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Main articles: Gray Wolf

The 'Arctic Wolf' (''Canis lupus arctos''), also called 'Polar Wolf' or 'White Wolf', is a mammal of the Canidae family, and a subspecies of the Gray Wolf. Arctic Wolves inhabit the Canadian Arctic and the northern parts of Greenland.

Contents

Anatomy

Hunting

Reproduction

Distribution

References

External links

Anatomy

''See also: Gray Wolf Features and Adaptations
Arctic Wolves generally are smaller than Gray Wolves, being about 3 to 6 feet long including the tail; males are larger than females. Their shoulder heights vary from 25 to 31 inches; Arctic Wolves are bulkier than Gray Wolves, often weighing over 100 pounds (45 Kgs). Weights of up to 175 pounds (80 kgs) have been observed in full-grown males. Arctic Wolves usually have small ears, which help the wolf maintain body heat.
Arctic Wolves have achieved lifespans of over 18 years in captivity; however, in the wild, the average lifespan is only 7-10 years.

Hunting

Arctic Wolves, like all wolves, hunt in packs; they mostly prey on Caribou and musk oxen, but will also kill
Arctic Hares, and lemmings, as well as other smaller animals. They will also prey on moose in winter, moose's long legs get stuck in the deep snow giving arctic wolves a chance to prey on one of the largest land mammals in the world.
Due to the scarcity of grazing plants, they roam large areas to find prey up to and beyond 2600 km² (1000 square miles), and they will follow migrating Caribou south during the winter.
They are born with grey fur, which changes over to white as they mature.

Reproduction

:''See also: Gray Wolf Courtship and Mating
Normally, only the alpha male and female breed, but in large packs others may mate as well. Due to the Arctic's permafrost soil and the difficulty it poses for digging dens, Arctic Wolves often use rock outcroppings, caves or even shallow depressions as dens instead; the mother gives birth to two or three pups in late May to early June, about a month later than Gray Wolves. It is generally thought that the lower number of pups compared to the average of 4 to 5 among Gray Wolves is due to the scarcity of prey in the Arctic. They give birth in about 63 days. The wolf pups stay with their mother for 2 years.

Distribution

The Arctic Wolf and the Timber Wolf are the only subspecies of the Gray Wolf that still can be found over the whole of its original range; largely because in their natural habitat they rarely encounter humans.

The 'White Wolf Sanctuary' is a refuge for arctic wolves located in Oregon. The average population of wolves in the sanctuary is 8-10 over 40 acres, all of which are rescued wolves who were injured, unwanted or abandoned.

References

★ L. David Mech (text), Jim Brandenburg (photos), ''At home with the arctic wolf'', National Geographic Vol. 171 No. 5 (May 1987), pp. 562-593

★ L. David Mech, ''The arctic wolf: 10 years with the pack'', Voyageur Press 1997, ISBN 0-89658-353-8

★

External links

★ L. David Mech: Arctic Wolves and Their Prey

★ White Wolf Sanctuary website