In Search of the Gamma Wolf

Book excerpt: IN SEARCH OF THE GAMMA WOLF We have all watched documentaries in the late hours illustrating the exploits of the dominant Alpha wolf and the Beta wolves that he mauls on his way to the top. But did any wildlife documentary maker ever capture the sneaky exploits of the Gamma wolf? The lone straggler at the back of the pack, with the chewed up tail and mangy fur, who cavorts successfully with the females whilst the Alpha is out of sight? This book is an attempt to graft male society onto a quasi-scientific—but predominantly fictitious—concept of the wolf pack hierarchy. Along with the familiar Alpha and Beta wolves, this book sheds light on the lesser known wolf types: the plucky Gamma wolf and his comrades, the Theta, Omega, Zeta and Omicron wolves. It can be used as a light-hearted guide to any informal or institutional environment to identify different male types, the structure of the hierarchy, and where individuals fit within it.