Common Name:
Arctic Fox / White Fox / Polar Fox / Snow Fox
Scientific Name:
Vulpes lagopus
Wild Status:
Least Concern
Habitat:
Arctic tundra and some boreal forests
Country:
Countries in Europe, Asia, and North America
Shelter:
Burrows, or tunneling in snow
Life Span:
3-4 years in the wild
Size:
18-27 inches long
Cool Facts:
- They are sometimes known as the "lemming fox" because their main prey in the tundra is the lemming.
- The Arctic Fox is the only canine that has fur covering their foot pads, and their bodies are generally round in shape to minimize body heat loss.
- They are the only known land mammals that are native to Iceland.
- Arctic Foxes with white coats live in the snowy tundra, while those that live near rocks and cliffs usually have a blue coloration.
- The sense of smell of the Arctic Fox is so strong they can detect a seal lair underneath almost 5 feet of snow.
Details:
The Arctic Fox is a small fox well adapted to cold temperatures, and native to Arctic regions. Its fur is very warm and thick, and can take on different colors depending on the environment to help with camouflaging. The diet of the Arctic Fox mainly consists of any small animals it can find, including rodents such as lemmings and voles, and then fish, birds, and eggs. The Arctic Fox has a very keen sense of smell, and while its hearing is strong like most canines, their hearing is still less sensitive than a domestic dog. Females will have 5-8 pups in spring, and then the parents will raise the pups together during summer. Although the Arctic Fox does not hibernate, in autumn they will build up fat to help stay warm during winter where food is often scarce.
Taxonomic Breakdown:
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Vulpes Species: V. lagopus