External environments -
temperature regulation (skin/fur)
These white wolves live throughout the Arctic regions where the land is covered with snow and ice for most of the year. They have adapted very well to this icy environment as they have features such as white fur, which allows them to blend into their snowy surroundings. To help reduce heat loss, they have more-rounded ears, a shorter muzzle and shorter legs than other wolves. They also have hair between the pads of their feet and long, thick fur to keep them warm in extremely low temperatures.
The wolf is an endothermic mammal. Their body temperature rises and falls just like all other mammals and so they need to maintain and regulate their body temperature within a set and safe range. The average body temperature of a wolf is 37 degrees.
When their body temperature increases, heat is lost from the increased blood flowing at the skins’ surface. As a wolf breathes in, air travels through the nasal passage and is cooled before it reaches the lungs. However, as the snowy environment becomes warmer during the summer, Arctic wolves regulate their body temperate by panting which cools them down via the respiratory system. Wolves do not use sweating through their skin as their cooling mechanism. When a wolf becomes hot the brain will send signals to different parts of the body. In return, the wolf’s heart and lungs will work harder as it breathes in and out quicker and pants to reduce their body temperature.
If the wolf becomes too cool, it can generate heat by increasing muscular activity (exercise or shivering). If it becomes too warm, it decreases heat production and increases heat loss.
senses (smell, sight, taste, hearing, touch)
The wolf is very advanced and contains incredible abilities such as smell, sight, taste, hearing and touch. All of these features of the wolf are used externally as they smell scents from the outside and they see things that are far distances away from them. They taste their prey’s meat that is at first outside of their body and they hear many different sounds coming from their surroundings. They also touch and feel things like their pack members and prey from the outside of their own body.
These are all classified as external senses which are extremely useful to them. Their advanced vision can help when hunting and during the night. To taste their prey, they use their mouth and sharp teeth. Their taste buds then come alive with different flavours which include; salty, bitter, sweet and acidic.
The arctic wolves hear many different sounds which pass through their ear ways. As they have tiny hair in their ear holes, it acts as extra protection. They are also able to touch and feel during mating, hunting and eating. The wolves feel their legs when running after prey and they also feel the food (being digested) go down their throat and into their stomach.
These wolves are very sensitive to their five senses and so it helps to be strong animals. They use all of their senses at all times and would not be able to survive without them.
These are all classified as external senses which are extremely useful to them. Their advanced vision can help when hunting and during the night. To taste their prey, they use their mouth and sharp teeth. Their taste buds then come alive with different flavours which include; salty, bitter, sweet and acidic.
The arctic wolves hear many different sounds which pass through their ear ways. As they have tiny hair in their ear holes, it acts as extra protection. They are also able to touch and feel during mating, hunting and eating. The wolves feel their legs when running after prey and they also feel the food (being digested) go down their throat and into their stomach.
These wolves are very sensitive to their five senses and so it helps to be strong animals. They use all of their senses at all times and would not be able to survive without them.
Internal environments -
waste removal (kidney)
The arctic wolf needs to digest lots of meat from other animals such as caribou to stay alive. The wolf digests about 5kg of meat a day. It can’t survive without its daily intake of food and so this means that there must be a place where the excess waste can go. This waste is produced from the body as it processes the food eaten.
While the kidney is where the blood is being cleaned, it is also where waste products are removed from the blood that regulates the water fluid levels. The kidney receives blood through the renal artery where the blood is passed through the nephrons. This is where waste products and excess water passes out of the blood stream.
It affects the wolf in a positive way as it helps to balance and sort the right amounts of waste to be removed. The kidneys also maintain strong and healthy bones which is a very important living requirement that the wolf needs for movement.
While the kidney is where the blood is being cleaned, it is also where waste products are removed from the blood that regulates the water fluid levels. The kidney receives blood through the renal artery where the blood is passed through the nephrons. This is where waste products and excess water passes out of the blood stream.
It affects the wolf in a positive way as it helps to balance and sort the right amounts of waste to be removed. The kidneys also maintain strong and healthy bones which is a very important living requirement that the wolf needs for movement.