Have you ever noticed how some animals seem to boss around other animals? They act like they are in charge, and the others must listen. In this post, we’ll look at five notoriously bossy animals – cats, hippos, lions, wolves, and chimpanzees. Get ready to meet the bossiest beasts in the animal kingdom!
Cats
You’ve likely experienced how bossy cats can be. If a cat wants food or attention, it will meow loudly and incessantly until it gets what it demands. Cats don’t take no for an answer! They will pester and pester you until you give in.
Cats are independent animals but still expect their human servants to cater to their every need. A cat boss will train its owner through meows, nuzzling, and other behaviours so the human learns when to feed, pet, and play with the cat. Kitties act like they own the place and set the schedule their humans must follow.
In multi-cat households, a “top cat” usually reigns over the other felines. The lead cat claims priority access to food, sunny spots, cosy beds, and prime nap locations. It may block other cats from entering certain rooms or swat at them if they get too close. The other cats quickly learn to show submission to the head honcho kitty.
If you have a cat, get used to being bossed around! Cats are adorable but very demanding furry overlords. You need to adjust your schedule to meet their needs. But that’s okay – being bossy is just part of a cat’s charming personality. It’s how they ensure we give them the care and attention they deserve. Now stop reading and fill up that food bowl before your cat boss yells at you again!
Hippos
You might not think of hippos as bossy creatures, but they are dominating animals within their habitats. Hippos are large, aggressive mammals that control African rivers and lakes. They have a hierarchical social structure where dominant bull hippos rule over females and younger males.
The hippo boss claims a stretch of river as his territory, and even though hippos don’t swim, this boss permits other hippos to be in “his” water. If a rival male hippo dares to enter the dominant hippo’s domain, the animals fight brutally with their large tusks and teeth. The loser gets evicted while the boss controls his watery kingdom.
But male hippos don’t just boss around other hippos. They are also aggressive toward other species that share their habitat, like fish, crocodiles, and birds. A hippo boss charges at these animals to scare them away if they get too close. He wants to avoid competition for food resources in his territory.
Mother hippos are also quite pushy as they protect their young. A mother stays close to her calf and chases away any animal that poses a threat. She is ferociously defensive of her baby while it is vulnerable.
Lions
Lions are instantly recognizable as the “kings of the jungle”, and their social structure reflects this royal status. Lion prides have a defined hierarchy, usually led by a dominant male lion. The boss lion claims mating rights with the females and gets first dibs on meals. He announces his dominance by roaring intimidatingly to warn off competitors.
Challengers sometimes confront the lead lion in aggressive fights where they roar, scratch, and attempt to bite each other’s necks. But the head honcho usually emerges victorious and continues lording over his pride. The females dutifully follow the alpha male wherever he leads them.
The lead lion also decides when it’s time to go hunting and monitors the lionesses as they stalk prey and make the kill. But once a meal is secured, the females and cubs step aside to allow the big boss lion to eat before they get their share. This reward helps reinforce the hierarchy and the male lion’s status as the pride’s ruler.
Wolves
Like lions, wolves live in social packs ruled by dominant alpha pairs. A male and female stand atop the hierarchy to serve as leaders of the pack. The alpha wolves call the shots and give the rest of the wolves clear directions about when to wake, hunt, eat, and more.
These head wolf bosses firmly put lower-ranking wolves in their place if they step out of line. Aggressive snarling or biting is sometimes needed to keep subordinates submitting to the alphas. The top wolves also feed first after hunts and claim any food and resources they desire.
The alpha pair gains its status through displays of leadership, not violence. Usually, if a younger wolf challenges an alpha, the elder only needs to stare it down with an intense glare to put the upstart back into a submissive role. But the alpha wolves earn obedience by providing for the good of the entire pack over the long term.
Wolves howling together is a way for the alphas to reassert their dominance and control over the group. So if you hear a chorus of howls, listen for the strongest, loudest voice – that will be the alpha boss wolf reminding the others of its commanding authority. No one can disobey THAT powerful howl!
Chimpanzees
Like wolves, chimpanzees also live in groups led by dominant alpha males. These intelligent apes form complex social hierarchies in troops, including over 100 chimps. The alpha male enjoys his privileged status through displays of aggression against challengers.
Physical violence and intimidation help the head chimp defend his dominant role and access to females for breeding. He beats his chest, charges, and attacks subordinates who step out of line. He also claims priority access to food resources, the best sleeping spots, and more perks of being the boss.
Lower-ranking chimps show obedience by making submissive gestures like crouching, bobbing, and extending a hand to the alpha. But just below the lead chimp is an opportunistic male eagerly waiting to challenge the alpha and seize control. When the boss inevitably weakens with age, this No. 2 chimp will viciously attack and attempt a coup.
If successful, the new alpha chimp immediately begins throwing his weight around to establish dominance. He beats up on weak females and shows he cannot be trifled with. Ruling with an iron fist helps reinforce the strict hierarchy and keeps subordinates in check. All the chimps must bow to the boss or risk beatdowns.
While chimps may look cute, the boss chimp is a tyrant who seizes power through brute force and aggression. He quickly learns how to control the group to ensure he stays king of the troop and lives the good life!