The polar wolf is a subspecies of the wolf that lives in areas of the harsh North. These are the most hardy and smart animals. They adapted for a long time to live without sunlight at sub-zero temperatures with any food that catches their eye.
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Features and habitat of the polar wolf
The white polar wolf does not withstand competition with humans, and therefore lives in its historical homeland. Its length can reach 150 cm. The height of the animal reaches 90 cm at the withers. Moreover, in females these indicators are less than in males.
Related subspecies include the European, Japanese species. The white wolf lives in the most barren, territory with a harsh climate, when temperatures rarely rise above minus 30 degrees. Severe winds constantly blow in the habitats, at which the temperature is felt much lower than it actually is.
The region of residence of the tundra wolf extends from the Kola Peninsula to Kamchatka. Usually animals are found on the plain, but can also be found in the taiga, on the sea North coast. These animals do not differ in the constancy of the place of stay, as they are forced to move behind the flocks of deer.
Character and lifestyle
The polar wolf is an excellent hunter with a well-developed sense of smell, vision, and hearing. Animals hunt in packs. Moreover, during the pursuit of prey, each of the predators strictly performs a specific role. Some are attackers, others become beaters. At this time, the movement of the flock is made by a chain, the animals fall exactly on the track left in front by a congener. Sometimes it seems that there was only one beast.
Polar wolves live in groups in which dominant individuals and young predators are found.And also individuals of another’s pack can be part of the pack if they are at a young age. Feeding a large group of animals in the North is quite difficult. Based on this, in small groups only the dominant couple can become parents. If another predator decides to acquire offspring, then he leaves the pack to form his own family.
Note: the polar wolf has few enemies, occasionally a predator suffers from the attack of bears or the like.
The animals communicate with each other in a contact, distant way. The first is based on a screech, whining, growling, snorting, for example, warning relatives about imminent danger, showing an act of friendliness, aggression. This type of communication includes howling, with the help of which the members of the pack inform each other of a threat. The howl of a predator spreads a great distance.
In addition, polar wolves do not communicate verbally, thus expressing their mood. Wool raised on the scruff of the neck, taste with an evil grin, speaks of aggression. If the beast falls on its back, showing the belly, then this indicates its intention to obey the dominant relative.
Predator Nutrition
With a good arrangement of affairs, the following animals belong to the main diet of the polar wolf:
- deer;
- ram;
- musk ox;
- livestock.
The beast can hunt large prey only in a flock. Due to the unfavorable habitat, this species is omnivorous.
In the absence of the possibility of obtaining large prey, the animal can eat the following species:
- mice
- hares;
- birds
- small predators;
- marine mammals that have been washed ashore by the sea.
With a successful hunt, the polar wolf can eat up to 10 kg of meat at a time. He hides the remaining prey, then to return for it. If the situation is critical for the beast, then carrion, wounded and sick animals will go to the diet.
Note: polar wolves are particularly stamina. They can do without food for 2 weeks, not only remaining viable, but also quite energetic.
Reproduction and longevity
The rut of the polar wolf falls at the end of winter. Formed couples last a lifetime. The female, waiting for the cubs, finds a place to arrange a den. Puppies are born within 2.5 months. Usually 3 light wolf cubs are born. The born offspring is blind, the auricles of the babies are closed. The female is provided with food by the male. The rest of the pack are nearby. Volchata are with their parents for up to a year. Usually the animal lives no more than 17 years.
Interesting facts about the animal
In view of the difficult habitat, the following interesting facts about the endurance of polar wolves are known:
- in order to reach prey, the beast can pass at least 100 km in a day;
- in winter, the predator increases hunting territory three times;
- thanks to the white color, the wolf goes unnoticed for a long time;
- Having caught prey, the polar predator eats it completely together with bones and skin;
- in a pack, dominant individuals implicitly obey a pair of dominant ones, playing the role of guards, nannies.
Animals mark their borders with a howl, with tags. In this way, different flocks avoid conflicts.
Polar wolf and man
Humans and the white wolf live in different habitats. It is difficult for a person to master the Arctic, so the beast and man rarely intersect with each other. Civilization does not pose a direct danger to animals. However, in recent years, environmental degradation has occurred in the Far North, which, of course, negatively affects the predator population. The wolf can attack people only in the presence of rabies disease or in cases of food shortage.
The polar wolf is a very beautiful and hardy animal that survives in the most difficult climatic conditions.
