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Arctic wolf Facts

Arctic wolf Facts
Arctic wolf is a subspecies of grey wolf. It can be found in the northern Canada, on Alaska, Greenland and Iceland. Arctic wolf inhabits remote, extremely cold areas with average temperature of minus 30 degrees of Celsius. These animals were frequently on a target of European commercial hunters in the past. Even though they are rarely hunted today, Arctic wolves are faced with rapid climate changes which reduce amount of available food. Luckily, current population is still large and Arctic wolf is not on the list of endangered species.
Interesting Arctic wolf Facts:
Arctic wolf can reach 3 to 6 feet in length and 75 to 150 pounds of weight.
Arctic wolf has white-colored, thick double coat which prevents freezing in the extremely cold environment. Inner part of the fur is waterproof.
Arctic wolf is smaller than grey wolf and has shorter legs, smaller ears and shorter muzzle compared with other types of wolves. It has padded feet which facilitate movement across the frozen ground.
Besides low temperatures, Arctic wolf tolerates complete darkness which lasts 5 months per year.
Arctic wolf has keen sense of hearing, smell and eyesight, which are used for identification of potential prey.
Arctic wolf is a carnivore. Its diet is based on the Arctic fox, caribou, muskoxen, Arctic hare, lemming and seals.
Arctic wolf has strong jaws filled with 42 sharp teeth designed to tear flesh and crush bones. Arctic wolf consumes more than 20 pounds of meat per meal.
Arctic wolf lives in packs of 5 to 7 (occasionally up to 20) members, or rarely on its own. Packs use urine and scent to mark the borders of their territories. Thanks to their cooperative hunting strategy, Arctic wolves can easily kill very large prey.
Large kill usually lasts few days. All members of the pack take their turn to protect carcass from other animals (scavengers) in between the meals.
Arctic wolf is very fast animal. It can reach the speed of 40 miles per hour when it chases prey.
Arctic wolves communicate via sounds (growling) and position of their tail.
Natural enemies of Arctic wolves are other packs of Arctic wolves and polar bears.
Only leaders of the pack mate (alpha male and female). Female gives birth to 2 to 3 pups (or rarely up to 12) during the spring. Pups are blind, deaf and helpless at birth. They spend first couple of months hidden inside a den. At the age of 3 months, young Arctic wolves are ready to join the pack together with their mother.
Until they become ready to hunt with the rest of the pack, youngsters consume partially digested food which other members of the pack regurgitate after the hunt.
Arctic wolf can survive 7 to 10 years in the wild and 14 to 20 years in the captivity.


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