Watch The Sighting:
This compelling footage was captured by wildlife videographer Judy Lehmberg while exploring the beautiful wilderness of Yellowstone National Park. Judy spends lots of time in the park capturing incredible wildlife content, and this sighting was no exception!
The Subtlety Of Power Dynamics
Judy spotted three majestic grey wolves in a wide meadow clearing. As the encounter unfolded, two of the wolves were seemingly engaged in playful behaviour, wagging their tails and gently pawing and nipping at each other.
During this time, the third wolf hung back, observing the others. Then, without warning, it advanced on the two playful wolves, completely shifting the energy of the group.
Judy watched in awe as one of the play-fighting wolves dropped to the ground in submission, rolling onto its back and exposing its belly. The dominant wolf assessed the gesture, then stepped over the wolf on the ground as if to put it in its place before jogging away.
As the dominant wolf exited the scene, the two other wolves immediately went back to playing together as if nothing had happened. It was a bizarre few moments, but Judy learned that even a brief moment of submission tells a much bigger story about loyalty, respect, and survival in wolf society.
Passive And Active Submission
In wolf packs, an act of submission is used to acknowledge the authority and dominance of higher-ranking pack members. Wolves use different behaviours, either active or passive, to demonstrate submission depending on the situation.
Active forms of submission include muzzle licking, tail tucking, pawing, whimpering, crouching, ear flattening, and head lowering. These behaviours acknowledge another wolf’s authority and can help diffuse conflict within the pack.
Passive submission, like what occurred in Judy’s sighting, is when a wolf exposes its vulnerable underbelly, essentially communicating that the dominant wolf has complete power over it. It is highly unlikely that a dominant wolf will harm another pack member in this position, as it is willingly showing extreme vulnerability.
Pack Politics
Wolf packs are tightly organized families, centred around dominance hierarchies. The pack is led by an alpha male and an alpha female who make key decisions on behalf of the pack. Beta wolves are second in command and maintain pack discipline.
Delta wolves are mid-ranking and act as territory watchers and caretakers, and omega wolves, ranked lowest, must obey other members. The ranking of pack members determines everything from feeding order to breeding rights, and is essential to reduce conflict and maintain stability within the pack.
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Why Every Moment Matters
Footage like Judy’s helps to add to our understanding of wolf behaviour, especially in Yellowstone National Park, where grey wolves were reintroduced only a few decades ago. Studying wolf behaviour helps researchers understand complicated pack dynamics and the long-term impacts of human interference in the park.
By establishing clear roles through dominant and submissive behaviour, like in this sighting, wolf packs operate efficiently and effectively. The harmony within the pack makes them powerful stewards of the ecosystem, keeping nature’s web strong and thriving.