Arctic Wolf Introduction:

The Arctic Wolf, (Canis lupus arctos) also known as the White Wolf or Polar Wolf, is a subspecies of Grey Wolf native to Canada’s Queen Elizabeth Islands, from Melville Island to Ellesmere Island. It is a medium-sized subspecies, distinguished from the northwestern wolf by its smaller size, its whiter coloration, its narrower braincase, and larger carnassials.

Since 1930, there has been a progressive reduction in size in Arctic Wolf skulls, which is likely the result of wolf-dog hybridization. Arctic Wolves are incredibly versatile and adaptive animals, able to withstand year round sub-zero temperatures. Living in the Arctic Circle, the Arctic Wolf spends five out of twelve months in total darkness.

The Arctic Wolf hunts lemmings, assorted rodents, and Arctic Hare but will take larger prey like caribou when available. When the Arctic Wolf wants to hunt musk ox, the pack will gather and work as a team attempt to isolate it from the herd and take it.

An adult musk ox is simply too big for one Arctic Wolf to try and take on alone. Although the Arctic Wolf is generally smaller in size than the Grey Wolf, Arctic Wolves tend to be bulkier than Grey Wolves with the male also growing larger than the female.

Normally, only the alpha male and female breed, but if a pack gets too large it may break up into new smaller packs giving others the opportunity to mate. Due to the Arctic Circle’s uncompromising permafrost soil and the difficulty it poses for digging dens, Arctic Wolves often use rock outcroppings, caves or even shallow depressions as dens instead.