# Arctic Fox (*Vulpes lagopus*) Arctic foxes live in cold, snowy places and have thick white fur in winter. They are excellent hunters and can survive extreme cold. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Arctic tundra. - **Also known as:** Polar Fox, White Fox ![Arctic Fox](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425776/objects/4373.jpg) ## Appearance The Arctic Fox is a small, dog-like mammal with short legs, a compact body, and a very bushy tail. It famously changes its coat from a dense white in winter to a thinner brown or gray-blue in summer, providing excellent camouflage. Its small, rounded ears and short muzzle reduce heat loss. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Vulpes ## Interesting facts - An Arctic fox's fur is so warm, it won't shiver until -70°C! - Arctic foxes can travel huge distances, sometimes over 2,000 miles, to find food! - They dig complex dens with many entrances, used for centuries by fox families! - When food is plentiful, foxes bury extra prey in snow for frozen pantries! ## Special abilities - **Super Camouflage:** Arctic Fox can change its fur color from white to brown with the seasons, helping them blend perfectly into their changing environment. - **Frostproof Fur:** Arctic Fox has incredibly thick, insulating fur that helps them stay warm and survive in temperatures as low as -50°C. - **Under-Snow Hearing:** Arctic Fox can hear tiny prey moving under thick layers of snow, which helps them pounce and catch food even when it's hidden. - **Warm Tail Blanket:** Arctic Fox uses its long, bushy tail to wrap around its body like a blanket, keeping them warm and protected during cold arctic nights. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 46-68 cm - **Weight:** 2.9-9 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-6 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Litter Size:** 5-16 - **Gestation:** 52-54 days ## Diet & Feeding They are agile hunters that mainly eat small animals, birds, and eggs, but will also scavenge. - **Primary Foods:** Lemmings, Voles, Arctic Hares, Ptarmigan, Seabird Eggs, Carrion - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Norway Lemming (*Lemmus lemmus*) — A primary food source, especially in winter. - **Hunts:** Willow Ptarmigan (*Lagopus lagopus*) — Preys on these birds and their eggs. - **Depends on:** [Polar Bear](https://www.snappit.app/explore/polar-bear) (*Ursus maritimus*) — Scavenges leftovers from bear kills. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Larger red foxes can predate them. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Tundra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tundra): This habitat trait refers to species inhabiting tundras, which are treeless biomes characterized by permafrost, cold temperatures, and low-growing vegetation. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Do not approach — wild animal. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Arctic Fox? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Arctic Fox? 46-68 cm ### How much does Arctic Fox weigh? 2.9-9 kg ### How long does Arctic Fox live? 3-6 years ### How fast can Arctic Fox move? 50 km/h ### What does Arctic Fox eat? They are agile hunters that mainly eat small animals, birds, and eggs, but will also scavenge. ### Where is Arctic Fox usually found? Arctic tundra. ### How does Arctic Fox hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Buffalo Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/buffalo-zoo) — New York, US · Zoo - [Big Bear Alpine Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/big-bear-alpine-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Ranuan Eläinpuisto](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ranuan-el-inpuisto) — Lapland, FI · Zoo - [Stone Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stone-zoo) — Massachusetts, US · Zoo - [Zoo am Meer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-am-meer) — Bremen, DE · Zoo - [Wild- und Erlebnispark Daun](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wildpark-daun) — Rheinland-Pfalz, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Arctic Fox](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/arctic-fox) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Arctic Fox: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-fox)