The arctic wolf (Canis lupus arctos), a subspecies of the gray wolf (Canis lupus), is very similar to other wolves. It lives and hunts in packs, has a social hierarchy, and holds territories. It differs from other wolves in its habitat, appearance, and prey species.
Arctic wolves live primarily in the Arctic, the region located above 67° north latitude. The land is covered with snow and ice for most of the year, except for a brief period during the summer. Arctic wolves have adapted well to this icy environment. They have white fur, which allows them to blend into their snowy surroundings. To help reduce heat loss, they have more-rounded ears, a shorter muzzle and shorter legs than other gray wolf subspecies. They also have hair between the pads of their feet and long, thick fur to keep them warm in temperatures that can drop to minus 70° Fahrenheit.
A low density of prey in the Arctic requires these wolves to have territories of well over 1,000 square miles, much larger than their southern relatives. The main prey of the arctic wolf are musk oxen, and arctic hare, but they will also eat Peary caribou, ptarmigan, lemmings, seals, and nesting birds.
Permafrost in the Arctic makes it difficult for the wolves to dig dens. Instead, their dens are often found in rock outcroppings, caves or shallow depressions in the tundra soil. The mother will give birth to 2-3 pups in late May to early June, about a month later than the southern subspecies. On average, the number of pups raised in the Arctic is lower than the average 5-6 pups born to wolves further south. This lower number may be due to scarcity of prey in the Arctic.
