Arctic Wolf
Overview
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LC
Status
Least Concern
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b
Scientific Name
Canis lupus arctos
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d
Weight
70 to 175 pounds
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C
Length
3.2 to 5.9 feet
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e
Habitats
Tundra
Often called the "polar wolf" or "white wolf," Arctic wolves inhabit the Arctic regions of North America and Greenland. Thanks to its isolation, the Arctic wolf is not threatened by hunting and habitat destruction in the same way as its southern relatives.
- Places
- Habitats
5 remarkable animal dads
In honor of Father’s Day, we’re celebrating some outstanding animal dads who go to great lengths for their offspring, whether it's protecting them from threats, keeping them warm and fed, or socializing them through play.
Why They Matter
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Arctic wolves are carnivorous hunters. By nature they help to control the populations of other animals in the region like the musk ox, caribou and Arctic hares.
Threats
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Extinction Risk Least Concern
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EX
Extinct
No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died
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EW
Extinct in the Wild
Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population
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CR
Critically Endangered
Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild
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EN
Endangered
Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
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VU
Vulnerable
Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
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NT
Near Threatened
Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future
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LC
Least Concern
Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened
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EX
Musk oxen are part of the Arctic wolf’s diet.
Climate Change
Extreme weather variations in recent years have made it more difficult for populations of musk ox and Arctic hares to find food which has caused a significant decline in their numbers. As a result, this has reduced the traditional food supply of the Arctic wolf.
Industrial Development
Unlike other species of wolf, the Arctic wolf rarely comes into contact with humans and is not threatened by hunting or persecution. Industrial development threatens the Arctic wolf as an increasing number of mines, roads, and pipelines encroach on its territory and interrupt its food supply.
What WWF Is Doing
WWF works with governments, businesses, and communities across the Arctic to combat the threats to the region and to preserve its rich biodiversity, including the presence of the Arctic wolf.
Polar Bear
Gray Whale
Bowhead Whale
Fin Whale
Sei Whale
Whale
Pacific Salmon
Seals
Dolphins and Porpoises
Brown Bear
Narwhal
Beluga
Arctic Fox