About the Arctic Fox

Scientifically known as Alopex lagopus, the arctic fox is also called the white fox. It lives in the northern hemisphere, mainly in Northern Canada, Alaska, and around the Arctic Circle in the tundra and some coastal areas. It weighs around 2.5 to 9 kg and measures about 75 to 115 cm from nose to tail.

The name "white fox" comes from its coat. In winter, the fur is mostly white. When spring and summer arrive, the coat gets thinner and turns brown and black. The legs, back, and tail all become clearly brown. Some arctic foxes even have a bluish coat in winter, which grows darker in summer. These color changes help the fox blend in perfectly with its surroundings all year round.

Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) in its natural habitat
The arctic fox (scientifically Alopex lagopus) is compact, low to the ground, and perfectly built for tundra life.

Shelter & Survival

The arctic fox digs deep burrows in the side of cliffs to live in. It also shelters in dens or caves. When caught in a storm, it can even bury itself in the snow for warmth, then wrap its thick, bushy tail around its body like a blanket to stay warm.

That bushy tail does two jobs: it helps the fox keep its balance, and it acts as built-in insulation against the freezing cold. The arctic fox has an excellent sense of smell. It uses this to track prey that is hiding under a blanket of snow. Once it zeroes in on the target, it punches straight through the snow to catch it.

Arctic foxes are nomadic, they travel widely in their search for food. In summer, they live in small groups with mostly males, a few females, and the kits (baby foxes). The arctic fox grows up fast, reaching sexual maturity as early as 10 months. They are sexually active from September to May.

Arctic fox curled up with its bushy tail wrapped around its body
They use their tail as a blanket, the fox curls its body tight and wraps its thick tail around itself to stay warm.

This species has the warmest fur of any canid. Its compact, dense body reduces the surface area exposed to freezing temperatures. Short legs and thick fur also help it cope with extreme cold. Even the footpads have dense hair to protect them from ice and snow during hunts.

The arctic fox also has a clever trick inside its body. The arteries and veins in its legs run right next to each other. This means warm blood flowing out to the paws heats up the colder blood flowing back to the heart.

The result: although the paws stay cold, blood keeps circulating without a problem. The fox never loses too much body heat through its feet. It is one of nature's neatest built-in heating systems.

Hunting & Diet

Arctic fox leaping into the air, diving headfirst through snow to catch prey below
The pounce, the fox leaps high and plunges nose-first through the snow crust to pin prey underneath. That nose is the secret weapon.

Like most canids, arctic foxes are omnivores, they eat both meat and plants. Their menu includes arctic hares, lemmings, and ground squirrels. In summer, they also eat seaweed and berries. In hard winters, when hunting alone is tough, they follow wolves or polar bears and scavenge the leftover meat from their kills.

The polar fox is also a natural food-hoarder. It digs into the ground to bury extra food, using the frozen earth like a natural freezer to keep meals fresh for later. Its keen nose makes finding those buried stashes easy.

Snow foxes also regularly go after bird eggs and unguarded chicks, a quick, easy meal when other prey is scarce.

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Coat & Camouflage

The snow fox or the arctic fox is also the only one from the dog family to change the color of its coat seasonally.

Arctic fox in its summer coat, dark brown and black fur on rocky tundra
Brown-black summer coat of the Arctic Fox, by summer it blends into the rocky, plant-covered tundra instead of snow.
Arctic fox in its white winter coat walking across snow-covered tundra
White winter coat of the Arctic Fox, invisible against the snow, it can stalk prey or avoid predators without being seen.

Behavior & Family Life

New litters are born in early spring, after a gestation period of 52 days. A litter can have more than 20 kits, though the number is normally below 10. Both the male and the female look after the young ones. While males tend to wander off as the kits grow up, females usually stay with the family.

Like most canids, arctic foxes have a strong sense of family and togetherness. They use a wide range of sounds to communicate. Over long distances, a loud yowl carries the message. When there is danger nearby, a sharp, high-pitched yelp tells the kits to get to safety fast.

Arctic foxes can run at around 30 mph. Unlike gray wolves, they don't chase prey over long distances, they rely on stealth and a lightning pounce instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of the arctic fox?

Alopex lagopus

Why does the arctic fox change color?

It changes from white in winter to brown-black in summer for camouflage, it is the only member of the dog family that does this

How many babies can an arctic fox have at once?

Up to 25 kits in a single litter, the largest litter of any canid

How fast can an arctic fox run?

Around 30 mph, though unlike wolves they don't engage in long chases

What do arctic foxes eat?

They are omnivores, lemmings, arctic hares, ground squirrels, bird eggs, berries, seaweed, and winter carrion from wolves or polar bears

A young arctic fox cub
Arctic fox kits are born in early spring, both parents share the job of raising them through their first summer.

Predators & Threats

Arctic fox alert on a tundra rise, watching for danger
Constant vigilance, polar bears, wolves, and snowy owls are all threats. Kits are especially vulnerable.

Because of its small size, the arctic fox has quite a few enemies. Polar bears and gray wolves are constant threats. Grizzly bears are also known to go after arctic foxes. And for the kits, danger can come from the sky too, wolves and snowy owls are known to attack young pups.

Humans are another serious threat. Arctic foxes have been heavily hunted for their fur, and the slate-shaded coats are particularly prized by hunters.

Resting female arctic fox lying on rocky tundra ground
A resting female, after a long hunting day across the frozen tundra, rest is essential for energy conservation.

These were some fascinating facts about the arctic fox, also known as the polar fox. From its color-changing coat to its built-in heating system, it is one of the most remarkable survivors in the animal kingdom!

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