The Alaskan Tundra Wolf
The Canis lupus tundrarum was identified as a subspecies in 1912 by zoologist Gerrit Smith Miller. Some believe that it is just an extension of the Interior Alaskan Wolf, while others think it is the same as the Mackenzie Valley Wolf or the Mackenzie Tundra Wolf. The Alaskan Tundra Wolf shares many characteristics with all three.
HABITAT
The Alaskan tundra wolf resides in the tundra regions along the Arctic coast of northern Alaska.
The Alaskan tundra wolf resides in the tundra regions along the Arctic coast of northern Alaska.
CHARACTERISTICS
The Alaskan tundra wolf is a large wolf measuring from 50 to 64 in length (nose to end of tail). Its weight can vary in males from 85 to 176 pounds, and in females from 80 to 120 pounds. They are usually seen in light colored to pure white coats, though they also come in dark coats, including black. Their hair is long, though not as long as the European Tundra Wolf. They have a heavier dentition than the Interior Alaskan Wolf.
The Alaskan tundra wolf is a large wolf measuring from 50 to 64 in length (nose to end of tail). Its weight can vary in males from 85 to 176 pounds, and in females from 80 to 120 pounds. They are usually seen in light colored to pure white coats, though they also come in dark coats, including black. Their hair is long, though not as long as the European Tundra Wolf. They have a heavier dentition than the Interior Alaskan Wolf.
DIET
When possible, it will feed on deer and other ungulates. It also feeds on smaller animals and vegetation.
When possible, it will feed on deer and other ungulates. It also feeds on smaller animals and vegetation.
BREEDING
The dominant male and female of the pack will mate around February. Gestation lasts anywhere from 62 to 75 days. The female usually gives birth to about 4 pups in a den. The pack will assist in raising them.
The dominant male and female of the pack will mate around February. Gestation lasts anywhere from 62 to 75 days. The female usually gives birth to about 4 pups in a den. The pack will assist in raising them.
The Alexander Archipelago Wolf
HABITATThe Alexander Archipelago wolf, also known as the Canis lupus ligoni, is found in coastal southeast Alaska. A large portion of them reside within Alaska's Tongass National Forest. They can be found on the mainland from Dixon Entrance to Yakutat Bay, and on all the major islands in the Alexander Archipelago except Admiralty, Baranof and Chichagof.
These islands are but the tops of submerged coastal mountains having steep rugged shorelines. They are densely forested and have an abundance of wildlife. Many of the wolves travel freely between islands, and their ranges may shift significantly over time. This makes it difficult to accurately keep track of their population. This subspecies of wolf is relatively isolated from other wolves by mountains and water barriers.
CHARACTERISTICS
These "island wolves" are small wolves with short hair which is usually either black or another rather dark color. They average about 3 1/2 feet long, 2 feet high, weighing 30 to 50 pounds. Taxonomist Goldman described the Alexander Archipelago wolf as being smaller and having shorter, coarser, and darker hair than wolves in the northern and interior areas of Alaska.
These "island wolves" are small wolves with short hair which is usually either black or another rather dark color. They average about 3 1/2 feet long, 2 feet high, weighing 30 to 50 pounds. Taxonomist Goldman described the Alexander Archipelago wolf as being smaller and having shorter, coarser, and darker hair than wolves in the northern and interior areas of Alaska.
The Arctic Wolf
Able to tolerate years of sub-zero temperatures, up to five months of darkness a year, and weeks without food, the arctic wolf lives in one of the few places on earth where it is safe from the greatest threat of all - man. Arctic wolves inhabit some of the most inhospitable terrain in the world. In April, the air temperature rarely rises above -22° F. The ground is permanently frozen. The arctic wolf is one of the few mammals that can tolerate these conditions. Details of the animal's life through much of the year are virtually unknown.
Wolves usually live in small packs or family groups consisting of a breeding pair, their pups, and their unmated offspring from the prior several seasons.
The dominant, or breeding, pair are known as the alpha male and alpha female. They are respected by the rest of the pack. All adults in the pack cooperate in feeding and caring for the young.Throughout the Fall and Winter, arctic wolves remain on the move. After mating in March, the pregnant female leaves the pack to find a den to give birth to her pups. She may dig a new one. However, if the ground is frozen, she will be forced to return to an old den in a cave or rock cleft. The pups are born deaf, blind, and helpless. They are totally dependent on their mother, and she in turn relies on her mate to bring her the food she needs. After a month, the pups are able to eat meat. From then on, the whole pack shares the job of feeding them with regurgitated meat from a kill. The pups may strike out on their own the following year.
The arctic wolf preys on lemmings and arctic hare, but its most substantial source of food is musk oxen and caribou. Because of the scarcity of grazing plants, animals must roam a large area in order to find enough food to survive.
They will kill virtually any animal they can catch, and eat every part of it, including skin, fur, and bones. The wolves have up to 800 square miles in which to search for their prey. When Winter temperatures plummet, the wolves may follow migrating caribou South.
The arctic wolves must hunt together in packs when seeking large prey. The caribou or musk oxen are too powerful for any one wolf to take on alone. By the time the pack approaches a herd of oxen out in the open, the chance of a surprise attack is long gone; the herd has already formed a defensive circle with the calves in the center. The wolves must then prowl around the herd forcing the oxen to shift their ground to face them. If the wolves are successful, the oxen will scatter. The wolves will then give chase, trying to isolate the young or weak. A musk ox will provide enough food to last the wolves several days.
The shoulder height of the arctic wolf varies from 25 to 31 inches. On average, they are about 3 feet tall from head to toe. Their body length may vary from 3 to 5 feet (nose to tail). Their colors may range from red, gray, white and black. The approximate weight of a full grown male is 175 pounds. In captivity, an arctic wolf can live to be over 17 years. However, the average lifespan in the wild is but 7 years.Wolves in general have been under threat throughout history. The arctic wolf is the only subspecies still found over the whole of its original range. This is largely because it rarely encounters humans.
The Baffin Island Wolf
It was not until 1943 that the Baffin Island wolf was recognized as a distinct subspecies by zoologist Rudolph Martin Anderson. Its scientific name Canis lupus manning was taken from zoologist Thomas Henry Manning, OC who had spent a year and a half mapping the island.
HABITAT
Baffin Island wolves are found exclusively on Baffin Island and a few small adjacent islands.
Baffin Island wolves are found exclusively on Baffin Island and a few small adjacent islands.
CHARACTERISTICS
The Baffin Island wolf is the smallest of all arctic wolves. It has a thick white coat which makes it appear larger than it actually is.
The Baffin Island wolf is the smallest of all arctic wolves. It has a thick white coat which makes it appear larger than it actually is.
DIET
Baffin Island wolves are omnivorous creatures and will feed on just about anything if they are hungry enough. However, their major sources of food are lemmings, barren-ground caribou, and the arctic hare. They often hunt either alone or a male and female together.
Baffin Island wolves are omnivorous creatures and will feed on just about anything if they are hungry enough. However, their major sources of food are lemmings, barren-ground caribou, and the arctic hare. They often hunt either alone or a male and female together.
STATUS
The Baffin Island wolf is listed as endangered.
The Baffin Island wolf is listed as endangered.
Bernard's Wolf
It was not until 1943 that zoologist Rudolph Martin Anderson identified the Bernard's Wolf, also known as the Banks Island Wolf, as the subspecies Canis lupus bernardi. An adult male skin and skull of the wolf at the National Museum of Canada had been collected by Peter Bernard. The wolf was named after hunter/explorer/fur trader Peter Bernard and his nephew Joseph Bernard.
HABITAT
The Bernard's Wolves reside on Banks Island in the Northwest Territories of Canada. They were previously widespread in the archipelago Victoria, but were annihilated by excessive hunting.
The Bernard's Wolves reside on Banks Island in the Northwest Territories of Canada. They were previously widespread in the archipelago Victoria, but were annihilated by excessive hunting.
CHARACTERISTICS
They are large wolves, standing up to 4 feet tall and 6 feet long from tip of nose to end of tail. They have long thick white hair with a black stripe down their spine. They can weigh anywhere from 60 to 110 pounds.
They are large wolves, standing up to 4 feet tall and 6 feet long from tip of nose to end of tail. They have long thick white hair with a black stripe down their spine. They can weigh anywhere from 60 to 110 pounds.
STATUS
The last Bernard's Wolves seen on Banks Island were in the northwestern regions. During a survey of the southern region of the island taken in March of 1993, no wolves were found, nor were any fresh wolf kills nor wolf tracks seen. The wolves on Victoria Island were killed off between 1918 and 1952.
The last Bernard's Wolves seen on Banks Island were in the northwestern regions. During a survey of the southern region of the island taken in March of 1993, no wolves were found, nor were any fresh wolf kills nor wolf tracks seen. The wolves on Victoria Island were killed off between 1918 and 1952.
THERE ARE MANY KIDS OF WOLVES SUCH AS:
- Hudson Bay Wolf
- Interior Alaskan Wolf
- Kenai Peninsula Wolf
- Labrador Wolf
- Mackenzie Tundra Wolf
- Mackenzie Valley Wolf
- Manitoba Wolf
- Mexican Wolf
- Mogollon Mountain Wolf
- Newfoundland Wolf
- N. Rocky Mountains Wolf
- S. Rocky Mountains Wolf
- Texas Gray Wolf
- Vancouver Island Wolf
