Arctic foxes, alopex lagopus or vulpes lagopus, are the only native land mammals within their range. Their heads and bodies measure 1.5 to 3.5 feet (0.45 to 1.1. meters) in length, with their tails adding an additional 12 to 13.75 inches (30 to 35 centimeters). At shoulder height, they stand 9 to 12 inches (23 to 30 centimeters). They weigh anywhere from 3 to 21 pounds (1.4 to 9.5 kilograms), with males usually being slightly larger than females. Arctic foxes are also commonly referred to as snow foxes and white foxes due to their white (sometimes blue-gray) fur that they sport during the cold winter months. During the summer however, their coats will change to a brownish grey coloration in order to better camouflage themselves among the tundra rocks and plants.
Arctic foxes can be found throughout the Arctic tundra, which includes Alaska, Canada, Norway, Scandinavia, Russia, Greenland and Iceland. They have many tools to help them live in such harsh conditions. Their small size help reduce the amount of surface area that is exposed to the cold air. Their thick fur of course, is vital to their survival (They even have a thick layer of it on their paws) as it allows them to maintain a consistent body temperature. Their tails also help to keep their faces warm when the temperature drops particularly low.
The diet of arctic foxes consists mainly of rodents, birds and fish. When food is scarce during the winter, they will often follow polar bears and eat the scraps that they leave behind. Arctic foxes will even eat vegetables if the opportunity presents itself. They hunt their prey with the help of their noses and ears, which allow them to pinpoint exactly where their prey is underneath the snow. Their fur allows them to get close to their prey without being seen, and when they hear their meal under the snowpack, they will leap into the air and pounce right on their victim, penetrating through a layer of snow in the process. Arctic foxes have few natural predators, with polar bears and wolves being a couple of the creatures to actively hunt them down.
Breeding season for Arctic foxes takes place from early September to early May, with males and females usually mating for life. After a gestation period of around 2 months, females will give birth to a litter of anywhere from 5 to 15 pups (5 being the average) in their dens. Both parents will raise the pups until they are old enough to fend for themselves. If the pups can survive long enough, then they can live to be up to 6 years old.
Arctic foxes are not necessarily an endangered species, but their populations rise and fall with that of their prey. They also face danger from climate change and illegal hunting, as many creatures are. Red foxes even pose a threat as they will take over territory when conditions are less extreme. Hopefully, arctic foxes can find a way to overcome such obstacles and not have to face the possibility of extinction. After all, such a magnificent and unique fox species deserves to live and prosper for future generations to see.
