What is it with wolves and <the> howling?

[VicNicSor]

Rabbit Jude and fox Nick are watching footage of two wolves capturing a jaguar. Nick:
-- Bet you a nickel one of them is gonna howl. [both wolves start howling] And there it is. What is it with wolves and the howling? It's like...
Zootopia, cartoon

I think "the" refers to a wolf's houling, not someone else's or houling in general. Is that right? Thanks.

 

[Enquiring Mind]

Hi Vic, yes, the use of "the howling" means it is clearly referring to the wolves' howling - the howling that wolves do. If it was any other kind of howling, that would be "first mention" and no "assumed context" and therefore couldn't justify the definite article.

 

[VicNicSor]

Hi, EM, thanks !