Animal Facts

The fox of the snow, the Arctic fox, calls the north of the north its home. Its habitat ranges from northern and western Alaska, northern Quebec, Russia, Greenland, Northeast Alberta, Northern Canada and more. The Arctic fox is an incredibly hardy animal, as it should be! Temperatures can go deep into the negatives where it lives. This strong animal is recorded to have been able to survive at temperatures as low as -58 degrees Fahrenheit! It's lush white, fuzzy soles, short ears and short muzzle all are important features that allow it to survive the harsh climates.

Arctic foxes sport a dazzling white, sometimes blue-gray coat that serves as very effective winter camouflage. The natural colors of it's coat and it's habitat allow the animal to blend into the endless abyss of the frost-bitten tundra. Arctic foxes live in burrows, and they may make tunnels in the snow during a blizzard to create a shelter. As the seasons change, so does the fox's coat. It's not magic, it's natural! The fox's pelt becomes brown or gray in the summer to blend with the summer tundra's plants and rocks. When winter comes again, the fox becomes a pearly white or blue-gray again. A female Arctic fox gives birth to a litter of fourteen pups every spring.

This camouflage helps the animal hunt rodents, birds, even fish effectively. Because the winter prey can be scare on the ground, the Arctic fox will follow polar bears and eat it's scraps. When available, foxes will also eat vegetables. Similar to a cat's, the fox's thick tail helps it stay balanced. The tail also comes with another advantage; it serves as a warm over in old weather.