For every Alpha, there is an Omega. We all know about the alpha male -- the "Lord of His Pack." but there is also an alpha female in the family, usually the mate of the top ranking male. She will dominate the other females in the pack. The female below her in rank will dominate those beneath her, who will in turn dominate the next ones down, and so on.

At the bottom of the heap is the lowly omega wolf. She, or he gets it from all sides. Sometimes the individual accepts their station in life, and spends its life within the pack. Sometimes too, the omega wolf is driven away, and if lucky, meets another omega. If the new wolf is of the opposite sex, the two might form a new pack in neutral territory. In this photo, the omega female wolf is being reminded once again of her status within the pack. The other wolf is a female of higher rank.

While these displays of dominance/submissive behavior are noisy, actual violence and injury is rare.

For those of us who have experienced life at the bottom, we can feel a sort of kinship with the omega.

This photograph is © copyright 1986, 1996, Carl Cook. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission, including internet use. Prints are available. For information or to comment, please click here. clcook@olywa.net

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