The puppies are now developing faster and faster. Yesterday they couldn't walk properly and today they are already running around. When the mother returns to the cave, they grope towards her and harass her, to be able to drink from their teats. If they hear unfamiliar noises, they flee into one of the many corridors, which they dug under construction, and hide.
When the puppies are four weeks old, the mother brings them meat to the cave for the first time. The little wolves pounce on the pieces of food. If they can't tear off shreds of it fast enough, try to choke down whole chunks. A sibling gets in their way, they growl angrily and even bark their little ones, sharp teeth. It's a shambles, where you can only see one thing: Even very small and clumsy wolf cubs are real predators.
Has the food been eaten?, the puppies play together again. They play a lot now. They still don't differentiate between play and seriousness: Again and again they bite each other on the back, tug in the fur, tumble upside down and all over the place, he will be immediately attacked by the others, must defend himself vigorously – and is there in the next moment, to "beat up" another puppy. So the roles keep changing, as is typical of the scuffles of young animals. Wolf pups have a lot to learn and like all children, they do most of it through play.
With all their underground ventures, the puppies now come to the cave entrance. It's light there, it dazzles unusually. You also hear sounds, that they don't know: Whining sounds of big wolves, who are trying to lure them out of the cave. They also hear their mother growling. Because she still doesn't let the others go to her puppies. But it doesn't take long, until she's less strict. One of the younger ones finally takes courage, Ignores the alpha wolf's threats and crawls into the cave.
The puppies retreat into their narrow passages and hide. But since the smell and the whining sounds are familiar to them, one after the other carefully sticks his head out again. Soon everyone will be there and sniff the intruder. Their little tails wag, when they burrow their snouts into his fur. They climb around on him, tugging at his fur and licking his face. Confidence in one of the larger wolves, who strives for direct contact with them, is caught.
Another chapter in the life of the puppies is over and a new one begins. They are now a good four weeks old and growing faster every day.
The "Babysitters"
Not just for the puppies, life is also changing for the other pack members, when the puppies come out of the den. From now on everyone is jointly responsible for the offspring. It applies, get a lot of fodder, because the puppies are always hungry.
Every evening the hunters of the pack go out. The alpha wolf is also back, younger, especially the boys from last year, stay behind with the puppies as "babysitters".. This results in a division of labor in the rearing of the puppies.
Do the minders hear the puppies cry, come over here immediately. While some play patiently with the puppies and let their fur and tail be pulled, keep the others on the lookout for danger. Notice something suspicious, all you need is a soft woof and the puppies quickly disappear into the den. You don't need any experience to make this warning sound, they are innate to flee immediately upon receiving this signal.