Well, if you actually research it and become obsessed with wolves like me, you'll realise that they are several ranks each with a certain job that moulds the pack.
First in rank are the Alpha Pair - or sometimes just a Alpha. Alphas are almost always mates, and usually they are the only ones to mate too.
Second are the Betas, Gammas and Deltas - fancy names for the supporters, close relatives and 'chums' of the alphas. If anyone else is going to mate, it will most likely be these wolves.
Third is the Sentinel, or the peace keeper. The put themselves into fights to end them, and are often badly injured - they are respected as much as the alphas, and almost every wolf listens to them. They can be any gender, and there can be more than one - but usually just a single wolf.
The rest ranks all share jobs - they are the subordinate wolves. They help in hunts, patrol territory, help in fights, support the alpha pair and their cubs, and other things.
The others that generally have 'no rank' are the elderly wolves, the young cubs, and omegas who are generally the most important wolf in the pack. All tension is taken out on them - without an omega, wolves in a pack would take their aggression, depression and fear out on each other. Omegas tend to be really old wolves, or young wolves without a rank yet, or are about to leave the pack.
There is also the nanny who is most often an elderly wolf, or the sister of a pregnant wolf, who will help, support and defend the pregnant wolf and her cubs. This is an honored rank, and isn't to be turned a nose up at. You must have a very good relationship with the females in the pack to be at this rank.
Hope this helps!
First in rank are the Alpha Pair - or sometimes just a Alpha. Alphas are almost always mates, and usually they are the only ones to mate too.
Second are the Betas, Gammas and Deltas - fancy names for the supporters, close relatives and 'chums' of the alphas. If anyone else is going to mate, it will most likely be these wolves.
Third is the Sentinel, or the peace keeper. The put themselves into fights to end them, and are often badly injured - they are respected as much as the alphas, and almost every wolf listens to them. They can be any gender, and there can be more than one - but usually just a single wolf.
The rest ranks all share jobs - they are the subordinate wolves. They help in hunts, patrol territory, help in fights, support the alpha pair and their cubs, and other things.
The others that generally have 'no rank' are the elderly wolves, the young cubs, and omegas who are generally the most important wolf in the pack. All tension is taken out on them - without an omega, wolves in a pack would take their aggression, depression and fear out on each other. Omegas tend to be really old wolves, or young wolves without a rank yet, or are about to leave the pack.
There is also the nanny who is most often an elderly wolf, or the sister of a pregnant wolf, who will help, support and defend the pregnant wolf and her cubs. This is an honored rank, and isn't to be turned a nose up at. You must have a very good relationship with the females in the pack to be at this rank.
Hope this helps!
