Species · GBIF taxon 5219303
Arctic Fox
Vulpes lagopusAlso known as White Fox, Polar Fox, Snow Fox
Arctic foxes navigate the extreme cold of the northern tundra using a compact, rounded body and heavily furred paws that act like snowshoes. Their coats undergo a dramatic seasonal transformation, shifting from a pristine white or blue-grey in winter to a brown and yellow-grey in summer to match the melting landscape. These resilient predators rely heavily on cyclic lemming populations, sometimes caching hundreds of prey items in the permafrost to survive the lean winter months.
TundraMammalCamouflage
Licensed referenceJonathen Pie https://unsplash.com/@r3dmax / CC0 · cc0
- diet
- Carnivorous (primarily lemmings, voles, seabirds, eggs, and carrion)
- family
- Canidae
- threats
- Climate change, competition with expanding red foxes, and disease
- life Span
- Typically 1 to 4 years in the wild, occasionally up to 11 years
LC
Can carry rabies and may bite if cornered; maintain a respectful distance at all times.
Can carry Arctic rabies, a viral disease transmitted through saliva that is fatal to humans and pets if untreated.
Never approach a wild fox, and report any strangely behaving individuals to local wildlife authorities.- Keep Distance: Avoid approaching den sites, especially during the spring pup-rearing season.
- Do Not Feed: Feeding habituates foxes to humans, increasing their vulnerability to traffic and disease.
- Watch for Tracks: Look for neat, single-file paw prints in the snow, which help them conserve energy.