Why do wolves howl?
For grown-ups: the science
Wolves howl to stay in touch with their family and let other wolves know where they are.
Wolves howl primarily for long-distance communication with pack members, including assembling, locating one another, and maintaining social bonds. Group howling can also advertise a pack’s presence and territory, which may reduce close encounters with neighboring packs. Howls are not caused by the moon; wolves may be more visible or active at night, but they also howl during the day.
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Transcript
A wolf lifts its nose toward the moonlit sky. Why does it make that long, round sound?
Wolves howl to call to their family when they are far apart. The sound can travel a long way through the woods.
A wolf may howl to help its family find where it is. Other wolves can howl back with their own voices.
Wolves also howl together to tell other wolf families, “This place is taken.” It helps them avoid meeting too closely.
So wolves howl to talk across big spaces. Their howls help their family stay in touch.