Arctic Fox

Arctic foxes are opportunistic hunters and scavengers. Although the preference is small mammals, foxes will eat insects, berries, and carrion (dead animals or leftover kills from other predators). In the winter and for coastal populations, the diet consists of marine mammals, invertebrates, sea birds, and fish. For foxes living more inland and during the warmer months, diet consists of mostly lemmings and migrant birds. During the summer months when food is more readily available, foxes will collect excess food and store it in holes dug into the ground for later consumption.

At the Zoo, Arctic foxes receive quail, mice, fish, rabbits, eggs, and sometimes other food-based enrichment.

Distribution of the species occurs throughout the Arctic, extending across Eurasia, North America, Greenland, and Iceland.

Arctic foxes prefer Arctic and alpine tundra habitat, usually in coastal areas. This species also extends its range over sea ice.

Predators include red fox, wolverine, golden eagles, and humans.

Hunting Arctic fox for fur has historically contributed to population declines, but that threat has reduced greatly in modern times. Current threats include sea ice loss due to climate change, the increase spread in diseases and parasites in some populations, and direct persecution trapping or poisoning due to being deemed a “nuisance” species by humans.

Best known for its white winter coat, during the summer the coat becomes grayish brown with light grey or white on the belly. The change in color allows them to blend in with the environment – white in the winter for snow and brown for emerging rocks, soil, and vegetation in the summer and spring. In areas with a less sever climate, foxes may retain their darker coat throughout the year.

The dense, woolly coat of this species has the best insulating properties of all mammals, and helps this species survive at temperatures of -58 degrees Fahrenheit. During warmer times of the year, the dense undercoat is shed, and the thickness of the coat reduces by nearly half. Their round, compact bodies minimize surface area that is exposed to the cold air. Some other adaptations for life in the Arctic include small, heavily furred ears and a short nose to reduce heat loss. Arctic fox have increased blood flow to the feet pads to prevent freezing. The arctic fox's paws are also covered in dense fur during the winter, giving it the name " lagopus", which means " the rabbit footed".

When food is not available, the Arctic fox can reduce its metabolic rate by half while remaining active, thereby conserving energy and allowing more time to find food.

Arctic foxes generally mate for life. Mating season for Arctic foxes usually occurs from April through July, with one litter being born from April to June and the second litter in July or August. Males will mate again with the female a few weeks after the first litter is born. The average gestation period is about two months, with the number of pups usually ranging between 5 and 8. Pups are born covered with short, velvety, dark brown fur and this fur lengthens and becomes lighter after the pups reach 2 weeks of age.

Pups are born and nursed inside complex dens, which provide shelter and protection against predators. Some den sites are centuries old, used by numerous generations of foxes, and can become very large, with 4 to 8 entrances. Both parents contribute to the rearing of the young, with the female providing milk for the first three weeks and rarely leaving the den, while the male brings food. As the cubs begin to take more meat, the female also starts hunting. In some cases, the pair is assisted by one of the female offspring from the previous year. The young become independent and leave the den at 8 to 10 weeks old.

During the breeding season, Arctic fox pairs are strongly territorial, marking territory boundaries with urine, and employing vocalizations and postures, such as holding the tail erect. Vocalizations can range from a loud yowl if the distance is long, to a high-pitched sound as a warning of danger. Arctic foxes secrete odor from glands under their fur and have extremely odorous urine described as smelling like the spray of a skunk.

Arctic foxes live a communal and nomadic life, regularly forming small groups to scavenge for food. They do not hibernate during the winter months.