<P> Alpha animals usually gain preferential access to food and other desirable items or activities, though the extent of this varies widely between species . Male or female alphas may gain preferential access to sex or mates; in some species, only alphas or an alpha pair reproduce . </P> <P> Alphas may achieve their status by superior physical strength and aggression, or through social efforts and building alliances within the group . The individual with alpha status sometimes changes, often through a fight between the dominant and a subordinate animal . These fights are often to the death, depending on the animal . </P> <P> Social animals in a hierarchic community are sometimes assigned ranks in ethology studies . </P> <P> Beta animals often act as second - in - command to the reigning alpha or alphas and will act as new alpha animals if an alpha dies or is otherwise no longer considered an alpha . In some species of birds, males pair up in twos when courting, the beta male aiding the alpha male . It has been found that the social context of the animals has a significant impact on courtship behavior and the overall reproductive success of that animal . </P>

Difference between an alpha and a true alpha