Baffin Island wolf


The Baffin Island wolf, also known as the Baffin Island tundra wolf, is a subspecies of gray wolf which resides exclusively on Baffin Island and several nearby islands. It was not formally recognized as a subspecies until 1943, when it was given its taxonomic classification by Anderson. This wolf is recognized as a subspecies of Canis lupus in the taxonomic authority Mammal Species of the World .

Physiology

Description

The Baffin Island wolf is described as being light colored, sometimes white, and unusually small, as compared to other wolf subspecies. It is proposed to be the smallest of all Arctic wolf types. It is currently endangered.

History

Early records and evidence suggest that the wolves in western Greenland migrated there from Baffin Island and are, thus, descendants of the Baffin Island wolf subspecies.
In 1966, a study was conducted on the Baffin Island wolf, of which a preliminary assessment had been made the year before in 1965 at Wordie Bay, by the University of Toronto. It was helped by students from the university as well.