Arctic Wolf Pictures
Arctic Wolf pictures found on the Internet demonstrate that this animal looks much like the Grey Wolf. Actually, Arctic wolf (Canis lupus arctos) is one of the subspecies of the Grey wolf (Canis lupus). Other subspecies of the Grey Wolf are: Plains wolf, Eurasian wolf, Eurasian tundra wolf, Indian wolf, Arabian wolf, Eastern timber wolf, and Mexican wolf. These subspecies vary in size and coat color. The Arctic Wolf inhabiting the northern part of the species’ range is not very large compared to other subspecies. The coat of the Arctic Wolf is totally white. Species inhabiting southern areas are larger and darker in color.
Arctic Wolf pictures impress by the size and body built of these strong and endurable hunters. Male Arctic Wolves stand up to 31 inches at the shoulders and reach the weight of up to 200 pounds. The body length can reach up to 5 feet. Females are smaller and lighter. To survive in harsh conditions, the coat of the Arctic Wolf is very dense, with a wooly undercoat and coarse outer hair.
Often, Arctic Wolf pictures feature groups of 7-15 individuals. Occasionally, they form larger groups and hunt big game. Only a pack of strong wolves can take down a caribou, musk ox, elk, and other animals. An individual Arctic Wolf is able to hunt only hares and lemmings, which is not enough when rearing the young. Arctic Wolves take down the weaker animals, thus culling the defective individuals and improving the gene pool of their prey.
Arctic Wolves are always on the move in winter searching for caribou herds. In March, they form breeding pairs and females leave the pack and look for a place to make a den. It’s impossible for a female to provide the litter of 4-5 cubs with necessary food and protection, that’s why her mate feeds her when she is nursing the cubs and shares the duty of feeding the cubs when they begin eating meat. Wolf cubs are able to eat regurgitated meat at the age of four weeks. Sometimes, the whole pack helps with food for the cubs. It’s almost impossible to take Arctic Wolf pictures when the cubs are young and helpless, because the pack protects them from intruders.
