Arctic Fox

Vulpes lagopus

Arctic Foxes are also known as the white fox, polar fox, or snow fox. Their most distinguishable quality is their snow white coat that helps them blend into their surroundings as a form of camouflage in the arctic tundra. This coat is extremely thick and warm, which has helped the fox to adapt to the freezing cold temperatures, as low as -60°F. In addition to its thick coat, the rounded body shape of the fox helps to insulate and trap heat inside. Arctic foxes live in burrows, and in a blizzard may tunnel into the snow to create shelter. To help prevent heat loss, they will curl up tightly tucking their legs and head under its body and behind its furry tail. While they do not hibernate, and are active year round, in the fall autumn season they build up fat reserves. This helps to have more insulation during the winter when food may be scarce. In the summer, arctic foxes will shed their winter coats for brown and and cream colored fur.

Arctic Foxes are known to be omnivorous, preying on small creatures such as voles, seal pups, fish, waterfowl, and sea birds. Lemmings are a staple in the Arctic fox diet, however they are opportunistic hunters and will sometimes scavenge leftovers of predators, such as polar bears! Carrion, berries, seaweed, insects and other small invertebrates make up the rest of their diet. They have a very sharp sense of smell, and their keen noses help them to detect seal lairs more than a mile away. Additionally their advanced hearing helps them to detect food under the surface of the icy tundra. When hunting they can be seen intently listening to the ground for movement, as they pounce down with the force of their paws to break the surface and find a meal.