Arctic Wolf
Common Name:
Arctic Wolf
Scientific Name:
Canis lupus hudsonicus
IUCN Status:
Least Concern
Risks: Risks to Arctic wolves include habitat loss and global warming.
Diet: Wolves prefer to eat large hoofed mammals such as elk, deer and bison. They also hunt smaller animals such as beaver, rodents and hares.
Size: 1 to 1.6 m body length and tail length is .35 to .56 m.
Weight: Males weigh between 20 to 80 kg with an average of 40 kg and females weigh 18 to 55 kg with an average of 37 kg.
Fun Facts
- Wolves communicate using vocalizations, scent marking, and body language. Howling is used to convey territorial cues and helps bring the pack back together when they are dispersed. Each wolf has a distinct howl.
- Wolves often travel long distances, covering ranges of up to 200 km per day.
- They can reach running speeds of 55 to 70 km per hour.
- Arctic wolves are incredibly resilient. They can endure months of continuous darkness and temperatures as low as -50°C by digging dens in the snow or finding natural shelters.
About Us
The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo is home to Arctic wolves Nuna, Anori and Inneq. Arctic wolves are a subspecies of grey wolf, and they have some fantastic adaptations including the ability to withstand the sub-zero temperatures and months of absolute darkness often experienced in their natural habitat.