Arctic foxes are omnivores, eating anything they can find. When food is scarce, it also eats its own feces.
The official name of this species is arctic fox. In addition, it is also called by other names such as white fox, snow fox.
Arctic foxes live in extremely cold areas. This species possesses a special heat exchange system, helping it not feel shivering from the cold even when the temperature drops to -70 degrees Celsius.
Another adaptive mechanism that allows the arctic fox to survive in such harsh conditions is its head area proportional to its mass and round body shape, which minimizes heat loss.
People often think that arctic foxes only have white fur, but in fact during the summer when the snow melts, their fur can change to a dark color to blend in with the environment.
The arctic fox’s ability to change color can be further enhanced. Studies show that arctic foxes living in snowy areas are not completely white, their fur can also be snow gray.
Arctic foxes live in underground burrows, dating back centuries, used by many generations of foxes. These are often very large tunnel systems and have up to 150 doors.
Depending on available food sources, mother foxes usually have 5-10 cubs, but in places with abundant food, this species can have up to 25 cubs in a flock.
Arctic foxes are omnivores, eating virtually anything they can find – from rodents, birds or fish, to seaweed and the leftover carcasses of larger predators. In case of food scarcity, it also eats its own feces.
Arctic foxes often hunt by breaking through thick layers of snow. To do that, it jumps high in the air and dives headfirst into the snow and ice.
When food sources are unavailable, arctic foxes can reduce their body’s metabolic rate by half to conserve energy.
Arctic foxes are often killed by polar bears, but in Canada, there is a case of strong friendship between these two animals. They played together and the giant bear even shared his food with the little fox.
Arctic foxes are famous for their ability to migrate long distances, which ranks as a record among all land mammals. Foxes’ main food is mice, so when mice migrate, arctic foxes also migrate, sometimes traveling up to several hundred thousand meters.
Arctic foxes are equipped with perfect senses of smell and hearing, but their eyesight is very poor.
Due to their small size (the average adult male weighs 3.5 kg and the female 2.9 kg), and their inability to defend themselves, arctic foxes are often eaten by Gulos, wolves and even wolves. also golden eagle. However, humans are the biggest threat to this amazing animal. Arctic foxes are often hunted for their fur to make luxury coats.
The lifespan of an arctic fox in the wild is usually only 3-6 years, but in captivity, it can live up to 15 years.
According to scientific classification, arctic foxes belong to the wolf family, but in contrast to wolves, arctic foxes often roam alone. They only tend to form monogamous pairs during the mating season.
Arctic foxes have very pigmented eyes that help protect them from harsh sunlight on ice and snow. Sometimes, it can become dyschromatic, creating eyes of different colors.
