Post by Sicarius on Sept 17, 2006 18:37:26 GMT -5
NOTE: This informations is copyrighted by Shaun Ellis and Monty Sloan, who wrote the book Spirit of the Wolf, so kudos to them.
"The close-knit pack, usually consisting of eight to twelve animals, comprises a pair of high-ranking individuals known as the alpha male and female. These two lead the pack, but contrary to previous supposition, are not always the largest wolves. They make all the necessary, decisions to protect the pack and its territory, and in return they are usually the only two animals the breed. The alpha can be identified by both its posture and bold coat markings. Alphas are not always the biggest and boldest animals in the pack, but they do have a piercing stare and bold attitude.
Second in the ranks to the alpha pair are the betas, which are also usually a pair of animals, where number permit, which hold disciplinary positions within the family. Betas are easy to recognize because they are often the biggest and boldest animals in the pack; they rely on their strength to establish pack rules passed down by the alpha pair.
Lower in rank than the betas is a group known as the mid-ranking wolves, which are usually led by a pair of more dominant wolves: the female teaches and disciplines subordinate females and the male preforms the same role with the male wolves. These animals receive information from the alpha pair via the betas. In large pack of wolves with up to 15 animals, this line of communication is vital in order for the alpha pair to retain control.
The main duty of the mid-ranking wolves is to create the illusion that there are more wolves in the pack than there actually are. This is done in several ways and heps the pack defend its territory. The mod-ranking wolves vary their diet so that their scent-markings never remain the same, thus giving them the illusion of a larger number of wolves. And during howling, the mid-ranking wolves use a variety of sounds - yips, yaps, barks, whines, howls, and growls - to make it hard fir packs in neighboring territories to identify exactly how many wolves are in the pack. Mid-ranking wolves are naturally suspicious and are always aware of anything new or unfamiliar. The alpha and betas rely on them to alert the pack to any danger.
The pack is completed by the specialists: the hunters, the nannies, and the much misunderstood omega wolves. Hunters are often female as they are 20-25 percent smaller than the male wolves and therefore much faster. This gives them the ability to catch the prey or cut off the escape routes of the indented quarry. But males are also required for their strength, particularly when hunting large prey such as bison.
Nannies are specialist female or male wolves selected by the alpha female to care for and educate her pups once they are weaned, when she returns to her duties as leader of the pack.
Omega wolves are essential to the survival of the wolf pack. They are responsible for defusing tension within the pack and minimizing injury. From the age of two to three weeks, the omega pups is always the center of constant bouts of quarreling among its litter-mates. The omega learns very quickly how to attract attention toward itself by playing games and acting like a 'court jester' or clown.
"The close-knit pack, usually consisting of eight to twelve animals, comprises a pair of high-ranking individuals known as the alpha male and female. These two lead the pack, but contrary to previous supposition, are not always the largest wolves. They make all the necessary, decisions to protect the pack and its territory, and in return they are usually the only two animals the breed. The alpha can be identified by both its posture and bold coat markings. Alphas are not always the biggest and boldest animals in the pack, but they do have a piercing stare and bold attitude.
Second in the ranks to the alpha pair are the betas, which are also usually a pair of animals, where number permit, which hold disciplinary positions within the family. Betas are easy to recognize because they are often the biggest and boldest animals in the pack; they rely on their strength to establish pack rules passed down by the alpha pair.
Lower in rank than the betas is a group known as the mid-ranking wolves, which are usually led by a pair of more dominant wolves: the female teaches and disciplines subordinate females and the male preforms the same role with the male wolves. These animals receive information from the alpha pair via the betas. In large pack of wolves with up to 15 animals, this line of communication is vital in order for the alpha pair to retain control.
The main duty of the mid-ranking wolves is to create the illusion that there are more wolves in the pack than there actually are. This is done in several ways and heps the pack defend its territory. The mod-ranking wolves vary their diet so that their scent-markings never remain the same, thus giving them the illusion of a larger number of wolves. And during howling, the mid-ranking wolves use a variety of sounds - yips, yaps, barks, whines, howls, and growls - to make it hard fir packs in neighboring territories to identify exactly how many wolves are in the pack. Mid-ranking wolves are naturally suspicious and are always aware of anything new or unfamiliar. The alpha and betas rely on them to alert the pack to any danger.
The pack is completed by the specialists: the hunters, the nannies, and the much misunderstood omega wolves. Hunters are often female as they are 20-25 percent smaller than the male wolves and therefore much faster. This gives them the ability to catch the prey or cut off the escape routes of the indented quarry. But males are also required for their strength, particularly when hunting large prey such as bison.
Nannies are specialist female or male wolves selected by the alpha female to care for and educate her pups once they are weaned, when she returns to her duties as leader of the pack.
Omega wolves are essential to the survival of the wolf pack. They are responsible for defusing tension within the pack and minimizing injury. From the age of two to three weeks, the omega pups is always the center of constant bouts of quarreling among its litter-mates. The omega learns very quickly how to attract attention toward itself by playing games and acting like a 'court jester' or clown.