Arctic Fox

This week we are looking at the Artic Fox, which is also known as the white fox, polar fox, or snow fox, is a small species of fox native to the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and common throughout the Arctic tundra biome.  

The Arctic tundra biome is a vast, dry, and rocky region that stretches from the Arctic Circle to the polar ice cap, and includes parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, and northern Europe. 

It is well adapted to living in cold environments, and is best known for its thick, warm fur that is also used as camouflage. It has a large and very fluffy tail.  Its body length ranges from 46 to 68 cm (18 to 27 in), with a generally rounded body shape to minimize the escape of body heat.

In the wild some do not live past their first year, but others live for 3 or 4 years in the wild and up to 14 years in captivity.

They prey on many small creatures such as lemmings, voles, ringed seal pups, fish, waterfowl, and seabirds.  It also eats carrion, berries, seaweed, and insects and such.

 They form monogamous pairs usually mate for life and during the breeding season and they stay together to raise their young in complex underground dens. Occasionally, other family members may assist in raising their young.

Their natural predators are golden eagles, artic wolves, polar bears, wolverines, red foxes and grizzly bears.

They must endure great temperature differences between the external environment and their internal core temperature. To prevent heat loss, they curl up tightly tucking its legs and head under its body and behind its furry tail. This position gives the fox the smallest surface area to volume ratio and protects the least insulated areas. Arctic foxes also stay warm by getting out of the wind and residing in their dens.  Although the Arctic foxes are active year-round and do not hibernate, they attempt to preserve fat by reducing their locomotor activity. They build up their fat reserves in the autumn, sometimes increasing their body weight by more than 50%. This provides greater insulation during the winter and a source of energy when food is scarce.

The Arctic is home to more than 630,000 Arctic foxes and they are not currently at risk from extinction, but populations are declining. Arctic foxes are well adapted to winter temperatures of -34C. They are born with thick fur and their snout, ears and legs are short to conserve heat.