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Arctic fox

( Vulpes lagopus )

The Arctic fox has an amazing adaptation to living in the coldest regions. No other mammal has such insulating fur. In fact, the Arctic fox can stay warm even when it is -40 °C without increasing its metabolism. When it does so, it can live where it gets as low as -70 °C. In the summer, the Arctic fox changes from its thick white winter fur to a dark brown summer fur, so it can more easily hide from both prey and enemies.

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Hear the Arctic fox

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Weight

3-8 kg

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Habitat

Tundra and ice

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Diet

Carnivore

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Offspring

4-8 puppies

Get to know Arctic fox

Classification: Mammals

Order: Predators

Family: Canidae

Distribution: Arctic regions around the North Pole, as well as isolated populations in Sweden and Norway

Habitat: Tundra and ice

Lifespan: Up to 4-6 years

Body length: 55-65 cm + 30-35 cm tail

Shoulder height: 35-40 cm

Weight: Male: 3-8 kg Female: 3-5 kg

Sexual maturity: 1 year

Oestrus: May

Gestation: 52-53 days

Number of offspring: 4-8 puppies, usually 4-5 each year

Diet: Carnivorous; smaller mammals, birds and bird eggs

Habitat

The Arctic fox lives in some of the harshest regions on Earth, namely the Arctic tundra. It prefers open, cold landscapes without trees, where there is access to small rodents such as lemmings and voles, seabird colonies, carrion, and other seasonal food sources. The Arctic fox digs its dens into dry slopes, often with a good view of the surroundings and ideally close to prey colonies. These dens can be over 100 years old and are used by generations of Arctic foxes.

The Arctic fox is extremely adapted to the cold climate. It has one of the warmest coats of any mammal and can survive temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius. In winter, its fur turns white to blend in with the snow-covered landscape, while in summer it becomes brown or grey to match the tundra. When food is scarce, Arctic foxes are capable of traveling vast distances – some individuals have been tracked covering more than 3,000 kilometers.

Climate change is affecting the Arctic fox’s habitat in several ways. As the Arctic warms, lemming cycles become disrupted, making it harder for the fox to find food. Additionally, the red fox is expanding further north and now competes directly with the Arctic fox for territory and resources.

Distribution

The Arctic fox lives in some of the world’s harshest and coldest environments and is naturally distributed throughout the Arctic region. It can be found in northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, northern Scandinavia, Siberia, and as far as northern Alaska. The species is highly adapted to life on the tundra and in permafrost areas, where it hunts small rodents like lemmings and also scavenges birds, carrion, and leftovers from polar bear kills.

In Norway and Sweden, small populations of Arctic fox still survive in mountainous areas, but the species is critically endangered in Scandinavia. Targeted conservation efforts are underway in the region, including the release of captive-bred individuals and supplemental winter feeding to increase survival.
Globally, however, the Arctic fox is not considered threatened and maintains stable populations in many parts of the Arctic. Its distribution generally follows areas with low temperatures and sparse vegetation.

Distribution

The Arctic fox lives in some of the world’s harshest and coldest environments and is naturally distributed throughout the Arctic region. It can be found in northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, northern Scandinavia, Siberia, and as far as northern Alaska. The species is highly adapted to life on the tundra and in permafrost areas, where it hunts small rodents like lemmings and also scavenges birds, carrion, and leftovers from polar bear kills.

In Norway and Sweden, small populations of Arctic fox still survive in mountainous areas, but the species is critically endangered in Scandinavia. Targeted conservation efforts are underway in the region, including the release of captive-bred individuals and supplemental winter feeding to increase survival.
Globally, however, the Arctic fox is not considered threatened and maintains stable populations in many parts of the Arctic. Its distribution generally follows areas with low temperatures and sparse vegetation.

The Arctic fox enclosure

The Arctic foxes moved into Scandinavian Wildlife Park in the year 2000. Their enclosure is 900 m² and is designed to allow them to dig dens and tunnel systems, just as they would naturally do in the wild. There are also rocks, trees, and platforms so they can move up to higher levels.

The enclosure also includes small shelters where the Arctic foxes can find shade and rest. This setup gives them great opportunities to thrive and display their natural behavior.

The residents

Scandinavian Wildlife Park is home to 2 Arctic foxes. Arctic foxes come in two color morphs: the white Arctic fox and the blue morph. The white Arctic fox has a pure white winter coat and a brownish summer coat. The blue morph has a more greyish winter coat and a dark grey, almost black summer coat.

The Arctic foxes living in the park are both blue morphs.

Name:

Vega

Born:

12.05.2023

Vega moved to Scandinavian Wildlife Park in 2024 together with her sister Aurora. 

Name:

Aurora

Born:

12.05.2023

Aurora moved into the park in 2024 together with her twin sister Vega. 

Verdenskort