Dominance hierarchy is when the lead male and female are given preferential treatment to resources such as food and potential mates.
Dominance hierarchy forms as a way for animals to coexist in an environment where threats are constant and resources like food, water, mates, and shelter are limited. As a group, members in the dominance hierarchy have access to more resources than they could obtain as individuals and can better defend their territory from threats.
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Mary Temple Grandin (born August 29, 1947) is an American scientist and activist. She is a prominent proponent for the humane treatment of livestock for slaughter and author of more than 60 scientific papers on animal behavior.
