Arctic Wolf at Herberstein Wildlife Park

Among male and female polar wolves, there are separate hierarchies that are reestablished each fall through fighting. Only the highest-ranking individuals form the so-called alpha pair, which has pups together. Later in life, lower-ranking wolves display submissiveness toward higher-ranking ones, adopting a crouched posture with their tails tucked between their legs. The lowest-ranking wolf (the omega wolf) experiences the most aggression and must also wait in line at the back when eating.

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Wolves may howl at different pitches so that other packs can estimate their numbers. Only large packs howl regularly to announce that a territory is already occupied and has enough members to defend it.