Alpha - The top rank in the social order of the wolf pack. Since a separate social hierarchy exists for males and females, a pack has both an alpha male and an alpha female. They are usually the parents of most of the other members of the pack.

Beta - The second rank in the social order of a wolf pack. Since separate social hierarchies operate for males and females, a pack may have both a beta male and a beta female. A wolf at this rank will usually dominate all of the other wolves in its gender except the alpha wolf.

Biodiversity - The variety, complexity and relative abundance of species (plant and animal) present and interacting in an ecosystem.

Bounty - A monetary reward system. Federal and state governments have used bounties as part of their predator control programs to encourage people to killed wolves.

Canid - A member of the taxonomic family Canidae, which in North America includes wolves, coyotes, foxes and domestic dogs.

Carnivore - An animal that eats meat.

Color Phase - The color of an animal's pelage (fur), which is determined by genetics and may vary within a population. White, gray and black color phases may be seen within the same gray wolf population. In the Great Lakes Region, about 98 percent of the gray wolf population exhibits the gray phase, with the occasional occurrence of white or black phases. The predominant color phase within a population often corresponds to the overall color of its environment. For example, the white color phase is predominant in arctic regions. The word "phase" does not imply that a wolf changes color.

Den - A shelter, often a small cave or hole dug out of the ground, to protect the breeding female and her young pups from weather and other animals.

Depredation - The act of an animal capturing and eating other animals. This term is primarily used when referring to situations involving wolves or other carnivores killing or maiming domestic animals, such as livestock.

Dispersal - The act of an organism leaving its birth-place and moving to where it will live as an adult. Dispersal in wolves, usually involves a young, sexually maturing wolf leaving the pack, perhaps due to rivalry with other members of the pack, intense bonds formed with an individual wolf from outside of the pack or lack of sufficient resources within the pack's territory to support the number of wolves present.

Domesticated - Referring to species which have descended from wild ancestors but have been tamed, kept in captivity and bred over many generations for human purposes. They are usually dependent upon humans for their survival.

Dominant - Having power, control and privilege over others within a social hierarchy.

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