Communication   Home Habitat Hunting and Food Social Behavior Communication Howling Courtship and Mating Birthing and Maturation Parenting Management Literature Communication is achieved in several ways, including body language and vocalization. Tail and facial expressions can communicate anything from a submissive demeanor to fear to aggression. Vocalization, as with domestic dogs, includes howling, barking, whimpering and growling. Each of these types of vocalization have several different meanings depending how and when they are performed. The whimper is thought to be a friendly call or a greeting of sorts (C&F 469). Whining is usually done by females and is commonly associated with solicitude of offspring or done when a bitch is in heat . It is also done when a subordinate feels insecure when approached by a dominate (Mech 95). Growling is a sign of aggression or a warning to other wolves or intruders.(C&F 469, Mech 96) The bark is thought to be many things from excitement to an alarm, but most commonly there are said to be to types of barks. The first is the alarm, which is a short and abruptly concluded bark. The second is the threat or warning bark. This bark is prolonged and has a definite pattern to it (Mech 97). Finally, the most well known form of communication among wolves is the howl. The howl is such a diverse form of communication that it will be discussed in its own section.