Arctic Wolf

Facts about Arctic Wolf". "Scientific name for Arctic Wolf is Canis lupus arctos". The Arctic Wolf is likely a sub variety of Gray Wolf that belongs to the genus Canis of the Canidae family. Arctic Wolf is a native animal to the Arctic Archipelago of Canada that ranges from the Melville Island to the Ellesmere Island. The Arctic Wolf breed differs from other wolf breeds by its smaller body size, its narrower braincase, its white coloration, and bigger carnassials. There has been an increasing reduction in size in the skulls of the Arctic Wolf since 1930, which is probably the effect of wolf-dog hybridization. Arctic Wolves live in some of the most unfriendly land in the world, where the air temperature hardly ever rises more than -22 degrees Fahrenheit (-30 degrees Celsius) and the land is permanently ice-covered. Arctic Wolves are one of the few species of animals who can bear these insensitive conditions.

The Arctic Wolf has never been critically pursued or hunted when compared to its mainland counterparts. This is for the reason that these Arctic Wolves hold few human being settlements. Consequently, the Arctic Wolf breed is fairly unafraid of humans, and it can be persuaded to approach humans in some regions. However, this Arctic Wolf breed has occasionally acted violently toward humans. Many incidents involving violent Arctic Wolves have taken place in Nunavut, Canada, where these wolves have survived in close proximity to the home weather station for decades and have turned out to be adapted to humans.

History of Arctic Wolf

Initially, the Arctic Wolf was considered a distinct sub variety by Reginald Pocock, a British zoologist in 1935, subsequent to having observed a single skull from the Melville Island. Up to 2005, the Arctic Wolf is still renowned as a different subspecies by the third version of the Mammal Species of the World. However, studies conducted the Arctic Wolf designate that this wolf has no exclusive haplotypes, therefore, signifying that its migration of the Arctic Archipelago from the mainland of North America was quite recent, and so they do not deserve the subspecies status.

Features of Arctic Wolf

Usually, the overall size of the Arctic Wolf will count on the region where they survive. Some of these Arctic Wolves have a maximum body weight of 75 lbs (34 kg). However, some other Arctic Wolves will have a maximum body weight of 125 lbs (56.8 kg). An adult Arctic Wolf is capable of attaining a maximum body length of 3 feet (90 cm).

The Arctic Wolf is a medium-sized animal, and it is generally smaller than other gray wolves in its family. The Arctic Wolf has slightly shorter muzzles, smaller ears, and shorter legs, which will lessen the exposure to the cold air. The Arctic Wolves use to move unaccompanied or in groups that contain a minimum of six wolves. Generally, the Arctic Wolves have an all white color body, with an extremely thick, protective coat.

Diet of Arctic Wolf

The Arctic Wolf is a carnivorous animal and its major prey includes Peary caribou, Musk oxen, Arctic foxes, lemmings, ptarmigan, seals, arctic hares, and nesting birds.

The average lifespan of the Arctic Wolf is 7 years in the wild, whereas in the captive, such as zoos, they can live up to 20 years.