Axel, along with his littermate Grayson, are arctic gray wolves (Canis lupus) born at a facility in Canada on May 2, 2016 and came to the Center on May 25, 2016. Axel may be distinguished by his almond-shaped eyes and somewhat slimmer face and narrow sloping muzzle. Of the two brothers, Axel has always displayed more physically domineering behavior toward his packmates.  He reacts with high excitement to pack dynamics, often with a high, rotating tail.

Arctic wolves’ native habitat is found in the northern regions of North America as well as along the eastern and northern shores of Greenland. Several large islands occupy this region including Ellesmere and Axel Hieberg islands. Axel’s name was selected in honor of the wolves that range on Axel Hieberg island.  This region is typically snow-covered for most of the year, but a mid-June to mid-August thaw supports enough plant material to feed the arctic wolf’s prey: musk-ox, caribou, and arctic hares.

For more information on our ambassador wolves, watch extended wolf videos on the International Wolf Center’s YouTube Channel or enjoy a close-up of wolf behavior on our Wolf Watch Cams.