Arctic Fox
(Vulpes lagopus)
Arctic Fox Quick facts
- also known as the white fox, polar fox, or snow fox
- smallest member of canine family
- is covered with thick white fur during the winter and grey-brownish fur during the summer
- Paws of arctic fox are covered with thick fur which facilitates movement across the snow and ice
- lives in the underground burrows that have up to 100 entrances
- have excellent sense of hearing and sense of smell which are used for detection of the prey. They can detect and catch the prey located underneath the snow
- are monogamous animals
- can endure temperatures as low as -50 °C before its metabolism increases to provide warmth
- can be found in Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland and Iceland
- Unlike some other mammals that live in cold climates, the Arctic fox doesn’t hibernate in the winter. Arctic foxes are active throughout the year