Arctic Fox Facts: Survival in Extreme Cold

Arctic foxes are small, resilient canines perfectly adapted to survive Earth's harshest environments. These remarkable animals thrive in Arctic tundra regions across North America, Europe, Asia, Greenland, and Iceland.

Extreme Cold Adaptations

Arctic foxes have evolved remarkable features to survive brutal Arctic winters. Arctic foxes can maintain normal body temperature in air as cold as negative 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They only begin shivering to generate heat when temperatures drop below that extreme. Even their foot pads are covered in fur, unlike most canines.

Seasonal Color Changes

Arctic foxes exhibit one of nature's most dramatic color transformations. Two main color morphs exist. The white morph turns completely white in winter for camouflage against snow. The blue morph is less common, making up about 1 to 5 percent of populations in most regions.

Diet and Hunting Strategies

Arctic foxes are opportunistic omnivores that eat whatever food sources their harsh environment provides. Lemmings make up a major part of their diet in most regions. These small rodents undergo population cycles of abundance and scarcity. When lemmings are plentiful, Arctic foxes may eat them almost exclusively.

Habitat and Behavior

Arctic foxes inhabit tundra regions in the northernmost parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. They also live on Arctic islands including Greenland, Iceland, and Svalbard. Complex dens can have over 100 entrance tunnels and multiple chambers. Some individuals migrate over 2,000 miles seasonally, one of the longest migrations of any land mammal relative to body size.

Reproduction and Family Life

Females give birth in underground dens after a 52 day gestation period. Litter sizes range from 5 to 10 pups but can reach up to 25 when food is abundant. Pups emerge from dens at 3 to 4 weeks old and begin playing outside under parental supervision. They nurse for about 9 weeks but start eating solid food around 4 weeks old.