Understang a Wolf heirarchy.... The Sawtooth Pack..

Wolfs are a social animal, they do almost everything together. They travel as a pack, hunt as a pack, play and eat as a pack. 

             A wolf pack normally has between 7 and 15 members, the number depends on the area that the wolves hunt in, also the power struggles that occur within the pack. Wolf packs have been known to split up and go their separate ways to form new packs.

              The pack is made up of a complex hierarch, The alpha male is the leader of the pack he decides when the pack hunts, eats, and who eats. His job is to protect and organise the pack, as well as this he is the only male that can breed choosing an appropriate mate to do so with. 

               His partner is called the alpha female her jobs is to help lead the pack and give birth to new members, bringing these pups up accordingly. 

               The beta comes next the second in command he is subordinate to the alpha and dominant over the middle pack. Another role is a type of babysitter he rears the young. 

               The rest of the pack falls into a middle rank, in this group of wolves there are slight power shifts and a constant battle to gain ground, this group will often jostle for a higher position.

               The lowest and by no means the least important is the role of the omega. This wolf has a hard life always having to take a subordinate position as to not anger the rest of the pack. The omega is the last to eat and the group scapegoat. The omega however is very important for group spirit, very often playing the clown and initiating play. It is ultimately respected by the group for fulfilling its role.

Kamots
(alpha male)
The most confident wolf and the leader of the entire pack, Kamots was the most vigilant, first to respond to strange sounds and smells or to potential threats to the group. Curious and tolerant, he led with intelligence and benevolence.

Chemukh
(the alpha female)

In the Nez Perce language, the names for colours are repeated twice, so at first this skittish dark female was called Chemukh-Chemukh Ayet, for “black lassie.” We quickly abbreviated the name to Chemukh. Her nervous, loner behaviour as a puppy seemed to destine her for an omega role. It came as a complete surprise when she asserted herself and was accepted by Kamots as his mate. She gave birth to three pups, Piyip and his sisters Ayet and Motaki. Matsi ( The Beta Wolf ) Matsi was the beta wolf, second in command. Betas are always subordinate to the alpha and dominate the mid-ranking and omega wolves. In addition, Matsi had a capacity for caring that is not necessarily an inherent beta trait. In the Sawtooth Pack, Matsi was the peacemaker and devoted babysitter who helped discipline and raise the pups. His distinguishing marks included a golden rather than gray mask. Amani (high ranking male) A brother of Matsi and Motomo, Amani was generally mild and gentle, preferring eating, sleeping, or playing the clown to the rigors of jostling for social rank. He was often at odds with his brother Motomo. When the pups Piyip, Ayet, and Motaki were born, he took on the role of indulgent uncle. He had classic gray wolf colouring. Motomo ( middle pack ) The brother of Matsi, Motomo was a coal-black wolf, mild-mannered, yet aggressive on a kill. Demanding of attention, he usually achieved goals through persistence or mischievousness. His watchful and mysterious presence was accentuated by striking yellow eyes. Wyakin ( middle pack ) A wyakin is a guardian spirit said to come to Nez Perce children during vigils, revealing truths about life and teaching special songs. The only other female in the pack, and subordinate to her sister Chemukh, Wyakin was a light-colored wolf with a playful and sweet disposition. Wahots ( middle pack ) Wahots was the brother of Chemukh and Wyakin. With a large head and almond-shaped eyes, he was one of the most elegant and photogenic members of the pack. Although there was no way to predict his personality when he was named, Wahots did end up being one of the most vocal members of the pack. After the ageing Lakota was allowed to retire from the omega role, Wahots was forced into this lowly rank.   Lakota ( Omega lowest ranking member ) Lakota, the brother of Kamots, spent most of his years as the omega, the lowest-ranking member of the pack. Although equal in size to Kamots, Lakota continually held himself in a submissive pose so as not to attract attention and disapproval from the rest of the pack. Ever the scapegoat and always the last to feed, he nonetheless had a positive influence on the pack by regularly initiating play.

In the Nez Perce language, the names for colours are repeated twice, so at first this skittish dark female was called Chemukh-Chemukh Ayet, for “black lassie.” We quickly abbreviated the name to Chemukh. Her nervous, loner behaviour as a puppy seemed to destine her for an omega role. It came as a complete surprise when she asserted herself and was accepted by Kamots as his mate. She gave birth to three pups, Piyip and his sisters Ayet and Motaki.

Matsi

( The Beta Wolf )

Matsi was the beta wolf, second in command. Betas are always subordinate to the alpha and dominate the mid-ranking and omega wolves. In addition, Matsi had a capacity for caring that is not necessarily an inherent beta trait. In the Sawtooth Pack, Matsi was the peacemaker and devoted babysitter who helped discipline and raise the pups. His distinguishing marks included a golden rather than gray mask.

Amani

(high ranking male)

A brother of Matsi and Motomo, Amani was generally mild and gentle, preferring eating, sleeping, or playing the clown to the rigors of jostling for social rank. He was often at odds with his brother Motomo. When the pups Piyip, Ayet, and Motaki were born, he took on the role of indulgent uncle. He had classic gray wolf colouring.

Motomo

( middle pack )

The brother of Matsi, Motomo was a coal-black wolf, mild-mannered, yet aggressive on a kill. Demanding of attention, he usually achieved goals through persistence or mischievousness. His watchful and mysterious presence was accentuated by striking yellow eyes.

Wyakin

( middle pack )

A wyakin is a guardian spirit said to come to Nez Perce children during vigils, revealing truths about life and teaching special songs. The only other female in the pack, and subordinate to her sister Chemukh, Wyakin was a light-colored wolf with a playful and sweet disposition.

Wahots

( middle pack )

Wahots was the brother of Chemukh and Wyakin. With a large head and almond-shaped eyes, he was one of the most elegant and photogenic members of the pack. Although there was no way to predict his personality when he was named, Wahots did end up being one of the most vocal members of the pack. After the ageing Lakota was allowed to retire from the omega role, Wahots was forced into this lowly rank.

 

Lakota

( Omega lowest ranking member )

Lakota, the brother of Kamots, spent most of his years as the omega, the lowest-ranking member of the pack. Although equal in size to Kamots, Lakota continually held himself in a submissive pose so as not to attract attention and disapproval from the rest of the pack. Ever the scapegoat and always the last to feed, he nonetheless had a positive influence on the pack by regularly initiating play.

   

Matsi was the beta wolf, second in command. Betas are always subordinate to the alpha and dominate the mid-ranking and omega wolves. In addition, Matsi had a capacity for caring that is not necessarily an inherent beta trait. In the Sawtooth Pack, Matsi was the peacemaker and devoted babysitter who helped discipline and raise the pups. His distinguishing marks included a golden rather than gray mask.