Social rank is the position an animal holds in a social group of the same species. Nearly all animals that exist in packs, bands, herds, flocks, prides or other collective terms are organized into a level of dominance, with each individual's status clearly delineated. The organization of some societies may be simple and linear as the peck order in a flock of chickens. In other societies the interactions are complex and reticulate.

The premier or alpha individual that takes a lead role occupies the dominant position in the group. This individual has more privileges than any other member of the social group. Some species (elk, African elephants, and sparrows) always have a female as the alpha animal. Rhesus monkeys and Japanese macaques may have a male or a female alpha and wolves always have a male occupying the alpha position.

The dominant or alpha individual does not always lead or guide the group in its movements. In some deer species the dominant males regularly follow a subdominant, perhaps as a safety precaution. In some baboon troops high-ranking males act as perimeter guards.

The social rank of an individual may be determined by psychological characteristics not simply physical strength. Often, as in canids, the position is established while still puppies. In many societies the social position of the mother has an impact on her offspring's social status later in life. An animal that loses its alpha position usually never regains it. Often the subordinate, or beta, animal takes over the alpha spot. It is believed that each individual in the social group has an established and recognized rank, with the most submissive animal at the bottom of the hierarchy. This animal has no subordinate just as the alpha animal has no superior. This established group structure enables the group to replace a leader with a minimum of disturbance, fights or disorder that might endanger the social group. Members constantly show their dominant and or submissive behavior appropriate to their rank to other group members. Juveniles are often under the fewest constraints until they reach adolescence. Until then they often aren't required to adhere to rank system rules, and may take liberties denied other group members. The rank system provides benefit by reducing agnostic encounters between members of the group because each recognizes its position within the society, thus it serves to conserve energy, too.

Orangutan adult and infant