Read the articles and respond to the following writing prompt: Write a four to five paragraph informative essay on how animals that are descendants of wild animals keep their instincts. Use evidence from both texts to support your response.

The Wolf Among Us:

Beagles, greyhounds, German shepherds, and even cute tail-wagging poodles are all related to the same majestic wild animal, the wolf. In fact, all domestic dogs are descended from wolves. True, dogs and wolves have their own personalities, but they also have many similar traits and instincts even thousands of years can't seem to erase.

Just like the wild wolf, pet dogs exhibit many similar behaviors. For instance, a pet dog can be found spinning around and around for no apparent reason before settling down. Perhaps it's the same as the natural instinct also found in wolves where they are known to whirl around in a circle to kick up anything in their way, like bugs or debris, before they lie down.

According to legend, wolves howl at a full moon – except wolves aren't actually howling at the moon, but merely tipping their head back to howl into the sky. This call of the wild allows wolves to communicate their territory boundaries, find fellow pack members, or warn unwanted predators to keep away. Domestic dogs, like the cute French bulldog puppy, might not howl like a wolf, but they can produce a bark to gain attention or warn of danger.

Both wolves and dogs can be spotted rolling in the grass (if you're lucky), mud, or dirt. This sometimes foul-smelling habit is a way for a wolf or dog to camouflage itself so it can sneak up on its prey. A golden retriever might bury a toy, a bone, or even a shoe in a fenced-in yard, feeling the need to keep it safe even though there's no threat. This vital behavior that keeps wolves alive and ensures they have enough food to survive in the wilderness still lingers in today's puppy pals.

In the rugged wilderness, wolves must hunt to survive. An individual wolf can hunt small prey like a hare, but wolves are far more effective when working as a unit with their pack. These exceptional pack hunters can take down large prey, such as moose or deer, when collaborating and communicating as a seamless team. Wolves can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour when chasing prey, and their thick, double-coated fur keeps them warm in even the coldest arctic temperatures. Domesticated dogs may not need to hunt down a hare for lunch, but they do communicate and live with their 'pack,' the humans in their lives.

Next time you're playing fetch with your furry friend, think about its ancestor, the wolf. That pug might struggle to tackle a ball, but it gained its instincts to chase and hunt from those greatest of hunters, wolves.

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