Tundra Wolf

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Tundra Wolf
(Canis lupus albus)

( Canis lupus albus )

Systematics
Order : Predators (Carnivora)
Subordination : Canine (Caniformia)
Family : Dogs (Canidae)
Genre : Wolf and jackal species ( Canis )
Type : Wolf ( Canis lupus )
Subspecies : Tundra Wolf
Scientific name
Canis lupus albus
Kerr , 1792

The Tundra Wolf or Turukhan Wolf ( Canis lupus albus ) is a subspecies of the wolf ( Canis lupus ), of the family of dogs is one (Canidae). It is very similar to the Eurasian wolf ( Canis lupus lupus ).

The tundra wolf is common over large parts of northern Eurasia . Its distribution area extends from Finland over the northern part of Russia to Kamchatka .

features

The tundra wolf reaches a height at the withers of about 70 to 90 centimeters and a head-torso length between 118 and 137 centimeters. Weight information fluctuates between 35 and unrealistic 100 kilograms, but should average 40 kilograms for males. There is a sexual dimorphism between males and females : males are usually larger and heavier than female wolves.

The long, soft fur of the tundra wolf is mostly dark gray in color. Further areas of fur can be colored black, rust-brown or silver-gray. The underside of the muzzle and throat are lighter, the backs of the ears appear darker. The back coloring shows in most cases a dark to black saddle spot. The tip of the tail and the front of the legs are also often darker in color. In contrast to wolf-like domestic dogs , wolves are longer-legged and have a straight back line, while in dogs it often slopes down towards the tail. The wolf's tail is bushy and straight. Wolves tend to have smaller ears that are also densely hairy on the inside.

Way of life

Tundra wolves in the Parc à loups du Gévaudan , Lozere department , France

Tundra wolves become sexually mature at around two years of age. The mating season for wolves is relatively late until March to April; the gestation period lasts about nine weeks. A litter usually consists of two to six puppies that are raised by the entire pack. After one to three years, the young animals leave their pack, settle near their old pack or migrate away.

As large carnivores, tundra wolves mainly prey on ungulates such as roe deer , red deer and wild boar , and in some regions also moose . Primarily older, sick or young animals that are easier to overpower are captured.

Synonyms

Recognized synonyms for the tundra wolf are dybowskii Domaniewski , 1926, kamtschaticus Dybowski , 1922 and turuchanensis Ognev , 1923.

It is more often equated or confused with the Alaska Tundra Wolf ( Canis lupus tundrarum ) from North America .

Web links

Commons : Tundra Wolf ( Canis lupus albus )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ IFAW : Profile Wolf , accessed on January 27, 2018.
  2. ↑ a b Mech, L. David (1981), The Wolf: The Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species , University of Minnesota Press, p. 353, ISBN 0-8166-1026-6
  3. ↑ a b Tundra Wolf
  4. ↑ a b Heptner, VG & Naumov, N., P. (1998) Mammals of the Soviet Union Vol. II Part 1a, SIRENIA AND CARNIVORA (Sea cows; Wolves and Bears) , Science Publishers, Inc., USA, pp. 182-184, ISBN 1-886106-81-9
  5. ↑ Canis lupus albus , Mammal Species of the World, Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd Edition), ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0 .
  6. ↑ Canis lupus albus / Canis lupus tundrorum - The Tundrawolf , Wolf-Amarok.de