Food habits of arctic wolves in Greenland

Abstract

Analysis of feces was used to determine natural prey of arctic wolves (Canis lupus) in Nansen Land, North Greenland (83°N, 43°W), and Hold with Hope, East Greenland (74°N, 22°W). A total of 461 feces was collected during summers 1991-1995. In Nansen Land (n = 110), muskox (Ovibos moschatus) was the major food of wolves with a frequency of occurrence of 79.4%. Lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) were the next most-important group with a frequency of 19.6%, followed by arctic hares (Lepus arcticus) at 7.5%, wolves at 0.9%, and arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) at 0.9%. Plastic and nylon rope occurred in three feces, suggesting scavenging on garbage. In Hold with Hope (n = 351), muskoxen also were the predominant prey with a frequency of 65.4%, followed by geese and other birds at 35.5%, lemmings at 10.2%, arctic hares at 2.3%, and beetles at 0.3%. Remains of garbage (paper and paint chips) occurred in one fece. Differences in availability of regional prey may best explain dissimilarity in food habits between areas, but seasonal differences in contents of feces also may be important.