![]() Once caught, the Alpha members will eat first, and even though other pack members helped catch the prey, they will almost have to beg to be able to feed on the animal. Once found they will work together to bring down any larger prey. The alpha male and/or female will often set out on hunts along with some or all of the subordinate members and can travel over many miles in search of prey. Wolves have very keen senses, their keen eyesight, acute hearing, and a great sense of smell help them to locate potential prey – even over some distance. They travel a lot in the search of food, and sometimes in harsh times, they can go for days without food. Moreover, one adult member will always remain behind to look after the younger members of the pack. HuntingĪrctic wolves hunt in the form of a pack. ![]() However, they can also eat ptarmigan (a pheasant-like bird), seals, lemmings (small rodents), Arctic hares, and other small animals and birds. Their main sources of food are musk-oxen and caribou which they usually stalk and hunt in packs. They eat a wide variety of food available in their territory. DietĪrctic wolves are apex predators and are carnivores. Like many dog species, wolves position their bodies and their tails to indicate emotional and behavioral signals such as being aggressive and showing their teeth, growling, and tail up or swaying, through to more permissive stances, with ears folded back and their bodies lowering closer to the floor. Sometimes a chorus of howling can often precede a hunt for food. Often this happens first thing in the morning and Pups will try to join in too. Howling also has the effect of creating a community spirit within the pack, which is why they often howl in unison. They also use it to locate themselves to other pack members, and for other communications reasons too. They howl to ward off other packs from their territory, a wolf howl can travel long distances in the wild. The Arctic Wolf communicates with the help of various voicing sounds, and the position of its tail. Females in most wolf geographical populations typically weigh 5–10 lb (2.3–4.5 kg) less than the males. The average wolf measures 41-65 inches (105–165 cm) in length and 31-33 inches (80–85 cm) across the shoulder. With the tail measuring around 11-20 inches in length.Īrctic wolves are bulkier than their relatives (grey wolves) and can weigh between 100 to 170 pounds. This all serves to reduce exposure to cold temperatures. Physically, Arctic Wolves are smaller than other subspecies such as grey wolves, their muzzle is shorter and their ears are also smaller and more rounded. ![]() The color of the fur of an adult Arctic wolf is white.Īt the time of birth, Arctic wolf pups also generally have darker fur than adult wolves and can appear brown in color. Physical AppearanceĪlso, when they’re born they have blue irises, these gradually change to yellow-gold or orange as the pups grow. At the time of the Ice Age, wolves were forced to survive in what would then be colder regions, which then naturally led to their adaptation into that environment. EvolutionĪccording to scientists, Arctic wolves evolved 50 million years ago from other families of canines. Wolves are present in North America, Canada, Greenland, and within the central mass of Asia.ĭue to human involvement, their population has vastly decreased from areas like Europe, but they are equally present in the areas of Alaska where the human population is much lower – they thrive in areas with more extreme weather and where the human population is therefore fewer. They spend much of their time traveling their territory to seek out prey, only remaining in one area to rear their young. The land where they live is usually always covered by ice and snow, except for a short period of the summer season. Their hefty build gives them a slightly stockier and more rounded appearance than other types of wolves.Arctic wolves thrive in the arctic tundra ecosystem. Mackenzie Valley Wolves are considered to be the largest-bodied wolf subspecies as compared to their lankier cousins. ![]() These wolves have especially sturdy limbs and large lungs adapted for breathing at higher altitudes, which enable them to reign supreme in their natural habitat. These smart, formidable wolves generally hunt by coordinating a stampede that causes the youngest and weakest members of the herd to fall behind for an easier takedown. The Mackenzie Valley Wolf is also prevalent in Yellowstone National Park, where it plays the important role of keeping the Elk population in check. The Mackenzie river is the longest river system in Canada, and nourishes an expansive ecosystem where the largest of wolves can flourish. Also known as the Northwestern Wolf or Canadian Timber Wolf, this furry giant roams the northwest, frequenting the Mackenzie River Valley. The Mackenzie Valley Wolf is the largest wolf in the world.
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