Subtypes

By Stephan Sprinz - [1], CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=174691564

Canis lupus crassodon

Arctic wolves are a subspecies of grey wolves that spend their entire lives in the arctic region. Due to genetic and ecological similarities, the subspecies also includes the extinct Bernard's wolf (C. l. bernardi) and the Greenland wolf (C. l. orion). It is a medium subspecies that tends to be smaller, have a narrower braincase, white colour and larger carnassials than that of the northwestern subspecies. Their colour is typically shades of white or cream with other populations descriped as having black tipped hair along the back.

Range: The Queen Elizabeth Islands, Ellesmere Island and northwest Greenland

Habitat: Arctic tundra

Size: 32-80 kg (70 to 175 lb); 100-180 cm (36 to 62 in).

Life Span: 6-8 years in the wild; 14-17 years in captivity.

Feeding: Carnivore.

Reproduction: Monogamous. Dominant pairs in packs are the only members to breed. Breeding occurs between January and April. Female grey wolves choose their mates to form life-long pairs. Gestation lasts 60 to 63 days with litters of up to fourteen. Pups remain in the den until 8 to 10 weeks old. Puppies are cared for by the entire pack and are fed regurgitated food until 45 days old. Afterwards, they are weaned and are fed meat by the pack. They begin hunting with the pack at 10 months old. Females reach maturity at two years while males reach it at three. Most wolves leave their birth pack between 1 and 3 years old. 

Conservation Status: Least concern. Grey wolves do not adapt well to zoos due to their inability to preform natural behaviours and have large enough spaces. Most animals kept in zoos are unable to be rereleased or are serving for reintroduction efforts.

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