The North American Wolves of the Tundra

Tundra Wolves

• Tundra wolves generally have lighter coat colors, more rounded ears, longer legs, broader feet and longer fur than timber wolves. The number of subspecies of tundra wolves remains controversial, with some scientists lumping groups together while other scientists separate groups of tundra wolves into completely separate subspecies. Interbreeding also makes identification of subspecies difficult. Some subspecies include the Alaskan Tundra Wolf, the Mackenzie Tundra Wolf and the Arctic Wolf.

Habitat and Lifestyle

• Tundra wolves live in the far northern reaches of North America, including areas of Alaska and Canada. The areas they live in tend to have few trees, a lot of wind and long, cold winters. Very little snow falls on the tundra, only about 6 to 10 inches per year, but the ground underneath the soil remains permanently frozen. These carnivorous animals prey on deer, caribou, rabbits and other animals that thrive on the windswept plains of the tundra. Tundra wolves live in packs with other wolves of the same subspecies and are highly territorial, so the entire pack guards a large area.

Adaptations

• Wolves of the tundra have evolved specific adaptations to life in this harsh environment over thousands of years. The light fur typical of tundra wolves helps camouflage them against the frozen ground as they hunt. The thick, long coats keep them protected from cold and wind. Long legs let them run quickly to overtake fleeing caribou, rabbits or other prey. Broad feet let these wolves easily walk on top of snow.

Considerations

• Many of the subspecies of wolves that inhabit the North American tundra are considered endangered. Over-hunting by humans has led to the decimation of some wolf populations. Habitat destruction has an even more profound impact on these wolves. As human development encroaches on land once only used by animals of the tundra, the wolves' hunting and breeding grounds become smaller and smaller. Climate change is also having an effect, as several feet of tundra are melting each year, a loss that is permanent and will affect the next generation of tundra wolves and other tundra creatures.