Arctic Fox

The Arctic fox is a small species of fox native to the Arctic region in the northern hemisphere of the world. It is also known as the white fox (owing to its pure white coat) as well as polar fox and snow fox (owing to the fact that it is found in the snow clad polar areas of the Arctic region.) Its binomial names are Alopex lagopus and Vulpes lagopus. It is one of the few animals which can survive in the extremely cold conditions which prevail in the Arctic region, and the superb adaptation skills of this animal play a key role in its survival.

Basically, there are four subspecies of the Arctic fox:

• The Bering Islands Arctic fox
• The Iceland Arctic fox
• The Pribilof Islands Arctic fox
• The Greenland Arctic fox

As their names suggest, they are named on the basis of the place wherein they are found. Each of these species differ from each other slightly, and if you don't know much about the species it will be quite difficult for you to differentiate between them.

Arctic Fox Information

Description: Generally, the Arctic fox sports a pure white colored coat made from thick fur, which is intended to protect it from severe cold. On an average, this species grows to attain a length of 33-43 inches, excluding the tail - which is around 12 inches long. The average shoulder height for this species ranges anywhere between 9-12 inches. In males, the weight ranges between 7-21 lbs, wherein the same ranges between 4 to 17 lbs. Overall, the appearance of this species resembles to that of some dog breed to a significant extent. Even though this animal may seem adorable enough to be kept as a pet, keeping it as a pet is not all advisable.

Habitat: The natural habitat of the Arctic fox is typically characterized by snow clad regions with extremely cold temperatures in the northern hemisphere. The geographical range of this species spans across the polar regions in countries such as Greenland, Russia, Canada and Alaska. While the sightings of this species in Iceland and Scandinavian peninsula are quite common, occasional sightings are also recorded in countries such as Norway, Sweden and Finland.

Diet: It can feed on anything that it comes across - right from small mammals, such as lemmings and Tundra voles, to carrion. In polar regions, the carcasses of dead animals do not decompose owing to the extreme cold that prevails here, and these carcasses serve as an important source of food for the Arctic foxes. Other that this, these fox species also feed on small mammals, which burrow in ground, birds (as well as their eggs), which are found near the seafront, and fish, found in water sources. In times of food scarcity, they are known to feed on leftovers left by larger predators - such as polar bears and Arctic wolves.

Adaptations: When it comes to survival in extreme conditions, adaptations have a crucial role to play. In case of the Arctic fox, there are quite a few adaptations which help it survive the extreme cold in its natural habitat. The most important of these adaptations is the thick fur coat and body fat which helps it retain heat in its body. In fact, the fur coat sported by this species is warmest among the numerous mammalian species found in this region. Similarly, its narrow legs and rounded paws ensure minimal contact with cold ground. The pure white coat also acts as a camouflage when it comes to hunting (as well as saving itself from the larger predators). Other than these adaptations, the species has a peculiar habit of hiding food beneath the snow - a habit which comes handy in times of food scarcity.

Even though human encroachment has not yet affected their natural habitat directly, this species (along with other polar animals) has had to bear the brunt of human induced global warming off late. Rapidly melting polar ice and ever-shortening cold season have been fueling habitat destruction for the Arctic fox. Even though, the animal still enjoys the status of being a 'Least Concerned' species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the current trends suggest that the things are going to change sometime soon.