Chapter 1: Arctic Fox (introduction)

The arctic fox or Vulpes lagopus is known by many names. Among the popular aliases are polar
fox, white fox, and snow fox.

The arctic fox is a small animal that resides in the Northern Hemisphere Arctic regions. They are
commonly found in the Arctic tundra biome. While some species in the animal kingdom may
find it difficult to survive in cold climate, living in a cold environment is simply a way of life for
the arctic fox.

Among the arctic fox's other features, its deep and thick fur allows it to adapt to extremely cold
temperatures. Its fur turns brown in the summer months but it becomes clean and white as snow
in the winter. The animal uses this white coat for camouflage. An arctic fox can survive in the
wild and live from 3 to 6 years.

Chapter 2: What they look like (anatomy)

The average size of an arctic fox is 85.3 cm for body length. Its body is round-shaped. This shape
allows it to survive in the most frigid of environments as it helps minimize the amount of heat
that escapes its body.

Its thick fur actually consists of a system that allows countercurrent heat exchange affecting the
circulation of heat in the paws. This feature helps maintain temperature and allows the storage of
body fat for survival.

In addition to the arctic fox's thick and deep fur, it is also easily identifiable by its round body
shape. It also has short legs and muzzle and its ears are rather thick and short as well. Because its
body has a low surface area, less of it is also exposed to cold climate. All of the fox's features
help with heat conservation so it can stay comfortable even in the midst of the coldest
temperature in the Arctic.

The thick tail of an arctic fox helps the animal balance its body, but it is especially useful as a
blanket during the winter.

Chapter 3: What they eat (feeding)

The arctic fox preys on smaller animals. Its usual diet includes voles, hares, owls, lemmings, and
carrion among others. Arctic foxes generally prefer lemmings for food. In fact, a group of foxes
can manage to eat about a dozen lemmings in one day.
During April and May, the arctic fox likes to feed on baby ringed seals. These are the times when
the younglings are kept in a snow den which makes them an easy target. For variety, the arctic
fox also feasts on fish that are commonly found beneath the ice. They also eat seaweed and
berries. Such a diet makes the arctic fox an omnivore.

When food is abundant, the arctic fox will get rid of the extra food and bury the prey. On the
other hand, when the food supply is scarce, the arctic fox will consume anything. They resort to
scavenging and may even feed on the feces of polar bears and other larger predators.

Chapter 4: Where they live (geography)

This fox can be found all throughout the Arctic. Some of them are reside in the outer edges of
Alaska, Russia, Canada, Greenland, and Svalbard. Others can be located in the alpine and
subarctic areas which include Scandinavia and Iceland.

Like other foxes, the arctic fox makes a den or digs a burrow where it can safely live to survive
the harsh winter. It usually makes its den on a cliff or in a hillside. It may also build one along a
river bank. They may also be found living in caves which makes it much easier for them to live
and survive in the wild.

Chapter 5: Social life

The arctic fox is perceived to be a solitary animal like other species of fox. They only meet in
groups during mating season. While these animals do not hunt in groups like wolves do, it does
not necessarily mean they live alone. The truth is a dominant fox will pair with a dominant
female. This pairing usually lasts a lifetime.

Most arctic foxes are monogamous. They may hunt, travel and feed by themselves. However,
they also occasionally meet with their partners—albeit briefly—and spend time grooming and
playing with each other. It is also common for a pair to live with other foxes which usually
consist of their offspring.

Chapter 6: Mating

Arctic foxes are known to mate for life. The male arctic fox picks a female to mate with early on
in the spring time. To be able to get the attention of the female, the male will call, hiss, and
scream.
After selecting a mate, the male arctic fox marks and stakes out his territory in preparation for
the mating process itself. Arctic foxes have playful mating habits. They tend to nip and scamp
each other as a common ritual before mating. When the female gives birth, both parents take care
of their babies until the young are strong enough to hunt on their own.

Chapter 7: Babies

A baby arctic fox is called a pup or a kit. A female adult fox can give birth to seven or up to
fifteen babies. When they are born, babies have their eyes closed. It is up to both the father and
mother arctic foxes to care for them. They are able to open their eyes in three weeks time, but
these babies remain helpless for one and a half months.

The pups or kits are kept in a den with the mother staying with them. It becomes the father's duty
to provide protection and hunt for food.

The babies fiercely compete with each other for food especially when the supply is scarce.
Fighting with each other is a common scenario as long as they live in a den together.

Chapter 8: Behavior

The arctic fox is a nomadic animal. It tends to travel and move from one place to another in an
effort to search for food. During the summer, they may be seen in family groups. Such a group
consists of a dominant male and female along with their kits or pups. Another adult female may
tag along with the group which is usually the leftover kit from the previous year.

This female does not mate or breed. It is this arctic fox's duty to help take care of the new babies.

When the arctic foxes meet together in groups, they tend to fight with each other. The most
common reason for their arguments is food.

Chapter 9: Habitat

The arctic fox is usually found in the alpine tundra and in the Arctic. Its habitat range includes
western and northern Alaska and Canada. They can be found in the Northwest Territories as well
as in northern Manitoba, Russia, Quebec, Greenland, and northeast of Alberta. There are some
records, though, that indicate some arctic foxes can be located in the regions farther south.

Because it is rocky, barren, and lacks much vegetation, the tundra is not a place that is easy to
live in. The arctic fox, however, is a highly adaptable animal that can survive in such an
environment.
Chapter 10: Predators (risks)

Although the arctic fox is considered as one of the larger types of carnivores in the Arctic, it also
has its share of predators. It is a common prey of other much larger predators including wolves
and polar bears. Snowy owls and other larger birds of prey also hunt arctic foxes for food. Along
with these predators, humans also pose a threat to this species which are killed for their furry
coats.

While polar bears are common predators of arctic foxes, the latter usually follow the formers’
trails when food is in short supply. That is because arctic foxes resort to eating the feces of polar
bears or scavenge for their leftovers when food supply becomes inadequate.

Chapter 11: Sense

The arctic fox has a particularly keen sense of hearing. Its sense of smell is also incredibly
sensitive. Such senses come in handy when they hunt for food.

Arctic foxes have the ability to sense their prey even from afar or even when they are buried in
the snow. Their sense of smell is even stronger than that of dogs. In fact, these animals are
equipped with more than 200 million scent receptors found on their noses alone.

These foxes’ great sense of hearing allows them to detect the smallest of prey over great
distances. Their rather big ears make it possible for them to detect sounds no matter how weak.

Chapter 12: Health

In addition to food scarcity and the hunting of predators, there is another factor that affects the
decline of the arctic fox population. This has something to do with their health. Scientific
findings have found out that this species has suffered from the effects of mercury exposure for a
long time. It especially applies to those who rely and feed on food which is obtained from the
ocean. The high mercury level in their bodies has a huge adverse impact on their health.

Mercury has been found in seals and marine birds which the coastal foxes feed on. As this
species consumes such animals as food, they also become exposed to mercury.

Chapter 13: Lifespan

Baby arctic foxes are born in the late spring. They stay with their parents until they are capable
of hunting for food on their own. They usually become dependent by the next winter season.

The male arctic fox heads out and leaves the family to find a suitable partner. On the other hand,
some of the female arctic foxes stay in the den to help the mother care for new babies.

The arctic fox can survive in the wild on an average of four years. Their survival is heavily
dependent on the lemming population which is their main prey. When the number of lemmings
dwindles, there is a great chance that the arctic fox population will also decrease.

If an arctic fox finds an adequate supply of food and manages to avoid falling prey to polar
bears, snowy owls, and humans, it may be able to live on for up to 10 years.

Chapter 14: Evolution

Speculations have stated that certain events in the past have driven the arctic fox to move into the
cold regions. It is believed that the move is mainly due to the fox's search for food which more
likely occurred during the Ice Age. Eventually, they have adapted excellently to their new
environment.

This is evident in the kind of coats they have, in the builds and shapes of their bodies, and other
notable features that make them comfortable no matter how cold their habitat is. Even the way
this animal's coat color changes along with the seasons in order to hunt for food more easily and
avoid falling prey is part of the evolutionary process. The arctic fox's thicker coat and the layer
of fur on its feet are exemplary.

Chapter 15: CAUTION

It is less likely for anyone to come across an arctic fox in the wild, but if you happen to come
face to face with one in captivity, it may be smarter not to make any attempt to play with it. For
one, this species is known for biting.

Do not be fooled by their cuteness and their adorable fur. They are fierce predators by nature.
Without proper training, they may still carry such a hostile temperament with them. This is
especially dangerous because they are known as carriers of rabies and other dangerous parasites.
You should therefore learn to control yourself when you encounter one and do not give in to the
temptation of cuddling or petting them.

Chapter 16: Diseases

Rabies is probably one of the most common diseases that affect foxes in general. The same
applies to the arctic fox. Aside from rabies, other diseases may also be carried by arctic foxes.
Among the most fatal are distemper and encephalitis. This became much more apparent when
the arctic fox's population was still high.

Another health issue that arctic foxes are confronted with involves the presence of parasites in
their bodies which are found both externally and internally. In fact, for a long time they were
known for being a main host of Echinococcus Multilocularis which is a dangerous type of
parasite.

Chapter 17: Hunting

The hunting skills of a fox are comparable to that of a cat. That is they let the prey come to them.
When the prey moves in close enough, that is when they jump and use their paws to pin down
the animal. They pounce and punch at their victims.

The way the arctic fox's fur color changes also comes as a favorable offensive asset. During
winter, their fur becomes white as snow, and during the summer months, their fur turns brown.
This form of natural camouflage makes it much easier for them to blend in with the surroundings
and catch their prey off guard. This also serves as a defense mechanism to avoid being seen by
larger predators.

Chapter 18: Color

Arctic foxes are very well known for their adorable white coats. In other cases, their furry coats
appear blue-gray. They possess natural hues that help them blend in with nature especially in the
snow and ice.

However as the seasons change, the color of their coats also changes. In the summer, their fur
turns brown and gray which allows them to blend in easily with the tundra plants and rocks.

Each kit is born with a brownish coat. As the young arctic fox ages, the fur turns white. From
then on, the color of the coat changes along with the season.

Chapter 19: Reproduction

From September to May, arctic foxes are very active. The gestation period of a pregnant arctic
fox takes about 52 days. The average number of babies the female fox gives birth to is seven but
some can give birth to as many as 15 or 25.
Arctic foxes are monogamous by nature. The pups or kits are born in the summer and they are
raised in dens.

Mating season occurs between the months of February and June. When the mother gives birth,
she stays with the newborn/s while the father heads out to hunt for food. To help with child
rearing, a female arctic fox from the previous year's litter usually stays with the family.

Chapter 20: Scientists (what Scientists say about the Arctic Fox)

The declining population of the arctic fox is a growing concern. According to research, there are
a couple of factors that bring about such an issue. While the role of predators should not be
discounted, scientists conclude that the survival of this species is also dependent on the number
of lemmings and rodents which they mainly feed on.

According to the latest studies however, there is another culprit to the declining population. That
culprit is the mercury which is found in some of the animals they feed on including seals and
marine birds. Because of mercury exposure from eating such animals, the health of the arctic
foxes that eat them also becomes affected. This has a huge adverse impact on arctic fox
conservation efforts.