Within the pack, wolves will constantly demonstrate their rank. When two wolves in the pak meet, the higher-ranking one will show aggression and confidence by raising its tail, putting its ears forward, lifting its lips in a snarl, and making itself look as big and threatening as possible. The hackles, the fur along the top of its back, will go up automatically when a wolf is threatening a lower-ranking one. In almost all cases, this ritual substitutes for actual fighting. If wolves often fought and hurt each other, they might be too injured to be able to hunt and survive.
Wolves are carnivores, which means they eat meat.
Because most of the prey animals that wolves hunt are much bigger than the wolves themselves, it is only by hunting in groups and cooperating that wolves can catch enough food to survive. Even working together, it is difficult for wolves to catch their prey. Healthy deer can easily outrun wolves, while large animals like moose or bison often stand their ground until the wolves give up. Typically, wolves do not waste a lot of time going after obviously healthy prey. Instead, they are skilled at noticing weaknesses, testing animals by getting them to run and seeing which ones appear old or sick.