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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.

The residents

Information will soon be available.

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

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.

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

Verdenskort