Arctic Wolf Facts

Introduction:
The arctic wolf is a subspecies of the gray wolf (Canis lupus).  It is also called the White Wolf or Polar Wolf.  Unlike it's relative, the red wolf, the arctic wolf is not endangered.

Eating habits:
Arctic wolves eat a wide variety of mammals and some nesting birds.  They can eat up to 20 lbs of meat per meal!  Their prey includes lemmings, seals, arctic foxes, arctic hares, caribou and musk oxen.  Arctic wolves usually hunt in packs.


Growing up:
Arctic wolves are born in a litter.  The maximum size of a litter of wolf pups is 12, with an average of 4!  At the age of 3 months wolf pups leave the den to explore with their parents and the rest of the pack.  In the pack, on average, there are 6 adult wolves.


Features:
An adult arctic wolf ranges from 75-155 lbs, and can be between 3 ft and 6 ft in length.  Arctic wolves can run as fast as 46 mph.  They can live as long as 10 years.  That may seem small, but they are wild.  The wolf's coat is made of two layers.  The top layer is long and course used for keeping the wolf dry.  The under layer is short and helps keep it warm.  The howl of a wolf is not only for fun, but also to find the rest of the pack and communicate.

Habitat:
Arctic wolves live in the Northern parts of Canada and Greenland.  The land that they live in is considered the Arctic tundra and is very icy.  Polar bears are the main predator of the Arctic wolf.