Everyone knows that wolves howl, but most people don't know why. Many people are afraid of wolves and have many misconceptions about them. Upon hearing a wolf howl, these people describe it as blood-curdling or melancholy.
Wolves use a number of different howls.
One of the most often used is a call to reassemble when the pack has become scattered. This howl is a deep, loud, and guttural sound often with a few barks. After a long chase the pack is often widely scattered and needs to reassemble. Wolves don't howl during a hunt. A howl of sheer joy is often heard as a pack gathers or just before the pack sets out on a hunt.