Wolf (Canis lupus)

[Tshokwane]

Wolves of the Rockies:
How to keep warm in extreme cold temperature.


Thick camouflaged seasonal fur (anatomical) - 
The coat of the arctic wolf is always thick and highly insulating. It is light in colour, often almost white though can be quite grey too in some individuals. There are inner and outer layers to the fur with the inner being shorter softer hairs for insulation and the outer longer hairs a water and snow-proof layer that gets thicker as the colder weather starts to arrive.
Fur on the paws (anatomical) - to insulate them from snow and ice and also provide for a better grip on slippery surfaces.
Thick layer of body fat (anatomical / physiological) - for insulation and food storage to help survive the winter when food supply may be intermittent.

Countercurrent heat exchanger in the paws (anatomical/physiological) 
- Along with many other animals including domestic dogs, there is a mechanism in the paws of arctic wolves that keeps them at a lower temperature than the body core so minimizing heat loss via this extremity that is in contact with the ground. Blood entering the paws is used to heat up blood that is leaving, this prevents the core from being cooled by heat loss at the extremities. Similar mechanisms are also found in the feet of birds such as ducks and penguins.

Info from http://www.coolantarctica.com

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