Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus)

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Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Canidae
• Genus: Vulpes
• Species: Vulpes lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common Names by Region

• General / English: Arctic Fox, White Fox, Polar Fox
• North America: Arctic Fox
• Europe / Scandinavia: Arctic Fox
• Russia / Siberia: Polar Fox
• Scientific / Academic: Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus)

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Description

General Appearance

The Arctic fox is a compact, cold-adapted canid specialized for life in extreme polar environments. It has a rounded body, short muzzle, small ears, and heavily furred paws, all of which reduce heat loss.

Seasonal coat changes are one of its most distinctive traits:

• Winter: Dense white fur for insulation and camouflage
• Summer: Brown, gray, or bluish coat matching tundra terrain

A rare “blue morph” maintains darker coloration year-round.

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Size

• Body Length: 18–27 in (46–68 cm)
• Tail Length: 12–14 in (30–35 cm)
• Weight: 6–17 lb (2.5–8 kg), seasonally variable

Body mass increases in winter through fat storage.

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Fur and Insulation

The Arctic fox possesses one of the warmest coats of any mammal. Its fur covers:

• Ears
• Nose margins
• Footpads
• Tail

This insulation allows survival at temperatures below −50 °F (−45 °C).

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Sensory and Physical Adaptations

• Excellent hearing for detecting prey under snow
• Thick foot fur for traction and insulation
• Short limbs and ears to minimize heat loss
• Highly efficient metabolism in cold climates

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Known Range

• Circumpolar Arctic regions of:
  • Northern Canada and Alaska
  • Greenland
  • Iceland
  • Scandinavia
  • Russia and Siberia

Found primarily in tundra, coastal plains, sea ice margins, and polar deserts.

Seasonal movements may extend hundreds of miles following prey availability.

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Care / Habitat

Natural Habitat

• Arctic tundra
• Coastal ice fields
• Polar plains
• Permafrost regions

Dens are dug into raised ground, often reused for generations.

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Diet and Feeding

Arctic foxes are opportunistic omnivores. Primary foods include:

• Lemmings and voles
• Seabirds and eggs
• Fish and carrion
• Seal remains from polar bear kills
• Berries and vegetation (seasonal)

They cache surplus food in frozen ground.

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Behavioral Ecology

• Mostly solitary outside breeding season
• Highly mobile and migratory when needed
• Uses scent marking for territory control
• Active year-round (no hibernation)

They may follow polar bears to scavenge remains.

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Propagation / Reproduction

Breeding Cycle

• Mating Season: March–April
• Gestation: ~52 days
• Birth Period: May–June

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Litters and Development

• Litter Size: 5–14 kits (can exceed 20 in high-prey years)
• Kits are born blind and dependent
• Both parents provide care
• Weaning occurs at 6–8 weeks

Large litters reflect adaptation to fluctuating prey populations.

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Pests / Diseases / Threats

Natural Threats

• Polar bears
• Wolves
• Golden eagles
• Larger fox species

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Diseases and Parasites

• Rabies
• Distemper
• Mange
• Internal parasites

Disease outbreaks can severely affect populations.

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Human and Environmental Threats

• Climate change reducing tundra habitat
• Competition from expanding red fox populations
• Historical fur trapping
• Industrial development in Arctic regions

Warming temperatures favor larger competitors, placing pressure on Arctic fox populations.

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Additional Notes

• The Arctic fox has the most temperature-resistant fur of any mammal studied.
• It can reduce metabolic rate during food shortages.
• Individuals have been recorded traveling over 2,000 miles across sea ice.
• Some populations exhibit strong site fidelity to ancestral dens.
• The species plays a key role in tundra nutrient cycling through scavenging and caching behavior.

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Maintenance / Management

Conservation Status

• Global Status: Least Concern (with regional declines)
• Sensitive Populations: Scandinavia, parts of Russia

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Management Practices

• Habitat protection
• Red fox population control in sensitive regions
• Supplemental feeding programs (localized)
• Long-term population monitoring

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Ecological Importance

Arctic foxes function as:

• Keystone scavengers
• Small mammal population regulators
• Nutrient redistributors
• Indicators of climate-driven ecosystem change

Their population trends closely track the health of Arctic tundra systems.