Islands wolf
The Alexander Archipelago wolf (Canis lupus ligoni) is a subspecies of the Gray wolf. It first arrived in Alaska sometime between 7,000 and 8,000 years ago, after the end of the Wisconsin glaciation period. It is thought that the wolves were likely following the migration of the Sitka deer as they traveled north because of geographical and climate change in the area.
The Alexander Archipelago wolf is typically smaller than the other North American subspecies of wolf. Its coat is generally a dark gray, with varying patterns of lighter shades. Individuals from different islands in the archipelago have a propensity for different color phases, from pure black to combinations of black and white to a much brighter cinnamon color.
Alexander Archipelago wolves are found throughout southeastern Alaska (the Alaskan panhandle) except the Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof Islands. Within that range, they inhabit the area that includes the Alexander Archipelago, its islands, and a narrow strip of rugged coastline that is biologically isolated from the rest of North America by the Coast Mountains.
Alexander Archipelago wolves are good swimmers and often travel between nearby islands. Like other Grey wolves, they are social animals, living, hunting, and traveling in packs. The alphas are the leaders of the pack, establishing the group's territory, selecting the den sites, tracking down, and hunting prey. They live in close ties with the members of their pack, communicating with each other through a wide variety of calls, including barks, whines, howls, and growls. Grey wolves are nocturnal predators. They move around their territory when hunting, using the same trails for extended periods. Grey wolves do not actually howl at the moon; they tend to howl when the night is lighter, which usually happens during the full moon.
Alexander Archipelago wolves are carnivores. Their primary prey is the Sitka black-tailed deer, which comprises as much as 90% of an individual's diet. The other frequently consumed species, less than 10%, is the North American beaver. The average Alexander Archipelago wolf eats an estimated 26 deer per year. This subspecies also consumes large amounts of salmon in addition to deer, beavers, Mountain goats, and small mammals.
Like with other Grey wolves within a pack, only the alpha male and female breed. The alphas are monogamous, mating for life until one of the mates dies, after which a new alpha male or female is determined, and the pair is re-established. In southeast Alaska, pups are usually born during the last 2 weeks of April. Dens are usually built 4-5 weeks prior to the birth, between the roots of trees, in small caves, or crevices in rocks, abandoned beaver lodges, or expanded mammal burrows. The litter of this subspecies usually consists of 3-7 pups.
The Alexander Archipelago wolf is one of the world's rarest wolf subspecies. The main threats include hunting and trapping, and the loss of the native habitat mainly due to the extensive logging conducted in the region's forest. Another serious threat to this subspecies is the decline of its primary prey species, the Sitka black-tailed deer, which is also in decline due to loss of habitat.
According to the Wikipedia resource, in 2014 the total population size of the Alexander Archipelago wolf was estimated to be around 60 individuals.
