Arctic Fox

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus: Vulpes

Vulpes lagopus

Habitat & Distribution: tundra and alpine habitats, circumpolar / Arctic distribution (northern Asia, Europe and America) 

Diet: birds; mammals (lemmings, voles and seal pups), fish, eggs, berries, seaweed and carrion

Size: 

• shoulder height: 25 - 30 cm

• body length:

  • 41 - 55 cm (female)

  • 46 - 68 (male)

• body weight:

  • 1,4 - 3,2 kg (female)

  • 3,2 - 9,4 kg (male)

Lifespan

• 3 - 4 years (in the wild)

• up to 16 years (in captivity)

Description

The color and thickness of its fur depends on the season; it's used to camouflage itself with its surroundings and for thermoregulation! In the summer, the fur is relatively thinner, and is either dark gray to brown or bluish brown in color, blending in with the color of soil! Meanwhile, it is thicker in winter, often white or creamy white to mimic the color of snow!

The arctic fox has a long, bushy tail with a short snout and small ears. It has short, stubby legs with thick fur. All these characteristics help it survive in extremely cold weather! They say an arctic fox will only shiver once the temperature reaches a low of  -58°C! Its diminutive features reduce the surface area of its body that's exposed to cold air. Its foot pads also have thick fur that help them to remain above freezing point despite its cooling body. 

In the summer, it can use the evaporative cooling mechanism in its snout, similar to a dog. Its saliva will evaporate through its mouth and nose, creating a cooling sensation for the brain. Furthermore around 22% of its fur's surface area can quickly dissipate heat, keeping it cool in the summer!

Behavior

It is usually solitary. However, it gathers during the breeding season, and once it has children, live in packs with its partner and kits. The eldest kit of the former litter, usually female, tend to look after the next litter with the parents. 

In winter, it doesn't hibernate, but limits its movement. To keep itself warm, it will hide its feet and head underneath its body and thick bushy tail, burrowing safely in its nest. 

This fox is an opportunistic feeder, eating any small animal it can find (dead or alive) and berries. When winter comes, it usually trails after polar bears to eat their leftovers. In the summer, when food is more abundant, they can bury the leftovers in its nest for safekeeping. 

Reproduction

Usually monogamous and mate for life. Gestation period lasts about 49 - 57 days. The number of litter depends on food availability, usually around 3 - 4 kits, but can reach up to 25. These kits are unable to see or hear until they're 14 - 16 days old, and is tended to by both parents for 2 - 4 weeks. They reach maturity at 10 months old.

Communication & Perception

The arctic fox's hearing is not as sensitive as domestic dogs or other carnivores. Its hearing range is at the frequency of 125 Hz –16 kHz with a sensitivity of ≤ 60 dB in air. However this is enough to hear lemmings burrowing 10 - 12 cm under the snow.

Despite its less sensitive hearing, it has a really strong sense of smell. They can smell carrion from polar bear kills from a distance of 10 to 40 km! They can also find frozen lemmings under 46 - 77 cm of snow, and subniveal seal lairs under 150 cm of snow!!

Predator(s)

Birds of prey (bald eagles, hawks, golden eagles and snowy owls) and other carnivores (wolves, wolverines, brown bears, polar bears and domestic dogs)

Conservation Status : Least Concern (IUCN Red List; 2014)