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Sean V.

Mrs. Gonzalez

Enc101 (11:00)

Informative essay

10/14/13

Wolf Pack Structure

According to Conger, "Before many American Children know how to tie their shoes, they learn one thing: Wolves are scary" (Conger). For centuries the wolf has captured the imagination of different cultures and rooted itself in scientific intrigue; its pack structure, hunting efficiency, breeding, keen senses, and leisure identify characteristics of the carnivore. Modern science and documentation have unmasked wolves from a superstitious spectre of horror to a structured, functioning family. In order for a pack to be successful each wolf must take on a specific role.

The chief of the pack, known as the alpha male, can be identified by the bold facial markings centered on the muzzle, ears and eyes. Also distinguishing, is the bold outline on the alpha's hackles (the hairs along the backbone) and dark line extending down the back to the base of the tail, and the potent scent it carries from consuming the most valuable organs of a prey, such as the heart and liver. Whenever a pack of wolves howl, the alpha shows high status by doing so in a low tone, and will stop for short periods of time to listen to the pack in order to determine if they should move on or not. The same pitch modulation is found in the alpha female, which is the alpha male's chosen mate, and second in the alpha pair. A recent study by the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria evidences the Alpha's influence on group howling, "Howls can be emitted by a single wolf or simultaneously by several pack members and seem to be flexibly adjusted to the social environment, since howling patterns differ with pack size or the presence or absence of the dominant individual" (Range).

Second in the hierarchy is beta wolves, the biggest and boldest animals in the pack. Their spine markings are bold like the alpha but they are broken up and not continuous. The primary function of the beta wolves are disciplinary enforcers and warriors, and are given second food priority during meals in order to retain energy for hunts and territory disputes. According to the Wolf Information and Learning Center in Ronkonkoma, New York, "the beta male may attempt to mate with the alpha female during mating season and the alpha male must chase him away to make sure he doesn't" (Wolf Behavior). Often the Beta wolf will challenge the alpha for dominance, but in more social functions such as howling, the beta will howl for approximately three to four times longer than the alpha to give a vigorous cohesion of the group gesture.

Under the alpha pair and beta wolves is the mid-ranking wolves. They make up the largest part of the body of the pack, filled with subordinate females and males. Packs can range from two to thirty-six wolves, [the] average pack size is six wolves (Wolf Facts Web) so with packs that large it is vital the alpha pair maintains a fluid communication structure. The mid-ranking wolves are taught and directed by their dominant counterparts, usually the beta wolves. The diet of mid-ranking wolves is extremely varied, which produces a diverse host of scent markings that never stay the same and gives the illusion of a much larger pack. A similar deception is employed during howling, the mid-ranking wolves will yip, yap, whine, bark, and growl to create difficultly for opposing packs in other territories to get a precise measurement of their numbers. Most of the mid-ranking wolves have neutral markings, which gives them flexibility in ascending to a higher rank should one above them die.

In the final rungs of wolf pack hierarchy comes the specialists: the hunters, nannies, and omega wolves. Both male and female wolves take to the task of hunting, females are valued for their agility, which is afforded by their size being roughly 20-25 percent smaller than males. Conversely, males are required for their strength in taking down much larger prey, such as bison or zebra. The nanny, equally as important to pack continuity, is a specialist position chosen by the alpha female, and is filled by both male and female wolves. They serve to nurture pups and educate them in all things relating to pack etiquette and functions. But when things get rough and the inevitable sibling rivalry flares up that's when the omega steps in to settle the squabbles.

Starting from the age of two to three weeks the omega can be seen in the center of quarreling and clashes. The omega learns early on to divert attention by playing games, using submissive body gestures, and making vocal sounds that defuse tension. Shaun Ellis, founder of Wolf Pack Management and researcher in Yellow National Park cites the omega's howl as "the most tuneful in the pack, reaching both high and low notes" (Ellis, pg. 43). Those fluctuations in pitch bring a harmony to the pack whenever an opposing pack is near their territory, and they find themselves on the defensive.

In conclusion, every successful pack holds a hierarchy and structure that is similar to many families, businesses, and other species that operate in groups we are all familiar with. Every facet of the wolf pack is a moving part, a job that is carried out with the purpose of survival and a means to ensure continuity. Wolves wonderfully illustrate those moving parts in a natural synchronization, how scientists and the cultural avant-garde interpret the wolf pack may change in coming years, but one thing is certain: whenever disharmony is abound, and we find ourselves lost in throes of discombobulation, the example of pack structure will always serve as a natural blueprint for effective leadership and organizational efficiency to get the job done.

Works Cited

Conger, Christen. "Why Are Wolves Making a Comeback in the United States?"Animal Planet. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://animal.discovery.com/mammals/wolf-population-comeback.htm>.

Ellis, Shaun, and Monty Sloan. "The Pack."Wolves. Bath: Parragon, 2011. 43. Print.

Mazzini, Francesco. "Wolf Howling Is Mediated by Relationship Quality."Www.cell.com. N.p., 22 Aug. 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822%2813%2900823-3>.

"Wolf Behavior"Runningwiththewolves.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.runningwiththewolves.org/Behavior1.htm>.

"Wolf Facts."Californiawolfcenter.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2013. <http://www.californiawolfcenter.org/learn/wolf-facts/>.