Website review: wolfbehavior :: All you need to kno...
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xineann discovered 4 months ago
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The assumption is often made that some wolves are born "alphas" and that others are inherently subservient. This is not necessarily true, nor is it true that the alpha wolves are the largest, strongest or fastest wolves in the pack. In the wild, subservient wolves often disperse from their natal packs when they are about two years old, and should such a disperser find a mate and breed, it will become an "alpha" wolf over its offspring. In addition, the dominance hierarchy within a wolf pack can change if one member of the pack passes away, or another wolf joins the pack. Wolf pack hierarchy can change during the mating season, when interactions, both aggressive and friendly ones, between the animals becomes more intense than normal. Ritualistic fights become more frequent, though wolves rarely injure each other during conflicts....
Wolves use a variety of facial gestures and body postures to show where they stand in the pack's hierarchy. The position of a wolf's tail can be used to tell whether or not it is a dominant wolf or a subservient wolf. During social interactions, the alpha wolves of a pack generally hold their tails up very high, and the subservient wolves keep their tails hanging down. Very low ranking wolves will hold their tails between their legs or curved alongside their legs, and subservient wolves often tuck their tails between their legs when approaching an alpha wolf to show that they acknowledge the alpha wolf's place in the pack's hierarchy. The position of a wolf's tail can also be used to tell what kind of a mood it's in. A confident wolf holds its tail up high, and a frightened wolf will hold its tail between its legs. The normal position for a wolf's tail is down, and wolves typically hold their tails this way when relaxed.
The position of a wolf's ears can also be used to tell where it stands in the pack's hierarchy or how it is feeling. Alpha wolves always keep their ears erect, while lower ranking wolves often keep them flattened, particularly when they approach an alpha wolf. A wolf who is feeling cautious or apologetic will hold its ears back against its head, and a happy, confident or playful wolf will hold its ears high and erect. A wolf that wants to threaten another will hold its ears forward.... All of the guard hairs on a wolf's body will stand on end if it is trying to threaten another wolf, and it will also raise its upper lip to bear its teeth.
If a subservient wolf tries to resist the authority of an alpha wolf, the alpha will try to get the subservient wolf to submit. Sometimes, the alpha will only need to give a stern stare to the rebellious wolf. The dominant wolf may have to growl and bare its teeth at the rebellious wolf or it may crouch on the ground as if it were going to pounce on the offender. A dominant wolf may also hold the muzzle of a subordinate wolf to assert its authority A dominant animal may also place its front paws across the shoulders of a subordinate animal or try to stand over it to assert its authority. When the subordinate wolf is ready to submit, it will lie on the ground and expose its side and belly to the alpha wolf....
Aggressive encounters between females often occur during the mating season, as the alpha female of a wolf pack often becomes quite aggressive towards subordinate females during this time. She will physically assault any females who attempt to copulate with a male. Dominant males will also disrupt any subordinate males who attempt to mate with a female. Serious injuries, however, are quite rare.
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