Common Wolf Behavior: Ritualized Aggression

*NOTE*
Though I do say that wolves aren't very aggressive, you should not, by any means, approach a wolf without an expert who does not belong in an insane asylum.

Gray wolves are a highly social species, but lack a language center in their somewhat large-ish noggins. Therefore, they communicate mostly through body language, especially with posture and facial expression.
In this video, Wolfgang, a relatively high-ranking wolf, and Reudi, a lower-ranking wolf, display a behavior known as ritualized aggression. This behavior is very common in canines and allows wolves to assert their dominance over each other. Reudi can be seen engaging in submissive and "apologetic" behavior in response to Wolfgang's decision to scold him for being a pest earlier that day.

Gray wolves typically do not harm one another through ritualized aggression. That being said, wolves will occasionally kill other pack members for dominance and a habitualized wolf may attack humans. (Remember Candice Berner?) Please, never feed or approach a wild wolf.


If you already know everything said in this video, good for you, have a cookie. If you think you can make a better video, please do; the world can benefit from more edumakashunal videos :)

If you have any questions, send them over to soyrwoo@yahoo.com

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[M3gal0us]

But if they are just showing dominance. Why do they just go up to them and snap and bite them for no reason? O_O

[soyrwoo]

@M3gal0us There's no real biting in this video; it's just wolves communicating. And there is a reason: Reudi was being a pest earlier, but canids don't have a language by which they can express annoyance, so Wolfgang here is using body language and growling to reinforce his dominance over his lower-ranking brother.

[Shewolfen]

the subordanant wolves will often pester the higher ranking wolves, if you notice the dominant one isn't doing much. the submissive one if flipping out. I think its the other way around, the alpha wolves are generaly calm and the subordanats are spazzes that make the alphas life miserable.

[soyrwoo]

@Shewolfen Heheh, this video caught less than half the action! The higher-ranking wolf, Wolfgang, began this particular argument while Reudi was minding his own business.

In general, though, you're right; the "alpha" tries to avoid conflict, but the lower-rank wolves tend to express their dominance over each other and submission to the alpha more often. Neither wolf in this video was alpha :)

[Azurehowlshilach]

yeah I read about this in a book,so many people think there mean thats not the truth,the alpha is just showing he is the boss and the other wolves needs to respect that !

[soyrwoo]

Yup! :)

In this case, though, neither wolf was the alpha; the alpha is often more lenient than other high-ranking pack members because he would otherwise risk mutiny. I think Wolfgang was second in command when I took this video; the alpha of this particular pack was pretty well respected anyway (until he got booted out rather recently), so I don't think he was too rough on his packmates :)

[soyrwoo]

It depends on the situation; in the description, I made a note that wild wolves should not be approached. However, wild packs tend to be quite shy and typically don't come near humans. In fact, there have been no scientifically proven cases of wild, healthy wolves killing humans :)

[RichardWestphal]

Sometimes an alpha will show its dominance by holding a wolf down by the back of the neck with his mouth, NOT actually attacking, just holding the other down. When the one on the ground gives up and shows a passive submissive behavior, he has been put in his place. Also a fun fact is that the alpha does everything first. Others wait for the alpha to eat before they begin. For instance, my dog will sit by the door until i open it, walk out, and then tell him it is okay to come outside.

[HawthornWitch]

@soyrwoo exactly. But how many cases are there of domestic dogs attacking humans? More humans have been attacked by a wild DEER. A healthy wolf will avoid humans at all costs. A sick or starving wolf however might get desperate. Either way, wolves in the wild deserve our respect, and to be left alone to live out their lives. Stories of wolves attacking livestock even are greatly greatly exagerated.

[TheGRavist]

OMG 1:16 is soooooooooooooooooo cute :3

[ChooksLoverCC]

I'll make sure to feed and approach wild wolves even tho I'm not an official because I'm an unofficial expert you could say :P

[Azurehowlshilach]

@bagnome indeed I agree ^-^ I mean if they dont show dominance they would lose there rank :D

[bagnome]

@Azurehowlshilach the only reason higher ranks in a wolf sacial structure are more agressive is because they are showing there dominance and keeping there rank and others' ranks in check, so it is not agression, they are using body language to tell the subordinants that they are more dominate, just a series of threat displays, nothing aggresive.

[savagewhitewolf]

This is a great video! you are right though soyrwoo, as far as ive seen in wolf packs the Alphas tend to be well respected anyway and so do not have to assert their dominance too often. They tend to mostly assert their dominance if a subordinate pack member steps out of line - the Alpha will then re-enforce their dominance almost as if they are saying "hey, im boss here - you need to do as i say!"

[ajko000]

@soyrwoo yes there have o-o.... it happens all the time XD.... it happends like this:

RAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRRR­R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *buuuurps*