Ranks and Roles
Alpha - The leaders of a wolf pack are the alpha male and the alpha female, often distinguishable by their raised tails. Being parents of most of the other pack members, the alpha pair hold the allegiance of the rest of the pack. They maintain this allegiance by continually asserting themselves over their ®offspring¯ from birth through maturation. For example, on small kills, yearling and other subordinate pack members can only feed by deferring to the alpha pair and often begging from them. Alpha animals are usually mature adults, and they can hold their alpha position for as long as eight years. When traveling, the alpha male usually heads the wolf pack and chooses the route, but the alpha female is close to him in line.
Beta - A beta male lowers his head and tail when around the alpha pair to let them know he will obey them.
Subordinate - These are usually young animals, but occasionally are former alphas who have lost their positions. If they remain with the pack, subordinates play a strong and important role in helping care for and feed the ®pups¯. An unknowing observer watching subordinates around a den would be unable to distinguish their behavior from that of the actual parents. At times, the nurturing by these subordinate helpers may even allow more ®pups¯ to survive.
Omega or Scapegoat - In large packs of wolves, there is often a lowest-ranking member who becomes the focus of the pack's social aggression. Referred to by behaviorists as the "omega" wolf, this animal seems to be a scapegoat and may actually become an outright outcast. This may be part of the process by which pack members disperse and become independent, rather than remain at the bottom of the pecking order or on the fringes of the pack. A scapegoat keeps its ®fur¯ and ®ears¯ flattened, its body close to the ground and its tail often tucked between its ®legs¯.
Lone Wolf - A young adult which has left the pack. It may find a new, suitable place to live and mate.
