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WOLF INFORMATION

The wolf is the largest wild dog. It has a strong, well muscled body and is strong enough to move a frozen moose carcass. Wolves are capable of running at speeds of 56–64 km (34–38 miles) per hour in bursts of 10 to 20 minutes and can leap as far as 15 feet in a single bound. Their strong legs are capable of jogging indefinitely and wolves often travel great distances following herds. Their jaws and teeth are incredibly tough, capable of creating enough pressure to break through bones. Their muzzles are long and well developed and their ears are pricked up.

Wolves are covered with thick, dense fur with an under layer of furs (called guard hairs) which helps to protect the wolf against harsh weather and freezing temperatures. These guard hairs generally shed in the spring and grow back in in the autumn. Male and female wolves look very similar, though males are generally larger (on average, 10 pounds heavier). Adult wolves are generally 41–63 inches in length and 32–34 inches at the shoulder. The tail is two-thirds the length of the head and body! Wolf weight tends to vary; on average, European wolves weigh around 38.5 kilograms or 85 pounds. Wolf pelts can range from snowy white to almost black. Wolves generally live up to 9 years in the wild.

The various stages of a wolf's life (on Torva) are as follows:
  • Newborn (0 - 2 mo) - Newborns are dependent upon their parents. They stay within the boundaries of their pack.
  • Pup (3 mo - 7 mo) - Although pups can now explore territories on their own, they are required to remain in the pack of their birth as they are unable to adequately hunt on their own. Pups are allowed to train in a task, but are unable to hold a rank of official task in their pack.
  • Adolescent (8 mo - 2 yr) - These wolves are not yet sexually mature, but are full grown (or nearly full grown). They are able to hunt on their own and train more extensively in a task if they are in a pack. They may swap packs or become a loner, however, they are unable to lead a pack of their own.
  • Adult (2 yr - 6 yr) - Wolves of these ages are in their prime. They can hold any rank within a pack and have an official task. They are also able to create a pack or challenge for leadership of a pack. These wolves are also now sexually mature and can breed.
  • Elder - (7 yr - death) - Elders can hold any position within a pack, though they are usually challenged for leadership or pass leadership on to other members in the pack. They are generally very respected, although they are less able to function on their own. They can be loners, but it is recommended they find a pack. These wolves are also past the point of being able to breed.

Information from wikipedia.

Wolf Species

Here is a list of species that are allowed on Torva:
  • Gray
  • Canadian Timber
  • Mackenzie Valley
  • Mexican
  • Red
  • Eurasian
  • European
  • Arctic
  • Tundra
  • Great Plains
  • British Colombian
  • Rocky Mountain
  • Other subspecies may be accepted, as long as they are not extinct.
          Note: Maned wolves are not accepted.

Wolf Body Proportions

Wolf Body Measurements
Physique	Height	Weight	Length
Extra Small	19 - 22in	55 - 69 lbs	4.5 - 4.9ft
Small	23 - 28in	70 - 79 lbs	5.0 - 5.4ft
Medium	29 - 32in	80 - 94 lbs	5.5 - 5.9ft
Large	33 - 36in	95 - 109 lbs	6.0 - 6.4ft
Extra Large	37 - 40in	110 - 125 lbs	6.5 - 7.0ft

          * You can acquire an extra large body size by genetics or by purchase with points (see here)

Natural Coloring

Fur markings and colors should be kept semi realistic given the current color options. If the staff feel that your character does not have natural markings, they will ask you for a picture to clarify it - if you can not find a picture with the appropriate markings then you will be asked to alter the appearance a bit.

We accept the following fur colors upon joining:
  • White
  • Cream
  • Silver / Gray
  • Beige / Tan
  • Brown
  • Black

The following fur colors require points: (see here)
  • Gold
  • Mahogany
  • Russet / Red

We accept the following eye colors upon joining:
       
 • Brown   • Gold   • Orange   • Green   • Blue

The following eye colors require points: (see here)
     
 • Gray   • Violet   • Aquamarine   • Pink

The following eye color is only available by purchasing an Albino: (see here)

 • Red

          * Dual colored eyes can be purchased for points (see here)

[Administrator]

DOMINANCE AND SUBMISSION

In the wild, wolves live in packs with specific hierarchies of power. The dominant wolf (or pair of wolves) is the alpha and they are in charge of running the pack. Every wolf in the pack is submissive to the dominant wolf/wolves, and therefore is required to show proper respect. Higher ranked wolves can exert dominance over lower ranked wolves, who are expected to submit to them. Dominant wolves will often assert their position of they feel as though a subordinate is not showing proper respect.

There are two levels of submissive behavior: active submission and passive submission. A wolf rolling onto their back and exposing vital organs is displaying passive submission, where as a wolf lowering their body and adjusting their tails are displaying active submission. Passive submission is usually displayed only when a subordinate wolf fears for his or her life.

Here are a few tips on dominance and submission! Remember: improper submission could lead to troubles for your wolf once you start roleplaying!

Showing Dominance

• A dominant wolf may raise their tail above the level of a subordinate's.
• A dominant wolf may hold their body higher than a subordinate's.
• A dominant wolf may raise their ears higher than a subordinate's.
• A dominant wolf may stare into a subordinate's eyes; this gesture is considered very bold.

Note: Blinking while making eye contact is a neutral gesture and is not considered either dominance or submission

• A dominant wolf may scent mark a subordinate by rubbing their body against the subordinate or urinating upon them.
• Growling may often indicate dominance.
• A dominant wolf may take a subordinate wolf's muzzle in their mouth. This is generally a corrective behavior.
• Dominate wolves get to eat first from a kill and have their choice of meat.

Showing Submission

• A subordinate wolf's tail should be lower than their superior's.
• A subordinate may lower their body to show respect to a superior. The lower the body, the more they are submitting.

Note: Wolves may roll onto their backs to expose their stomachs and throats, the most vulnerable parts of their body, as an act of extreme submission to a superior. This is generally done when the subordinate fears for their life.

• Subordinates should not stare challengingly into a superior's eyes. This gesture indicates a challenge has been made. Usually the submissive wolf will avert their eyes, though sometimes they will blink to show they are not challenging the other wolf.
• A subordinate's ears may be lower than a superior's.
• A subordinate may paw at the ground in the presence of a superior.
• A subordinate may urinate on the ground in the presence of a superior.
• Whining may often indicate submissiveness.
• A subordinate may tuck their tail to their belly to indicate submission.
• Nuzzling a ranked wolf may be a sign of submission.
• A subordinate may lick the superior's chin/muzzle to display submission.
• Subordinates select their meat after those ranked higher than them. Pups are fed last.

Tail Postures
	This high tail position indicates that the wolf is a dominant individual, most likely an alpha male or female. The head is held high, with the ears forward to draw attention to the muzzle
	This horizontal, stiffly held tail position indicates that the wolf is going to attack, or is hunting.
	The wagging of a wolf's tail in this manner indicates that the wolf is relaxed.
	This somewhat drooped tail position indicates that the wolf is relatively relaxed.
	This drooped tail position indicates that the wolf is even more relaxed.
	This half tail tuck along with a partially arched back indicated that a wolf is humbling itself to a more dominant wolf and is a form of submission.
	This fully tucked tail along with a highly arched back shows that a wolf is extremely in fear of something and is another form of submission. Again the ears are pulled back.

Body Postures
	This body position is of a wolf when it is defensive or is feeling threatened.
	The body position of the wolf laying down is an example of a wolf being passive submissive.
	The wolf on the left side of this illustration demonstrates the way a wolf looks when it is in active submission. The submissive wolf will make itself small, pull its ears back, and lick underside of the muzzle of the dominant wolf.
	This shows how a young wolf would submit to a fully dominant wolf. This also shows how a wolf may go about showing dominance.
Images by the Timber Wolf Information Network

[Administrator]

Breeding And Birthing

Maturity is Needed

Because Torva is a realistic wolf roleplay, and breeding is apart of life, you're allowed to write out your character's breeding. It's your option. If you and your fellow roleplayer feel comfortable with RPing the mating, then feel free to do so - just make sure you mark the thread with [m] for Mature Content.

For those members that are not comfortable with playing this out, a simple thread stating that the pair are intending to breed and then fading out is fine. There is no pressure, it's up to you.

Mating

Mating can occur anytime, year round. Pregnancy in wolves lasts for 2 months.

Usually only one pair, the Alpha pair, are given the privilege to mate. If you are thinking of breeding your character, please make sure you are aware of the rules listed below:

1) A pair must have completed at least 5 In Character threads together. They do not all have to be one on one.

2) If your wolf is in a pack it would be wise to ask permission of their Alpha to breed, if they do not, they are likely to be punished. Breeding is a privilege not a right. Alphas have every right to remove parents from the pack or even kill the newborn pups.

3) If you are thinking of forced-breeding (ie, rape) please contact the staff first. This is to keep numbers under control. We do not want it to be seen too often.

If you are qualified to breed and have started a mating thread you may reply to THIS thread to apply for pups. This is also where the litter size will be determined.

NOTE The breeding thread should be complete in time to start the birthing thread.

Litter Sizes

Litter Sizes
Father	Mother	Pups
Alpha	Alpha	3 - 4
Beta	Beta	2 - 4
Subordinate	Subordinate	2 - 3
Loner	Pack	1 - 2
Pack	Loner	0 - 1
Loner	Loner	0 - 1

Forced-Breeding

0 - 1

Birthing

A few weeks prior to the birth the mother will grow increasingly agitated and may not move away from her den for a number of days.

Pups are born 2 IC months after your breeding thread's date.

Puppy Development

The pups, which weigh about 0.5-kilogram (1 lb) at birth, are born blind, deaf, and completely dependent on their mother. At 3 weeks of age pups will begin exploring outside the den for the first time, remaining close to the den entrance. Pups are playable at 3 weeks of age. Shortly after their hearing will develop and milk teeth will begin to emerge. At 5 weeks pups will begin the weaning process and will also explore up to a mile away from the den if accompanied by an adult.

By 8 weeks the pups will be moved from the den and will begin eating solid food that has been provided to them by the adults. By 10 weeks their milk teeth have fully emerged and the pups are fully weaned. It is at this age that their eye colour gradually changes from blue to their adult eye colour. At this age pups can begin exploring areas further away from the pack territory.

Wolves reach around adult size at 1 year of age and are sexually mature at 2 years.