Arctic Wolf
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[Photo] An Arctic wolf (Canis lupus arctos). Copyright?? Ralf Schmode, http://www.schmode.net/ "All pics on this site are free to download, use and share with everybody. However, if you intend to use any of them on your own web site, please be sure to drop me a line, so that I can check out the all the new homes my pictures have found. I don't object to commercial use of my pictures but, if you intend to do so, please tell me about it."

The Arctic Wolf (Canis lupus arctos), also called Polar Wolf or White Wolf, is a mammal of the Canidae family, and a subspecies of the Gray Wolf. It is often confused with the Tundra Wolf (Canis lupus albus), which can be found throughout northern Europe and Asia. Arctic Wolves inhabit the Canadian Arctic and the northern parts of Greenland.

Anatomy
Arctic Wolves generally are smaller than Gray Wolves, being about 90 to 150 cm (3 to 5 feet) long including the tail; males are larger than females. Their shoulder heights vary from 65 to 80 cm (25 to 31 inches); Arctic Wolves are bulkier than Gray Wolves, often weighing over 45 kg (100 pounds). Weights of up to 80 kg (175 pounds) have been observed in full-grown males. Arctic Wolves usually have smaller ears; helping the wolf to maintain body heat.

Arctic Wolves have achieved lifespans of over 17 years in captivity; however, in the wild, the average lifespan is only 7-8 years.

Hunting
Arctic Wolves, like all wolves, hunt in packs; they mostly prey on Caribou and musk oxen, but will also kill Arctic Hares, and lemmings, as well as other smaller animals. Due to the scarcity of grazing plants, they roam large areas to find prey up to and beyond 2600 km² (1000 square miles), and they will follow migrating Caribou south during the winter.

Their colors can vary from red, gray, white and black.

Reproduction
Normally, only the alpha male and female breed, but in large packs others may mate as well. Due to the Arctic's permafrost soil and the difficulty it poses for digging dens, Arctic Wolves often use rock outcroppings, caves or even shallow depressions as dens instead; the mother gives birth to two to three pups in late May to early June, about a month later than Gray Wolves. It is generally thought that the lower number of pups compared to the average of 4 to 5 among Gray Wolves is due to the scarcity of prey in the Arctic. They give birth in about 63 days.

Distribution
The Arctic Wolf is the only subspecies of the Gray Wolf that still can be found over the whole of its original range; largely because in their natural habitat they rarely encounter humans.

The White Wolf Sanctuary is a refuge for arctic wolves located in Oregon. The average population of wolves in the sanctuary is 8-10 over 40 acres, all of which are rescued wolves who were injured, unwanted or abandoned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_Wolf

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