What is the history of Arctic wolves?
Arctic wolves are thought to have evolved from a lineage of other canids about 50 million years ago. Scientists believe that Arctic wolves were isolated in very cold habitats during the Ice Age. It was during this time that they developed the adaptations necessary to survive in the extreme cold of the Arctic.
Where did the Arctic wolf originate from?
The Arctic wolf (Canis lupus arctos), also known as the white wolf or polar wolf, is a subspecies of grey wolf native to the High Arctic tundra of Canada’s Queen Elizabeth Islands, from Melville Island to Ellesmere Island.
How long do Arctic wolves live?
In captivity an arctic wolf can live to be over 17 years compared to the average lifespan in the wild of approximately 7 years.
What do Arctic wolves do?
Arctic wolves are carnivorous hunters. By nature they help to control the populations of other animals in the region like the musk ox, caribou and Arctic hares.
What is unique about Arctic wolves?
Thanks to its isolation, the arctic wolf is not threatened by hunting and habitat destruction like its southern relatives. In fact, the arctic wolf is the only sub-species of wolf that is not threatened. Arctic wolves are smaller than grey wolves, They also have smaller ears and shorter muzzles to retain body heat.
What makes the Arctic wolf special?
Arctic wolves are well adapted to icy conditions. White fur allows them to blend into snowy surroundings. To help reduce heat loss their ears are small and rounded, the muzzle is short, and the fur is dense. Legs are shorter than other subspecies.
What are Arctic wolves enemies?
Polar bears are the only animal predators of Arctic wolves. If a young wolf cub wanders out of the cave, it can be killed by a bear or another wolf. When humans venture out to where the Arctic wolves live, they pose a threat to them as well. An Arctic wolf can survive for 4 or 5 months without eating.
Do Arctic wolves change color?
Wolves only grow out thier undercoat in the winter, and shed it in the summer. The color of the fur does not change with the seasons, only goes white with age. It’s the same with humans. The thicker under coat can cause the appearance of a color change but it doesn’t actually change.
How many Arctic wolves are left?
approximately 200,000 Arctic wolves
How many Arctic wolves are left in the world? There are approximately 200,000 Arctic wolves left in the world today.
What are Arctic wolves habitats?
Habitat: An animal of the far north, living their whole lives above the northern tree line in the Arctic tundra, arctic wolves roam across North America and Greenland though don’t extend into mainland Europe or Asia.
What are facts about the Arctic wolf?
Arctic wolves are usually smaller in size than Grey wolves.
What are some interesting facts about the Arctic wolf?
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
What animals are predators of the Arctic wolves?
Red Foxes. The rising temperatures have allowed more plant species to spread north which has resulted in large parts of the tundra turning to forest areas.
What is the lifespan of an Arctic wolf?
The average lifespan of male and female Arctic wolves is about 7 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity. One of the most common reasons for the early death of an Arctic wolf is a lack of available food in the harsh climate.