Arctic Fox
Arctic Fox Facts
| Size | 20-24 in (50-60 cm) (body), 14 in (35 cm) (tail) |
| Speed | Up to 28 mph (45 km/h) |
| Weight | 6.6-17.6 lb (3-8 kg) |
| Lifespan | 3-6 years |
| Food | Lemmings, birds, carrion, feces of polar bears |
| Predators | Snowy owls, wolves, polar bears |
| Habitat | Arctic region |
| Order | Carnivore |
| Family | Dogs |
| Scientific name | Vulpes lagopus |
| Characteristics | White winter coat, brown summer coat |
Arctic foxes are classified as foxes. The most popular foxes are of course the red fox and the Arctic fox, yet there exist 15 species altogether (such as the fennec fox, Tibetan sand fox, bat-eared fox and the gray fox etc.). Their habitat is mainly the tundra, but they can also survive on the pack ice.
Arctic Foxes Have the Warmest Coat of all Mammals
The polar fox lives in the Arctic region and can survive temperatures as low as -94 degrees Fahrenheit (-70 degrees Celsius). Brrr! Even Eskimos would shiver there, because where they live, temperatures “only” reach -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius) during the winter. The coat of the Arctic fox is extremely dense, with about 70 % undercoat. The Arctic fox is wearing some “ski underwear”, so to speak.
To lose as little heat as possible, the polar fox has also rounded ears, a short muzzle and short legs. The Arctic fox has a thick coat on its paw pads as well to provide protection against the cold and safe walking in the loose snow.
What Are the Enemies of the Arctic Fox?
Its enemies include wolves, grizzly bears, wolverines, snowy owls and polar bears.
What do Arctic Foxes Eat?
Arctic foxes feed on lemmings, hares, mice, birds, berries, insects and carrion.
Arctic Foxes Follow Polar Bears
Arctic foxes often stick to the heels of the polar bears because they leave behind the remains of seals and other animals. Yet they hardly ever have conflicts with polar bears because Arctic foxes keep a safe distance to the Polar bears. In order to get at least something to eat in the inhospitable Arctic region, the Arctic fox even feeds on the feces of polar bears, because it contains large amounts of fat. Yuck.
No Winter Holidays for Arctic Foxes
Arctic foxes do not hibernate.
Do Arctic Foxes Have Good Hearing?
Arctic foxes have an excellent sense of hearing. They can hear small rodents below (!) the snow cover. They also have a very good sense of smell.
I’m Going to Wear White Today ... or Brown?
Depending on the season, the Arctic fox changes the color of its coat. During the winter it is white as snow and during the summer, when the ice has molten in the tundra, it is greyish-brown. So he is well camouflaged throughout the year.
Reproduction
The icy temperatures would make the young animals die from the cold immediately after birth. Therefore, Arctic foxes make use of warm and cozy dens with underground tunnels that are not affected by the bitingly cold permanent frost. The babies are born after a gestation period of about 50 days. They spend the first 3-4 weeks in the den. By the way, couples of Arctic foxes maintain a life-long partnership, cooperate to defend their territory and take care of their offspring together.
Large Family
Mass instead of class. When female Arctic foxes give birth, they usually have about 5-8 babies, hoping that at least a few of them would survive the icy cold.
Learn more about 9 Animals that Use Awesome Tricks to Survive the Winter
- Find out more:
- Polar Bear Facts
- Raccoon Facts
- Red Fox Facts
- Red Panda Facts
- Skunk Facts
- Walrus Facts
- Wolf Facts
- Watch now on animalfunfacts.net:
Video: How Do Animals Survive in the Arctic? - especially the Arctic fox
