Known for one of its most popular features, its thick warm fur, we find the Arctic fox in several areas around the world. While the foxes are becoming extinct in some areas, in most areas of the world, populations are thriving.
Characteristics
- The thick white fur that we know the foxes for acts as camouflage.
- Their fur changes color with the seasons.
- Because of its color, we also call the Arctic fox the white fox or snow fox.
- The lifespan of an Arctic Fox in the wild is an average of 3 to 11 years.
Habitat
- According to National Geographic, the adorable Arctic Fox can survive in icy temperatures up to -58 degrees. They survive the cold temperatures by burrowing deeply into dens. Their thick furry tails act as a blanket to help keep foxes warm.
- Arctic foxes don’t hibernate during the winter like some other animals.
- During wintertime, they can add up to half of their body weight in fat.
Diet
- The Arctic fox has a carnivorous diet. They eat small animals that are easy to catch, like squirrels, birds, lemmings and similar animals.
- Excess fat is another shield the foxes use against the blistering cold.
Reproduction
- Female Arctic foxes reproduce in the springtime.
- It takes just under two months to produce a new litter of pups.
- Male and female foxes frequently join to create monogamous bonds for raising cubs.
- The Arctic fox has an average of 14 pups and up to 25 per litter.
I didn’t know such a fox existed. This is definitely my type of fox 🥰
That’s a very large litter for a mammal. How many on a average survive?
This is a beautiful animal. But then all Fox are are beautiful.
So it seems my dog Charlie has white Fox’s DNA!
Or Samoyed DNA … did you test your doggie ? How cute
I wouldn’t think there would be enough food in the way of squirrels and birds, etc. to feed them during the winter months. There must be, but where does the liter of little foxes go for food? Just wondering.
Darryl
Although these facts are great to know, I wonder if all this talk about being thick white fur and it’s insulating properties will cause it to be sought out by poachers & the fur industry. I can see Carmella DeVille getting tired of spots before her eyes.