctuary’s founder Jean LeFevre stepped in and provided her a home. Saint Francis have since grown in size and scope, adding new residents and facilities. This week the group held their ‘Big Move’ event, welcoming 150 lucky customers a tour of their new site.

Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary founder Jean LeFevre sadly passed this month.  From the Saint Francis site;

“Jean LeFevre has had a lifelong, compassionate interest in both humanitarian and animal welfare issues. Jean has lived in Europe, India, Tanzania and finally Texas, and has travelled to many other points of the globe in the course of a very eventful life. Jean was the first woman in Madras, India granted a “License to Operate Flying Machines,” enrolled the first Girl Guides on the slopes of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 1950 and was awarded the Long Service medal and Certificate of Merit as a result of her work with the Red Cross. In March 1982, Jean and her late husband of 62 years, John LeFevre, moved to Montgomery, Texas. When asked what she is most proud of in her life, she responds, “My heart and my main pride is of my three wonderful sons, my beautiful daughters-in-law, my eleven incredible grandchildren plus eleven godchildren, and of course my dear friends, all of whom have their own stories!”

WEAKENED NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT + WOLF CONSERVATION IN ALASKA AND WASHINGTON

Several articles and petitions have been published over the past week regarding the conservation of both the Togo wolf family in Washington and the Alexander Archipelago wolf in South Alaska. In Washington, a lethal removal order has been reissued on the Togo Wolf family to protect the cattle in the area, and in Alaska pleas are being made by several conservation groups to add the Archipelago wolf to the endangered species list.
 
Alongside these conservation issues, it was announced this week that the National Environmental Policy Act is to be weakened.  The act limits the public review of federal infrastructure projects to speed up the permitting of freeways, powerplants and pipelines, meaning that a greater threat may be posed to the environment. Click through to learn more about these issues:
https://shintakeuchi.com/32DCfpo
https://shintakeuchi.com/2CQF2Rr
https://shintakeuchi.com/39dh0fm

THIS WEEK IN WOLVES

A toddler watches in awe  as a wolf pack wanders by their cabin in Quebec.

Sometimes wolves sing just to make music.

White Arctic Wolf howling.

Have a great week and stay safe. This week there have been a number of gift ideas that have been popular on Shintakeuchi, ranging from DIY jewellery sets to wolf pillows. 

1. Howling

Wolves and howling are almost synonymous. Wolves use howls to make a communication up to several miles away. Trivia: Did you know that in open terrain, wolves’ howl can reach up to 10 miles away? These form of communication allows wolves to locate their pack member, to inform others about their pack size, and to warn their family about a potential danger. 

We don’t say that you howl while under quarantine, but perhaps we can learn that a howl makes the pack tighter even for long distances. Consider it as a “social glue”, a music that makes families tighter even in the gravest situations.

2. Body Language

Wolves also convey a message to their pack by using body language. For the Alpha wolves (usually the pack’s breeding pair) to exert dominance among its pack members, they will convey a strong, erect posture with high-held tails. For the pack member, they express submissive positions to give respect for the “Alphas.” Wolves also love to play! It includes chasing games, jaw wrestling, and they also make various vocalizations. What can we learn from it? Despite the dangers of living in the wild, wolves make time to have fun and forget the world even just for a little time.

3. They Do Everything as One 

For any successful wolf activity, such as hunting, there is a precise amount of communication. Everyone is following their leader and trusts him/her to act for the benefit of the whole pack. 

That was Winter of 2018. For the next two years, the lone wolf wandered through mountains and meadows, feeding from livestock for survival.

For every OR-54’s steps, scientists tracked her every movement through a radio transmitter collar.

She went home to her parents back in Oregon twice, maybe complaining for the lack of finding a mate. She also crossed the border line into Nevada sometime last Fall. The journey for mate searching continue on, she kept walking an average of 13 miles a day.

It is a normal instinct for a young wolf to leave home when they reach one and a half or two years old, they strike out from their birth pack in search for mates and territory to call their home.

Like her, OR-54’s father named OR-7, had crossed boundaries in search for a mate. His search took him two years in California before eventually returning to Oregon to have wolf pups.

Sadly, OR-54’s lonely journey finish when she was found lifeless in Shasta County.  Autopsy was performed by California’s Fish and Wildlife Department to investigate her cause of death; she was three years old. OR-54’s travels took her much further south in California than any other wolf since 1924, when the species was deracinated.

Wolves are known to leave urine marks for their would be partners to find. Sadly, OR-54 never found hers and was able to leave information for the experts that there aren’t enough wolves in that area.

Gray wolves are once abundant across the US. Now, they are almost wiped out by the government during the 19^th and 20^th century. While efforts from conservationist is being done to bring the wolves back, their population still remain very low, in California alone has documented about 20 wolves since 2011.

In a place where a healthy gray wolf population thrives, OR-54 would have been attempting to partner up sometime between December and January and would have been carrying wolf pups in February, just in time for Valentine’s Season. OR-54 should have her litter of pups sometime in April.

OR-54’s radio collar was able to tell experts that she was linked with the death of livestock killed in the place she went through. Sometime last Fall, the battery on her collar began to drain, and the information become scarce. The data in her collar indicated that she was in this one spot this Winter, not showing any activities. Curious, Wildlife officials was able to traced her in a particular spot and there, her lifeless body was found. Many speculations were assumed for her death, but investigation is still in process.

This was not the first time for Oregon wolves. Another wolf in California named OR-59, was shot dead in near the small towns of Lookout and Bieber, according to the Wildlife Agency. Officials put a $2,500 bounty for any information for the wolf’s death.

Gray wolves, along with other animals, are protected by both the Federal Endangered Species Act and the California Endangered Species Act, as per the Fish and Wildlife Department says. Killing a wolf is crime and can be penalized including imprisonment. A wolf’s death is just another important highlight to the importance of legal protections for our wolves.

Written by James Miranda

A grandmother once was at home, weaving, and doing beadwork. Her grandson stopped for her with some food, and saw a spider. He picked up a piece of wood and was about to squash the spider when he was stopped by his grandmother, in awe. The grateful spider profusely thanked grandmother and assured her that he would weave a magical web in exchange for his life, which would capture all her bad dreams and only let the good ones flow through. The Ojibwa people now made magical catchers of dreams and hung them over the cradles of their babies.

History:

Today the Dream Catcher is associated with Native American culture in general, but it is often believed that dream catchers originated in particular from the Ojibwa Chippewa tribe. The Lakota tribe also has its own legend about the Dream Catcher's origins, but most ethnographers believe that the Dream Catcher have been passed down through intermarriage and trade from the Ojibwe. The Ojibwe word for Dream Catcher is asabikeshiinh actually means "spider," which refers to the web woven to cover the hoop loosely. The dream catcher patterns are similar to the webbing used by these Native Americans to make snowshoes as well.

Parts of Dream Catchers:

Web:

 Represents a spider that weaves an eternal life web. So, when you dream, you weave your life dreams and energy in the universe.

Beads:

The web beads are of 7 directions, so they are called upon to bless you.

Ring:

Represents the Mother Earth and the humble walk that we walk upon her. It also represents aspects of the mind and spirit of one's personality, moods, and emotions.

Feathers:

Good dreams float through the webbing and touch the feathers from which they trickle down to the child who is sleeping.

The dream catcher's pieces all have a certain significance.

Once they weave the ring and the web. It stands for love, honesty and purity. All of the dream catcher element together represent the earth, the fire and the water. The things that we need to live up to.

They are popular in modern times, as a variety of accessories.

 Written by: James Miranda

Usually, wolves are larger than humans, including dogs that look “wolfy” like huskies and malamutes. Male wolves vary in size and weight, but they usually range from 66 to 180 lbs. While huskies and malamutes weigh about 60 to 95 lbs at their heaviest. So if your pup weighs as much or as much as you do, they may have a wolf in them.

2. Paws

Wolves paws are considerably larger than any typical breed of dogs. If the paws of your pups are as large as or larger than your palm, they might be part wolf.

3. Eyes

Wolves have NO blue eyes, even when they’re puppies. At about 6 weeks, they will eventually turn into an amber-like or brown color. Nevertheless, because they are more dog than wolf, some low content wolfdogs that retain the blue color for their entire lives. But if your dog has yellow eyes, there is a good chance that there will be a touch of wolf.

4. Ears

The ears of the wolf are not flat. Their ears are tight and rigid. To help them stay warm in very cold temperatures, a wolf’s ears are thick and fuzzy. Wolfdogs are almost always going to be very close to the ears of a true wolf. If your dog has thick fuzzy ears that do not easily flop or fold, it may be something that is passed down from an ancestor of a wolf.

5. Legs

Typically, wolves and wolfdogs are more “leggy” than dogs. Their legs are going to be longer and leaner than a standard dog and tied to a narrow chest, perfect for running!

6. Snout

Over the years, wolves have adapted to hunt large prey for food and therefore need a larger, wider snout to do so. One of the first things you notice in a wolfdog will most likely be the long and wide snout.

7. Nose

The noses of the wolves are black, 100% black, no pink or lighter. On the other hand, Wolfdogs, while chances are high that they will all be black as well, in some sections they may have a lighter color. For lower content wolfdogs, lighter coloring will be more popular, but it is still impossible.

8. Bark

Wolves, that’s not the bark. We do have the ability, at least not necessarily, but seldom do and instead choose to howl. Nevertheless, sometimes wolfdogs may still bark, but not nearly as much as a normal dog.

9. Coat

The color or pattern of fur that wolves and wolf dogs have is called agouti, common among many mammals that are undomesticated. This means that each hair is actually 2 colors.

10. Puppies

Once a year, wolves and most wolf dogs go to bed. Whether during the winter or early spring. Wolves usually match between January and March, the mother usually carries the pups for 2 months before they give birth. So if between March and May your pup was born, they might be a wolf dog!

These are all great ways to distinguish a wolf dog from a regular dog, but getting a DNA test done is the only way to know for sure.

How many of these traits your dog has? Let us know in the comments below. As always, Howl to the Moon and Reach for the Stars!

Written by James Miranda

The game is patterned from the original game of basketball but played quicker and more aggressive. Many high school teams sometimes play a combination of traditional basketball and Rezball as they strive to compete and win state tournaments. Some teams feature local talents with great Rezball skills.

Regardless of the season, Rezball can be played indoors and outdoors. As long as there is a hoop up there. It’s a great thing to know that this kind of sport bring the people living in the reservations closer.

The game is fun to watch. The rules are the same as in traditional basketball, but at all times the tempo is fast forward: players have a mind-boggling stamina, and the game is a competition of switches, pushes, traps, bold steals and crafty ball-handling. Every player can be a shooting threat on the best Rezball teams, making acrobatic drives to the basket and taking difficult charges to steal the momentum of the opposing team. With this kind of game style of basketball, no wonder why people pack in the gyms, sitting on the edge of their seats while watching two teams battle.

Many Rezball teams play tournaments across the country, one of the most known league is the Native American Basketball Invitational in Phoenix, Arizona. This league features the best Rezball players that hopefully can be watched by college scouts. Opportunities liked this are tightly grabbed by kids from the reservations. That’s because reservations are generally located remotely, sometimes a couple of hours away from major cities. Despite this, many of our Native American brothers and sisters stayed in reservations to maintain the rich tradition, to maintain the roots, and to live close to their tribal community. Unfortunately, some reservations are locations of high unemployment, low graduation rates and scarce resources, while others have better conditions and opportunities. Regardless of the latter fact, all the people from the reservations share rich tribal cultures, histories and traditions. Rezball had become one reason that kept the culture and Native American Spirit alive and hooping.

September

To wolf pups, the first fall into winter is a critical time. They have to learn how to hunt and fend for themselves because some of them will be driven away from the jurisdiction of the pack by the alpha pair once a new litter is born in spring. Children are old enough to fly several miles wandering every night in search of food at around half the size of adults. Just watching at first, the young wolves learn which animals to attack, how the pack works together in a chase, and how to kill running prey, all the important lessons they will evoke in the years to come. Adolescent wolves in the litter of the year are now traveling on hunts with the pack. They only watch the adults hunting tactics and killing at first, but they will soon join the action.

October

Wolves are preferred to hunt at night, feeding mostly on large mammals such as moose deer and caribou. Hunting as a pack, wolves are trying to surprise prey, cut off or ambush their retreat. In average, only 1 in 10 checked animals, usually the elderly, young, sick or wounded, will be killed. When wolves can wound their prey to the exposed rump or hamstring with a crushing bite, the pack can pounce on their quarry and finish the kill with 2-inch-long fangs and an impressive 1,500 pounds of jaw strength per square inch. Wolves can run at speeds of up to 35 mph, but if a kill is unlikely or a formidable prey puts up a strong defense, they will quickly abandon a chase.

November

To some, a wolf's howl is creepy, sad, or chilling at the heart. To others, it's the plains ' magnificent, untamed record. This serves a number of purposes for wolves. Howling is sometimes used to express place during hunting. Once leaders are removed from the group, other vocalizations are used. Also, a package will hurry to communicate territory. Each wolf in the chorus is going to hurl on a different note, making the group look bigger than it really is. After a successful hunt, chorus howling is also heard. Besides sending messages, howling reinforces pack unity, which can explain why wolves sometimes seem to hurl for no other reason than their joy. A wolf separated from his pack may emit a "lonesome howl." When answered, the wolf changes to a "site" howl that is louder, more even and often punctuated with barks.

December

To some, a wolf's howl is creepy, sad, or chilling at the heart. To others, it's the plains ' magnificent, untamed music. This serves a number of purposes for wolves. Howling is sometimes used to express place during hunting. Once leaders are removed from the group, other vocalizations are used. Also, a package will hurry to communicate territory. Each wolf in the chorus is going to hurl on a different note, making the group look bigger than it really is. After a successful hunt, chorus howling is also heard. Besides sending messages, howling reinforces pack unity, which can explain why wolves sometimes seem to hurl for no other reason than their joy. A wolf separated from his pack may emit a "lonesome howl." When answered, the wolf changes to a "site" howl that is louder, more even and often punctuated with barks. Although it seems to be harsh, it is sometimes necessary to ostracize young people if the pack is to survive on the territory's limited prey. It is one of many ways to maintain the balance of nature. Many wolves reaching 22 months of sexual maturity can leave the pack to set up a new territory, find a mate, and start a new pack.

This concludes our Year in The Life Series. Wolves are beautiful, aren’t they? Without them, the circle of life will be derailed, here at Shintakeuchi, we support the cause to save the wolves worldwide, help us and let’s make the world a better place.

Written by James Miranda

May - Growing Pups 

The alpha female, now the dominant wolf in the pack until the pups are as old as they can travel, sometimes wants to switch to a new den once the young are a few months old. The pups are playing a lot at this point. We are a persistent nuisance for adult pack members, displaying a remarkably high resistance for rough-housing pups. Early wrestling competitions between litter mates also show signs of hierarchical leadership, with the top pup showing dominance by standing over a defeated sibling in a stern pose with erect tail. Pack members will be stationed at both sites during the move to a new den site to protect the offspring until the transfer is complete.

June - Marking Wolf Pack Territory 

Depending on the availability of meat, wolf packing territories range from 20 to 150 square miles. The alpha male marks the territory of the pack by urinating along the perimeter on tree stumps and other identifiable items. Such scent stations are regularly tested and freshened when the pack rounds along its territory boundary. Although it rarely happens, there will be a violent defensive assault on a loner wolf or other wolf pack that breaches the territory of the resident pack. “Buffer zones” divide territories between wolf packs that are not routinely patrolled or protected. Not unexpectedly, in these buffer zones, prey animals gather.

July - Wolf Social

Things are settling among the pack with social structure being established and each member in the hierarchy has a certain rank. Under the alpha male is a beta male who controls all other males. Over all other females and most males, the alpha female is dominant. Through an ordered array of actions, this highly organized system is retained. With tail up, eyes forward, and mouth open, the dominant wolf approaches a subordinate. The lower-ranking wolf may lower his tail or tuck it between his thighs, lay back his head, and may even lie down, revealing the more dominant wolf to his belly. The lowest ranking wolf in a pack is an “outcast.” Remaining on the outskirts of the pack, on the scraps left by the rest of the pack, it is forced to survive.

August - Staying Alive

Wolves can be the most adaptable of all species next to humans. In almost any area, wolves can live; some are found for deserts or tropical forests. Wolves will survive and thrive almost anywhere, provided enough space to wander and enough prey numbers. A keen sense of smell, good hearing and good vision combine to make the wolf an effective hunter in almost any habitat type. Wolves rely more on their sense of smell to locate prey in heavily forested areas where visibility is poor. Wolves sit for hours on top of ridges in mountainous areas waiting for prey to pass below them.

Our next article will cover September to December. Be sure to follow this article and discover this wonderful way of life. As always, howl to the moon and reach for the stars. 

Please leave a comment below.

Be sure to follow this article and discover this wonderful way of life!

January - Not much food for the Wolf pack so lots of roaming

During winter months, as prey becomes scarce, wolf packs become more nomadic, frequently moving up to 60 miles a day in their search for food. With their long legs and big, wide paws that act like snowshoes on broken snow, wolves are well adapted for navigating through deep snow. Wolves travel in a single file during particularly deep snows, allowing members to save energy to the back of the line. They will also use other animals ' trails. Wolves frequently curl their tails over their paws and nose during blizzards and allow the snow to fully cover their bodies, thereby providing wind and cold insulation. Wolf fur consists of two layers, an overcoat of long, sleek hair and a downy undercoat so thick that a human finger pressed into it cannot penetrate the skin of the wolf.

February - Time for Alpha Wolf to make his mark

The northern altitude wolves mating season starts in February. Usually, only the pair of alpha (leader) will match. The alpha male and the alpha female pack members may severely discipline subordinate male pack members trying to match. During this time, the alpha male and his mate saw each other playful and affectionate, chasing and greeting each other, nipping the face and ears of the other, and grooming each other. During this time, the alpha male and his mate saw each other playful and affectionate, chasing each other and welcoming each other, nipping the face and ears of the other, and grooming each other. When the female is in estrus, the mating pair always slips away from the pack, their union producing the one liter of the year. Wolves reach sexual maturity by 3, 4 or 5 years of age, but generally do not reproduce unless they reach the alpha ranking or break off the pack.

March - Making a Wolf Den

The former affability and friendliness of the pack towards each other has returned with the stressful time of mating done. The nomadic habits of the Pack are giving way to a more static lifestyle based around a den site chosen for the litter birth. Dens are recycled year after year and are mostly excavated from the sides of hills with water found nearby. The tunnel leading back to a slightly larger inner chamber may stretch from a few feet deep to as far back as 20 feet. Normally, only the pregnant woman is allowed in the room. Den sites are usually higher than the surrounding land, allowing a large area to be watched by the pack.

April - Wolf cub "sitting" 

While the wolf pups are being raised, the entire pack serves in some capacity. Females often "baby-sit" the pups while the alpha female resumes hunting activity, and the 5 to 12 hungry wolf pups are provided with food by each pack member. Pups lick and nuzzle an adult's mouth or head coming back from a game, allowing the adult to regurgitate partly digested food. Adults often have to make several long trips from the kill to the den to ensure that young people are well fed, and sometimes they have to retreat to hidden areas to digest a meal without sharing it. Around three weeks after birth, wolf pups emerge from their dark den and start playing, exploring and resting with the rest of the pack.

Our next article will cover May to August. Be sure to follow this article and discover this wonderful way of life. As always, howl to the moon and reach for the stars. 

Please leave a comment below.

It takes a lot to be “wolf”.

Do you have these 7 characteristics to become one of the pack?

1. Wolves Embrace Uniqueness

A pack that stands together, survives together. They don’t feel fear or intimidated by the opinions of others. They know their strengths and use it to stand their ground.

2. Wolves Act as a Pack

A lone wolf can’t survive the winter, but the pack survives. They act as an intact unit and ignore any circumstances to back down from every situation they will face.

3. They Are Smart

A pack never attacks a prey without devising strategies. Wolves’ art of war is knowing itself and knowing its prey.

4. Wolves Protect Their Own

Wolves are wired to protect their own. Harm the pack, the wolves will swarm.

5. Wolves Are Natural Leaders

To be an excellent leader, one must follow first. The key to the perfect hunt are leadership and the followers who obey their Alpha’s orders.

6. Wolves Are the Definition of Freedom

Each pack has its own set of rules. Wolves are meant to run wild and free. he Shop for Men's Clothing,Get the Best Men's Clothingimagines a world where every wolf is free. Help us support this cause and visit us at shintakeuchi.com

7. Wolves Find Their Strength in The Light of Darkness

A wolf pack is known to be most active during the night. They make the darkness their ally. You are a true wolf if you always find your inner strength even in the darkness of the days.

How many of these traits do you share with a wolf? Share this article and influence others to let their inner wolf shine in the fullest light of the Moon. As always, howl to the moon and reach for the stars.

Written by James Miranda

Today, powwows are conducted across the continent of North America, from small towns like White Eagle, Oklahoma to some of the biggest, such as Los Angeles, California. From cow pastures to convention centers, they can take place anywhere and take place throughout the year. Such gatherings last only one weekend, but usually from hundreds and even thousands of miles away attract Native Americans and tourists.

There’s a reason for driving hours, a reason you’re struggling with; what you feel and believe. Many come to “contest” these celebrations, many come to sing songs, some come to see friends and relatives, and some come to the atmosphere. A powwow makes people feel good, a mental and physical sensation. For this reason, powwows spread rapidly across the plains and are now seen as one of the Native Americans ‘ main cultural activities.

The powwow is the way that the Native American gets together to dance, sing, play, renew old friendships and make new ones. This is a time for renewing an old-fashioned thought and reserving a rich heritage. As early as 1804, the Poncas were the first to practice this ceremony, called the Hethuska. They passed the Hethuska to the Kaw, and gave the Osage the dance, which called it “Inlonschka.” Then the Omaha adopted the practice and extended it north to the Lakota (Sioux) tribe, which in the late 1890s popularized it on reservations.

Dances have always been the Native American’s important part of life. Dance styles and material have changed over the years, but their sense and importance have not changed. There is a belief held by some in the Native American community that they were also forced to have dances for the public to come and see when they were forced into reservations. They were led through the city in a procession before every dance. According to some, this was the start of the modern powwow.

Powwow singers in the Native American culture are also very important figures. There wouldn’t be any fun without them. The compositions, from religious to war to cultural, are of many varieties. They would perform their songs as different tribes came together, often switching the songs so that singers from different tribes could take part. Having “vocables” to replace the words of the old songs came with these changes. So some of today’s songs are sung without words in “vocables.” Yet those who know the music still have a special meaning. We are reminders of their old ways and rich heritage for Native Americans.

Many powwows were “inter-tribal” in the 1920s, meaning they were available to all tribes to join, and the “contesting” tradition began.

Contesting requires dance competitions that can last throughout the weekend, given how often dancers perform and how well they can dance. The prizes can go up to thousands of dollars.

The Second World War brought a return to the world of powwow. Powwows have evolved ever since, constantly changing and adapting to modern ways while retaining their cultural roots. From passaging time, brighter shades, more movements, and even a new style of dance appeared. The Native American culture under a museum’s glass is not dead and set. Rather, it is a living community that preserves its history and pushes forward with the times.

Written by James Miranda

A dream quest is a very common practice in Native American and is usually made up of a series of Elders-led ceremonies. A vision quest is an attempt often through the process of fasting, isolation, and meditation to achieve a vision of a future guardian spirit. This concept is strongly associated with the animism ideology of the Native American Indian, which is based on the idea that all life has a soul or spirit – including animals and plants.

Journey to the Vision Quest

When a boy is young, he must try to understand his purpose in life. Therefore, he has to experience a quest for vision. The boy wouldn't know what his role would be in the tribe; if he had an unsuccessful quest for vision, his life would be much less. The first time we go for a dream, not everyone gets a sight hunt. Many people can take their first vision two or three times. But you have your power for life once you have a good quest.

A vision quest for Native Americans is a rite of passage, one of the most important events in one's life. It means that a person leaves one community to join another, causing a significant change in society's status.

The young boy must first meet a medicine man before a dream quest can take place to ask if he can follow the spiritual path and find the answers to his questions. If the medicine man agrees, both go to the sweat lodge of the village so that the boy can purify his soul so that he can fulfill his spirit animal.

For four days and nights, the process includes a full fast. First, for this reason, the boy must go alone to a sacred site in nature chosen by the Elders. This sacred site usually sits in the middle of a circle of rocks about ten feet wide. The young boy has to spend the next two or four days in life becoming one. The young man will have a dream after a while in which he will encounter spirit animal. He signals the end of the search for sight and the boy is free to return to the tribe. A vision quest can also be performed later in life when he needs guidance.

The first time you can't always get a vision quest. The process sometimes has to be repeated twice or three times before a vision can be obtained. What's crucial to Native Americans is that you know your purpose in life once you have a dream quest and can help the world. A searching for a dream is not about having fun playing games. The ultimate goal is to achieve life's power.

 It should be remembered that a vision quest can only be carried out by boys.

The first time we go for a vision quest, not everyone gets "vision". Many people can take their first vision two or three times. But you have your strength for life once you have a successful quest.

Written by James Miranda

10. “All plants are our brothers and sisters. They talk to us and if we listen, we can hear them.” –Arapaho

Native American Shamans are known to connect to the nature around us. But if we listen carefully, we can hear the songs coming from the plants and any living things that surround us, too!

So the next time you have a lovely cup of tea or having a plentiful lunch, come to thank the resources, the nature on which you received your bountiful table.

9. “Before eating, always take time to thank the food.” – Arapaho

Just like our first entry, it is important to give thanks to the provider who sustains our daily needs. We can’t stress enough on how important nature play to our lives. We must respect everything and anything Mother Nature is giving us. Everything is connected and everything must be treated with respect.

8. “When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us.” – Arapaho

Everything is connected. We are all within the Circle of Life. Tumble one, and everything collapses. Sometimes we tend to overlook this situation trying to save our own, neglecting our surroundings. We should give more than we take from Mother Nature and if we do this, Mother Nature will surprise us with gifts we could never imagine. The world is a better place if we could just get along.

7. “If we wonder often, the gift of knowledge will come.” - Arapaho

Arapaho Proverbs really struck an impression to us. The 7^th entry to our list is another one from them. It is said that “imagination is more important than knowledge”. If we let our inner child’s curiosity play, ideas can often be radical than we can imagine.

6. “Those who have one foot in the canoe, and one foot in the boat, are going to fall into the river.” – Tuscarora

Sometimes in life, our choices overwhelm us, turning you away from the best version of yourself.  If you’re trying to row at two rivers, you will get nowhere.

5. “The weakness of the enemy makes our strength.” - Cherokee

Native Americans are known as warriors but battles are not only won in battlefields but also in life. Sometime our greatest enemy is not anyone but ourselves. If we try to assess ourselves and learn from our weaknesses, we can turn them as arsenals on which we can use to make us a better person. The first and noblest of all victories is conquering oneself.

4. “We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.” - Dakota

What will be your legacy once it is all said and done? What do you want to leave to the children of tomorrow? Your actions will echo to eternity so start building your legacy TODAY!

3. “Everyone who is successful must have dreamed of something.” – Maricopa

Every great idea started from a simple daydream. But to make that daydream dream into a reality we must know how to plow more than we can reap. We have to work our backs off so we can turn that idea to a world changing idea.

2. “You already possess everything necessary to become great.” – Crow

Sometimes what you are looking for is already inside you, you just have to dig deeper. Simpler than said than done but trust us, you’ll surprise yourself.

1. “If a man is as wise as a serpent, he can afford to be as harmless as a dove.” – Cheyenne

Humility is sometimes overlooked. If we try to go back to earth on which we came from and use our outstanding abilities to help others, we can make the world a better place for everyone.

Here’s our Top 10 Native American Proverbs and Our Interpretation about them. What’s your favorite Native American Proverb? Share it with us!

Written by James Miranda

Native Americans considered the feather of an eagle as the highest symbol and mark of respect. They earn it through courage and honor. A Cherokee warrior must show these characteristics and brave acts for them to earn their feathers and be a person of honor. It can also be earned by serving and working for their nation or community. These services and works include acts of valor in battle but may also include political and diplomatic acts that can bring honor to Cherokee warrior’s nation. A feather of an eagle was hard to earn that, sometimes, only two or three feathers were awarded in a Cherokee’s whole lifetime. When a Cherokee earns enough feathers, they incorporate it into a headpiece or a regalia.

The feathers from a Cherokee headdress represent trust, honor, power, strength, wisdom, and many great characteristics. It is the most rewarding gift a Cherokee warrior can receive because they believed that it was a reward given by the ones above. They believed that the eagles have a deep and spiritual connection with the heaven because eagles soar and fly high.  Every feather earned by a Cherokee warrior is well taken care of and should never be dropped or can never touch the ground. It is said that keeping these feathers hidden is disrespectful so most of the feathers earned by Cherokee warriors were proudly displayed on their homes for everyone to see.

We should all know that a Cherokee headdress is reserved only for the Native American Tribes revered elders who earned their feathers through their selflessness and brave leadership. Those who earned these feathers are only the ones who may wear it. It is not only a traditional and cultural wear but also a spiritual garb. We should all know that wearing a Cherokee Headdress is not easily worn and that wearing one just because it’s on a trend or just because you find it awesome belittles what the Cherokee elders earned for a lifetime.

Written by James Miranda

The tribe, at peace with the Mexican cities and nearby Indian tribes, moved to New Mexico in the mid-1850s where they could trade. They've been camping outside a Mexican town called Kas-ki-yeh for several days. The rest of the men went to the city to trade, leaving a few warriors to guard the camp. Many women and children who told them that Mexican troops had invaded their camp met them when they returned from town.

They went back to camp to find their guard guards killed, and their horses, provisions and weapons were gone. Even worse, there were also many women and children killed. Goyathlay's daughter, mother, and three children were among those who lay dead, and as a result he despised all Mexicans for the rest of his life.

It was his family's slaughter that made him a brave warrior from a friendly Native. He soon joined a fearsome Apache tribe known as Chiricahua and engaged in several attacks in northern Mexico and across the border into U.S. territory, now known as the New Mexico and Arizona states.

Written by James Miranda

It was those Mexican critics who gave him the "Geronimo" nickname, the Spanish version of "Jerome."  Geronimo fought against both Mexicans and white settlers in increasing numbers as they began to colonize many of the homelands of the Apache. Nevertheless, the Department of Arizona commander, Lieutenant Colonel George F. Crook, had succeeded in maintaining relative peace in the area by the early 1870s.

In 1876, the U.S. government tried to move the Chiricahua from their traditional home to the San Carlos Reserve, a desolate desert in east-central Arizona, known as "Hell's Forty Acres." Revolted, stripped of traditional tribal privileges, short of rations and homesickness.

Hundreds of Apache, spurred by Geronimo, left the reservation and fled to Mexico to resume their war against the whites. Geronimo and his followers launched ten years of sporadic raids against white settlers, alternating on the San Carlos reservation with periods of peaceful farming.

General George Crook was told of launching a war against the Apache in Arizona in 1882. Geronimo surrendered in January 1884, but flew from the San Carlos Reserve on May 17, 1885, joined by 35 warriors and 109 other men, women and children, prompted by reports of imminent trials and hangings.

At least 5,000 white troops and 500 Indian auxiliaries were working in the capture of Geronimo's small band at different times during this final campaign. Five months later, Geronimo was tracked to his camp in the Sonora Mountains of Mexico, 1,645 miles later.

Geronimo surrendered at Cañon de Los Embudos in Sonora, Mexico, tired and hopelessly out numbered on March 27, 1886. He had a handful of warriors, women, and children in his unit. A young white boy named Jimmy "Santiago" McKinn was also discovered to have been abducted in September by the Indians about six months earlier. The "rescued" boy was so assimilated to the lifestyle of the Apache that he cried when he was forced to return to his parents.

The photographer, C.S., also flew with General Crook. Travel of the fame of Tombstone. He was able to take some of the best-known photographs in U.S. history after the bands captured.

The party was gathered by the soldiers and began the journey to Fort Bowie, Arizona. Near the border, though, Geronimo was terrified they would be killed if they crossed into U.S. territory, bolted with Chief Naiche, 11 warriors, and a few women and children who could flee back into Sierra Madra. Consequently, on April 2, 1886, Brigadier General Nelson A. Miles replaced Crook as commander.

At a meeting at Skeleton Canyon in Arizona on September 3, 1886, General Miles persuaded Geronimo to surrender again, promising him that he and his followers would be allowed to return to Arizona after an extended exile in Florida.

The pledge has never been fulfilled. Geronimo and his fellow inmates were transported for incarceration by box-car to Florida and put to hard work.

Before he saw his parents, it was May 1887. He was transferred to Fort Sill in Oklahoma Territory some years later, in 1894, where he sought to "fit in." He farmed and entered the Dutch Reformed Church, which, due to his inability to avoid gambling, expelled him.

When years went by, Geronimo's warrior ferocity tales made him into a legend that fascinated both non-Indians and Indians. As a result, he appeared at several fairs, selling himself souvenirs and photos. In 1905, when he participated in the inaugural parade of President Theodore Roosevelt, he was quite the sensation. The public's obsession with him led to his appearances at the turn of the century in Wild West Shows like Buffalo Bill Cody's and Pawnee Bill's, which attracted hundreds of spectators. Such films re-created legendary wars, "Indian Races," live buffalo, and the biggest attraction of all – famous people like Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph, and Rains in the Face (reported to be the man who killed Custer). The Indians entered the shows for opportunities to fly in Europe as well as in the United States. Geronimo also participated in a number of other "attractions" that introduced him to interested audiences, including the shows of Omaha and Buffalo and the St. Louis World Fair in 1904. Together with Geronimo's strong prestige, these many incidents made him one of the most photographed Native Americans of the period.

Geronimo dictated his memoirs, published as the Story of His Life by Geronimo in 1906. On February 17, 1909, Geronimo died of pneumonia and was buried at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in the Apache cemetery.

Written by James Miranda

This story teaches us a very big life lesson about credibility through honesty. In this story, the wolf represents karma and karma, as we know is the effect of something we do that would influence our future. Remember that when we are honest, people around you will trust you. If you lie just because you want attention, or when you want them to pity you and see who care, or for whatever reason, people will eventually get tired and adept with your means and ways and would not want to help you or even give you the slightest attention you want to seek. Being a person of integrity is one thing we adore in a person. Saying lies will only damage your credibility and when you need help, you’ll lose their trust and you won’t get any help from the people you fool.

Let us learn how to speak truthfully in a consistent manner. Have you ever been around a person who always runs his or her mouth? You notice that people would not pay much attention to this person, right? But when you encounter a person who thinks before speaking, your full attention would be on them, listening and paying attention to what they say. The same is true with liars. When you keep stretching the truth to people who trusts you with all their heart and you keep doing it again and again, do you think they would still believe you and trust you the next time around? So we should always think of the damage in telling lies even in very tough situations. Remember that trust is earned and reputations are hard to build once destroyed. Bad intent and bad deeds contribute bad karma, but good intent and good deeds would always result in a good reputation and good karma.

They have shorter and more rounded ears, a shorter muzzle, and shorter legs than other gray wolf subspecies to assist decrease heat loss. There are two dense layers of fur in Arctic wolves. As the winter months come along, the exterior layer gets thicker. They help to create a waterproof barrier for the skin first layer. As a result, even when it is bitter cold, their body temperature can remain warm enough. Throughout the year, Arctic wolves have almost white fur that enables them to blend in with their snowy environments.

They have fur on the hands to isolate them from snow and ice and to ensure a better grip on slippery surfaces. They have also learned how to survive on fat stored in the body rather than needing food as often as other wolf species do. Arctic wolves have vision, hearing, and smell senses. Arctic wolves live up to about twenty in packs of only a few members.

Wolf packs contain an extremely complicated social order, and each pack has a dominant male and female. Wolves use body language to express pack laws, and the number one rule says the pack comprises leaders and followers. The pack is in charge of the dominant male and female. They carry their tails high and tall to transmit dominance. Less dominant wolves display submissive conduct by holding down their tails and lowering their bodies at the higher-ranking wolves frequently. The pack has a complicated social hierarchy maintained by a multitude of vocalizations, body postures, and the marking of scents.

Like all wolves, Arctic wolves are hunting in packs.

Arctic wolves can travel for lengthy periods of time on hunting or traveling within their land at about 8 kilometers (5 miles per hour). During winter hunts, a wolf pack can spend 8-10 hours a day moving and can cover 65 kilometers (40 miles) a day. A small prey density in the Arctic needs that these wolves have over 2,600 square kilometers (1,000 square miles) of territory. The Arctic wolf’s primary prey is musk oxen and arctic hare, but caribou, ptarmigan, lemmings, seals, nesting birds and even Arctic foxes will also be eaten. Arctic wolf has 42 sharp teeth filled with powerful jaws intended to tear flesh and crush bones. They can consume at one moment over 9 kilograms of meat (20 pounds).

As with most wolf species, only the alpha male and the beta female can mate. Arctic Wolves often use rock outcroppings, caves or even shallow depressions as dens instead because of the Arctic permafrost soil and the difficulty it presents in building dens. The pregnant female’s gestation period is 53 to 61 days. In late May to early June, the mom gives birth to 2 or 3 pups. The pups leave the den after 3-6 weeks and start investigating their surroundings, staying close to the den’s safety. The pups are big enough to move and hunt with the pack by fall.

Arctic wolves are secure from predators because they live in severe circumstances where few other mammals can survive, but sometimes they are prey to polar bears. Other Arctic wolves sometimes present a danger when rival packs kill for food, land, or matching rights during a battle. Living in the Arctic Circle, the Arctic wolf is in complete darkness spending five out of twelve months. An absence of fear towards humans is one of the few behavioral distinctions between Arctic wolves and other gray wolves. The Arctic wolf was first defined by British Zoologist R. I. Pocock as a separate subspecies from Melville Island in 1935, after examining a single skull. Thanks to its isolation, like its southern relatives, the Arctic wolf is not threatened with hunting and habitat destruction. In reality, the Arctic wolf is the only non-threatening sub-species of the wolf.

 Written by James Miranda

They invite other wolves to take part in sharing space with them when they roll around and rub their scent on the ground. They give the message to that particular wolf that they are friendly and welcoming and they mean no harm. It is very important for individual survival for a pack to understand the mood of the other wolves.

You can actually be in an area where there are wolves close by but you do not realize it because wouldn’t hear them. Many wolf experts say that using body language allows wolves to communicate better than howling in which we are familiar with. You will instantly notice a change in the body of a wolf when it feels threatened. Their eyes are opened widely and their tails straight up. Their ears will boldly raise and they will stiff their legs in a manner where they indicate that they are ready to defend themselves at any cost.

Even pups have ways to tell adult if there is something wrong by using body language. An example is when the pup nips on its mouth which only means that they are hungry. As soon as the adult see the pups nipping their mouth, they quickly bring up meat from other wolves in the pack. Another example is when pups rub their bodies and leave scents on older wolves. This is actually an affectionate indication and their way in showing that they are content within the pack. It implies that they have been well cared for and well looked after. Pups are very similar to children. Isn’t it when a child adores and loves you they give you hugs and kisses?

Pups also play with the adult wolves. You will observe that they roll around and wrestle, bite gently, lay on their backs and use their paws in wrestling. It is a way for adult wolves to train their pups to learn self defense and help them get stronger. During such play, the pup may test and push the limits of the adult. The adult will then make a body language that will indicate that the pup has gone too far and it has to stop playing around. For if the adult wolf wouldn’t do this, the pup will continue pushing the limits.

When there are disputes within a wolf pack, the alpha may have to demonstrate to the lower ranking wolf who is in charge. This low ranking wolf will rethink its position and lie low as a way of apologizing to the alpha and the pack. But it is very rare that there would be fights within packs. Have you realized that wolf packs are very identical to a family’s household? Remember and keep in mind that apologizing and putting down our pride wouldn’t hurt rather it will serve as a way to fix disputes and conflicts amongst us.

Pack Leadership and Structure

A pack of wolves generally consists of a dominant (alpha) pair; an person or a couple following in significance and most probably replacing the present alphas (referred to as the beta pair); next in line are top ranked people, followed by one or more lower (omega) ranked wolves. The alpha pair commands the entire group, while the beta couple directs the mid-level wolves, and the mid-level and lower-level adults take over the remaining pack members. While the two ends of the pack hierarchy tend not to differ, the average rank is more socially dynamic, except in instances of injury or death. The wolf pups stay outside this complicated ranking scheme until the era of sexual maturity, while women play equally ranked men in second fiddle.

The dominant wolf, as is the case with a leader, displays an attitude and position to match his position – standing tall, holding elevated head and tail, and erect ears. The alpha also calls for significant privileges – such as the right to feast on prey in front of other pack members. Less dominant wolves will behave submissively towards the alpha; they will loosen the muzzle of their leader, often lower their bodies, and lower their heads, tails, and ears. But the omega wolf’s life is far more difficult. Their function is to behave as the “social glue”, giving light relief through encouraging play periods within the volatile pack, and calming others in moments of dispute. The omega often performs the scapegoat’s part, frequently tolerating the remaining pack’s absence of account. Usually they’re also the last to be permitted to feed.

The Lone Wolf Myth

There are often conflicts within the ranks, and sometimes a wolf is driven by his own accord from the pack or leaves – becoming a so-called solitary wolf. However, just as the old saying goes, there is power in numbers, although wolves can hunt alone, they are much more effective when jointly hunting as a team because they work together as one, smart unit to bring their prey down. Also, the pack is vital to give significance to the animals’ life. Like a family, the wolf pack is a social unit; and it is the absence of social affiliation and structure that the lone wolf endures, meaning that its lonely existence does not hold the charm that is often attributed to it. It’s a hard, lonely life and a steady struggle for survival. Hunting wolves in a pack can easily evoke fear and anxiety emotions. However, it is precisely this act of cooperation – working towards a common goal of self-preservation – as well as their complicated community structure, and the use of body language and howls to covey the pack’s laws that makes us pause and reflect on the size of their intelligence and the depth of their feelings.

Written by James Miranda

2. A wolf that has been driven off or has left the pack are called lone wolves. Lone wolves don’t make scent marks and they rarely howl. They hunt alone and prefer to live off on small rodents.

3. Wolves create powerful social bonds and close ties. They often show profound affection for their family and may even sacrifice its own life just for the sake of its pack. Extreme loyalty and devotion binds the wolves together as a unit.

4. The breeding season of wolves is only during the season of winter. They lay their pups in late April or early May. There are usually four to six pups in one liter. The pup liter is an underground hole or den. Pups grow fast and by their first winter, they already have a size of an adult wolf. But wolves are considered fully grown by the time they are two years old.

5. Wolves are very loyal and tremendously faithful to their partners. Once a wolf has found its mate, they usually stay together for life. They are even willing to die for their pups just to protect them from harm or from enemies.

6. Wolves are very territorial. They create much bigger territories than they need to survive. It’s for them to have a bigger hunting ground and have a steady provision of prey. In areas where there is a great amount of prey, the territorial size of a pack is smaller on the other hand if there is less supply of prey then the territory of the pack is larger. 

7. One thing legendary about wolves are their hauntingly beautiful howl. They use howls as means of communicating. Communal howls are howls that sends territorial messages to other packs. It may be answered by the rival pack. They may even use their howls to make contact with lone wolves.

8. Did you know that a wolf paw print or a wolves’ average foot size is comparable to an adult human hand? Its size is about four inches wide and five inches long.

9. Native Indians did not hunt wolves because they believed that the pack would exact revenge on them or it will bring them bad luck. They believed that weapons used to kill a wolf is cursed and that the weapon would never work properly again.

10. Did you know that wolves also contribute in the balance of the ecosystem? They help keep the balance of the population of some animals like elks and deers. The remains of their prey also help in the distribution of nutrients and provide food for other wildlife species that are having a hard time hunting for food like grizzly bears and scavengers.

Written by James Miranda

Many indigenous American cultures believe that at the moment of birth an individual is allocated an animal. Native American zodiac symbols and features for each are viewed below.

Otter  (January 20 - February 18)

A bit quirky and unorthodox, sometimes the Otter is difficult to figure out. Otter techniques, perceived as unconventional, are not the first to be selected to do the work. This is a large error on the part of others – because the techniques of the Otter are generally quite efficient, although unconventional. Yes, the Otter has an extraordinary way to look at stuff, but he / she is fitted with a wonderful imagination and intelligence that allows an advantage over each other. The Otter often makes a very nice friend, very perceptive and intuitive, and can be very attentive. The Otter is delicate, compassionate, brave, loyal and frank in a nurturing setting. The Otter can be unscrupulous, lewd, rebellious, and secluded on his / her own devices.

Wolf   (February 19 – March 20)

The Wolf is the lover of the zodiac in both the physical and philosophical sense of the term, deeply emotional and completely enthusiastic. The Wolf knows that love is all we need, and is able to provide it completely. Juxtaposed with his / her fierce autonomy – this symbol of indigenous American animals is in terms of a contradiction. Need his / her liberty, yet still being soft and sympathetic – with this sign we get the image of the "solitary wolf." The Wolf is extremely enthusiastic, generous, deeply affectionate, and gentle in a nurturing setting. The Wolf may become impractical, recalcitrant, obsessive, and vindictive on his / her own devices.

Hawk  (March 21 – April 19)

A natural born leader, the Hawk can always be seen in sticky circumstances for clear judgement. Moreover, the features of this Native American animal symbol never waste time, but it strikes while the iron is warm and acts in what needs to be done. The Hawk is a gem of a character to have for projects or team sports, always persistent and always taking the initiative. On the conceited side, the Hawk may be a little bit – but in his / her views he / she is generally correct – so a little arrogance is understood. The Hawk "soars" in his / her capacity to retain enthusiasm and fire in interactions in a supportive environment and remains sympathetic at all times. The Falcon can be vain, rude, intolerant, impatient, and over-sensitive, leaving it to its own devices.

Beaver  (April 20 – May 20)

Taking charge, adapting, overcoming – this is the motto of the Beaver. Mostly business, with maximum effectiveness and aplomb, the Beaver gets the work done. The Beaver's strategic and cunning is a force to be counted on in business and combat matters. One might believe twice about getting the Beaver into a game of wits as well – as his / her mental acuity is sharp razor. The Beaver has everything going for him / her – but tendencies towards "my manner or the road" have difficulty getting them. Yes, they generally are correct, but this Native American animal symbol's bearer may need to work on tact. The Beaver can be sympathetic, generous, helpful and faithful in a nurturing setting. The Beaver may be nervous, cowardly, possessive, arrogant, and over-demanding on his / her own instruments.

Stag/Dear  (May 21 – June 20)

This symbol of the Native American animal is the zodiac muse. The Deer is a vibrant and fast-witted inspiration. The Deer has a tendency to get a laugh from anyone with a tailor-made humor. The Deer is an accomplished conversationalist, excellent vocalizing capacity. Together with his / her natural intelligence, this makes the Deer a must-have guest at dinner parties. The Deer can be a bit self-involved, always conscious of his / her environment, and even more conscious of his / her appearance. However, due to his / her congeniality and affability, the Deer's narcissism is ignored. The natural liveliness and sparkly character of the Deer radiate even more in a supportive setting. In any nurturing connection, he / she is an inspirational force. The Deer can be selfish, moody, impatient, lazy, and two-faced to his / her own devices.

Woodpecker  (June 21 – July 21)

Woodpeckers are the most nutritious of all the symbols of Native American animals. The consummate listener, completely empathetic and comprehension, the Woodpecker is the one to have when you need assistance on your side. They create great parents, of course, as well as great friends and associates alike. The tendency to be naturally frugal, resourceful, and structured is another proverbial feather in the cap of Woodpeckers. The Woodpecker is naturally caring, dedicated, and very romantic in a nurturing setting. The Woodpecker can be possessive, angry, jealous, and spiteful on his / her own devices.

Salmon  (July 22 – August 22)

The Salmon is a true live-wire, electric, concentrated, intuitive, and entirely creative. His energy is tangible. The trust and passion of the Salmon is readily infectious as a natural motivator. Soon, with the Salmon, everyone is on board –even though the concept seems too hair-brained to work. Generous, smart and intuitive, it's no wonder why there's no shortage of friends in the Salmon. This Native American animal symbol reflects a need for purpose and objectives and has no difficulty in finding volunteers for their private crusades. The Salmon is stable, calm, sensual and offering in a supportive atmosphere. Left to their own device, those bearing this Native American animal symbol may be other people's egotistical, vulgar, and intolerant.

Bear  (August 23 – September 21)

The Bear is pragmatic and methodical when it is necessary to call a constant hand. Convenience and level-headedness make him / her an outstanding company partner. Usually the voice of reason is a nice balance for Owls in most situations. The Bear is also endowed with a huge core and a generosity inclination. It may not be known, though, as the Bear tends to be very humble, and a little shy. This Native American animal symbol showers in return love and kindness in a loving setting. The Bear also has the ability to be patient and temperate, making him / her great teachers and mentors. The bear can be skeptical, slothy, small-minded and reclusive on its own appliances.

Raven  (September 22 – October 22)

The Raven is quite the charmer, highly passionate, and a natural entrepreneur. But in being charming he / she doesn't have to work – it comes readily. Everyone acknowledges that Raven exudes effortless energy, and for their thoughts and views, everyone turns to the Raven. The reason for this is that the Raven is both idealistic and diplomatic and quite ingenious. This Native American animal symbol is easy-going in nurturing environments, it can be romantic and soft-spoken. The Raven can also be quite patient and in interactions intuitive. The Crow can be demanding, inconsistent, vindictive, and abrasive left to its own devices.

Snake  (October 23 – November 22)

Under this Native American animal symbol, most shamans are born. The Snake is natural in all spiritual matters. The Snake is an outstanding spiritual leader, easily tuned to the etheric domain. The Snake also excels in medical jobs, respected for his / her healing abilities. Snake-sign concern about intangible issues often leads others to see them as mysterious and sometimes scary. True, the Snake can be secretive and a little dark – he / she is delicate and caring as well. The cool Snake can be enthusiastic, inspirational, humorous, and useful in a supportive relationship. The Snake can be despondent, violent, and susceptible to unusual mood swings, leaving his / her own device.

Owl  (November 23 – December 21)

Changing and changing like the wind, the Owl is hard to pin down. The Owl is friend to the globe, warm, natural, with an easy-going nature. The bearer of this Native American animal symbol is known to engage in complete velocity life, and wholehearted adventure loves. This may be detrimental to him / her as the Owl may be reckless, careless, and thoughtless. Owls are making excellent artists, educators, and conservatives. Because of its adaptability and versatility, however, the Owl would probably excel in any job. The Owl is delicate, passionate, and an attentive listener in a supportive, nurturing setting. Left to his / her own devices, the Owl may be excessive, overindulgent, bitter, and aggressive.

Goose  (December 22 – January 19)

If you want to do something, give it to the Goose. The Goose sets objectives for achievement, persevering, dogged, and ambitious to a fault, and always achieves them. The goose is determined to succeed at all costs – not for other people's consent – but those with this Native American animal symbol compete with their own inner enemy. Driven is the watchword for the dominant personality trait of the Goose – making them outstanding in company and competitive sports. The Goose excels in everything he / she tries when combined with supportive, nurturing family and friends. The Goose may be very enthusiastic, funny, gregarious, and even seductive in a loving setting. However, the goose may fall into obsessive or addictive behaviors that will eventually be his / her demise.

I hope you liked these symbols of indigenous American animals. Continue learning by browsing other articles on this website. Thank you for reading, and enjoy exploring!

Written by James Miranda

The gravity of the fire have reached an unbelievable record already destroying 83% of the rain forest, to give you an idea of that size it’s larger than a few countries like Japan, Philippines and Korea. The bigger problem we as a species is about to face is that we’re going to start losing breathable air because this rain forest approximately 20% of the planet’s oxygen. We might not be feeling the effects yet but there are those who are, the animals and the Amazon tribe that live in that forest. Hundreds of thousands of wildlife like wolves, snakes, orangutans and different kinds of plants have made that rain forest their home. The different Amazon tribes who have lived and thrived there have not only made sure to keep the balance between man, beast and nature but have also fought hard to protect this place and its inhabitants. A few years ago an Amazon tribe worked hard to make sure that the Amazon was protected legally against corrupt government officials and palm oil corporations who have been eyeing this vast land to sell and turn into farmland. Planning on displacing not only the indigenous people who have made it their home for hundreds of years but also possibly ruining the lives of the wildlife of that area. Yes, the Amazon tribe won the case and gained rights to preserve the rain forest but then the fire started happening. Problem is it just didn’t start happening, the Brazilian government along with the million dollar corporations actually started the fire. They made sure that the fire was big enough and would spread fast enough before word gets out and before help arrived.

The big news companies have hardly covered the story and we don’t have all the facts but all we know is the Amazon rain forest is burning, it’s burning fast and that we are losing a lot of lives in the process. Lives of animals and plants that have nowhere to run and no idea of why this is happening to them. Animals who were quietly living their lives in their homes just minding their own business their lives end just because some people thought they didn’t deserve the land they lived on. We think this is wrong. No amount of reasoning can ever make this right, so we ask you to spread the word. Let the world know, our Amazon rain forest is burning and we need everyone’s help. Do what you have to do, donate to groups that are working on stopping the fire, share information and updates on social media about the status of the fire, take part in making those responsible accountable for the death of the rain forest and the wildlife. Help to inform the world, help to stop the fire, help to make sure this does not happen again.