We will explain the characteristics, ecology, and habitat of the arctic fox. Among foxes, it is by far the most resistant to cold, and even in the -70°C world of the Arctic, it only gets a little cold. It is an animal that gives the impression of being quite beautiful due to its beautiful pure white and fluffy fur, but its numbers are decreasing and it is in a dangerous situation.
What is an arctic fox? About basic status
The arctic fox is an animal classified as a mammal, in the order Felidae and the family Canidae. The scientific name is Vulpus lagopus. Body length 46–68 cm, tail length 26–42 cm. Weight is 2.5-8kg. Among mammals, foxes live in the arctic tundra climate of areas such as Finland and Canada. It has considerable strength in the natural world.
| Japanese（和名） | ホッキョクギツネ |
| English（英名） | Arctic Fox |
| scientific name(学名) | Vulpus lagopus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Carnivora、Canidae、Vulpes 哺乳綱、ネコ目、イヌ科、キツネ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 46–68cm |
| Weight（体重） | 2.5～8kg |
About classification
According to Wikipedia, there are subspecies of arctic fox. The following subspecies are distributed mainly in the Arctic Circle.
- ベーリング島ホッキョクギツネ（Vulpus lagopus beringensis）
- アイスランドホッキョクギツネ（Vulpus lagopus fuliginosus）
- グリーンランドホッキョクギツネ（Vulpus lagopus groenlandicus）
- ホール島ホッキョクギツネ（Vulpus lagopus hallensis）
- バロー岬ホッキョクギツネ（Vulpus lagopus innuitus）
- プリビロフ諸島ホッキョクギツネ（Vulpus lagopus pribilofensis）
- メードヌイ島ホッキョクギツネ（Vulpus lagopus semenovi）
- シベリアホッキョクギツネ（Vulpus lagopus sibiricus）
- スヴァールバル諸島ホッキョクギツネ（Vulpus lagopus spitzbergensis）
- アンガヴァホッキョクギツネ（Vulpus lagopus ungava）
Source : Wikipedia
Arctic fox taxonomy
- 界 (Kingdom)： Animalia（動物界）
- 門 (Phylum)： Chordata（脊索動物門）
- 綱 (Class)： Mammalia（哺乳綱）
- 目 (Order)： Carnivora（食肉目）
- 科 (Family)： Canidae（イヌ科）
- 属 (Genus)： Vulpes（キツネ属）
- 種 (Species)： Vulpes lagopus（ホッキョクギツネ）
About the habitat of the arctic fox
Arctic foxes live in the Arctic, Alaska, and Russia. They are animals that are very resistant to the cold. Because of their thick fur, they are unaffected by snowfall in winter.
Arctic Fox Habitat
Regional Distribution
Tundra around the Arctic Circle
Northern North America (northern Canada, Alaska)
Greenland
Northern Europe (Norway, Sweden, northern Finland)
Northern Russia (Siberia, Kola Peninsula, etc.)
Habitat
Tundra: Areas with no forests, consisting of scrub and grasslands
Coastal areas and ice fields: May live on sea ice in winter
Burrows: Protect from the cold by digging burrows in snow or the ground
Seasonal Migration
May travel short distances depending on food and weather conditions
May hunt for seal carcasses and seabirds on sea ice in winter
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The arctic fox is extremely resistant to cold, and can survive in a world with temperatures as low as -70 degrees Celsius. Their fur is very thick because they can live in extremely cold regions. 70% of the arctic fox’s body hair is undercoat, and they generally have a round body shape. Their ears are buried in fur, which helps them protect themselves from the cold by reducing the surface area exposed to the cold. The coat color of the arctic fox is brown to blackish brown on the back in summer, white or yellowish white on the belly, and the whole body becomes white in winter. It is possible to move through the ice and move around the area.
- Physical Characteristics
Size: Small to medium-sized fox. Body length: Approximately 46-68cm, tail length: Approximately 30-35cm
Weight: Approximately 3-9kg (varies with the season; stores fat in winter)
Coat Color:
Winter: White to mimic snow
Summer: Grayish-brown to brown
Ears: Small, rounded, adapted to maintain body temperature
Tail: Long and bushy, can wrap around the body when sleeping
- Ecological Characteristics
Environmental Adaptations: Tolerant to extreme cold, can survive down to -50°C
Diet: Omnivorous, but leans towards carnivorous
Main Food: Small mammals (lemmings), seabird eggs, fish
Side Food: Plants, fruit, carcasses (such as seals)
Activity: Generally active day and night, activity patterns change with the seasons
Swimming: Can swim short distances as needed
- Behavioral Characteristics
Territory: Solitary or in small families
Hunting: They capture small animals by ambushes and using their keen sense of smell and hearing.
Reproduction: They come into heat in the spring, and the mother fox raises her young in her den.
Warming: Their fur is very dense, and their tails and ears are also designed to protect them from the cold.
What will your personality look like?
Arctic foxes live alone in pairs and have a personality similar to that of a cat. They are strong at night, and sometimes they sneak up on small animals to eat them, but sometimes they just rest and sleep. From the looks of it, even their feet are white, so they can hunt without being seen by their prey. They are carnivores and can eat anything, from young to adults. As a small species, life is very tough in a harsh environment with temperatures below zero.
Arctic fox personality and behavioral tendencies
Highly cautious
Sensitive to predators and humans, they quickly hide when they sense danger
Primarily solitary and territorial
Highly curious
Sensitive to changes in food and the environment, they actively explore
Play in the snow and ice and search for small animals
Highly independent
Hunting and traveling are almost always solitary
Families and packs form only for a short time during the breeding season
Highly adaptable but cautious
Changes their range depending on food and weather conditions
Highly risk-averse, they avoid unnecessary risks
Personality changes during the breeding season
During the spring breeding season, males and females work together to raise their young and secure food
Mother foxes can become aggressive while raising their young
What is the ecology of the arctic fox?
Arctic foxes eat lemmings, plants, mice, small animals and birds, fish and dead seals. Because of their dependence on lemmings, it is even said that the population of arctic foxes changes depending on the population of lemmings. Arctic foxes are monogamous and their breeding season is from April to July. The gestation period is about 2 months and it is possible to give birth to 4-10 puppies. Children reach sexual maturity at about 10 months. Their lifespan is very short, ranging from 3 to 6 years.
- Habitat
Arctic tundra, coastal ice fields, and rocky areas
Areas with little forest cover, covered in snow and ice
In winter, they are sometimes active on snow fields and sea ice
- Diet
Main Food: Lemmings and small mammals
Other Food: Seabirds, eggs, fish, crustaceans, carcasses, roots, and fruit
Hunting Method: Captures prey by ambushes and digging through the snow (a method known as “hearing hunting”).
- Behavior and Activities
Activity Period: Active day and night (depending on season and food availability)
Territory: Lives alone or in small family units
Migration: Travels short distances depending on food and weather conditions
Warmth: Dense fur, rounded ears, and a bushy tail help maintain body heat
- Breeding
Mating season: Spring (March-April)
Gestation period: Approximately 52 days
Gives 4-7 kittens at a time
The mother fox is primarily responsible for raising the young, with the father sometimes bringing food.
As young foxes, they learn hunting and snow survival skills from their mothers.
- Seasonal Changes
Winter: White fur mimics snow and adapts to the cold.
Summer: Molts to grayish-brown to brown fur, mimicking the ground.
Food and activity range change with the seasons.
- Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Some areas are affected by climate change and habitat loss.
What are the natural enemies of the arctic fox?
The polar enemies of the arctic fox are polar bears and wolves.
About Arctic fox cubs
- Habitat
Arctic tundra, coastal ice fields, and rocky areas
Areas with little forest cover, covered in snow and ice
In winter, they are sometimes active on snow fields and sea ice
- Diet
Main Food: Lemmings and small mammals
Other Food: Seabirds, eggs, fish, crustaceans, carcasses, roots, and fruit
Hunting Method: Captures prey by ambushes and digging through the snow (a method known as “hearing hunting”).
- Behavior and Activities
Activity Period: Active day and night (depending on season and food availability)
Territory: Lives alone or in small family units
Migration: Travels short distances depending on food and weather conditions
Warmth: Dense fur, rounded ears, and a bushy tail help maintain body heat
- Breeding
Mating season: Spring (March-April)
Gestation period: Approximately 52 days
Gives 4-7 kittens at a time
The mother fox is primarily responsible for raising the young, with the father sometimes bringing food.
As young foxes, they learn hunting and snow survival skills from their mothers.
- Seasonal Changes
Winter: White fur mimics snow and adapts to the cold.
Summer: Molts to grayish-brown to brown fur, mimicking the ground.
Food and activity range change with the seasons.
- Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Some areas are affected by climate change and habitat loss.
Is the arctic fox an endangered species?
The arctic fox is not currently an endangered species. Although the situation is considered to be of low concern and stable, the situation is by no means optimistic. The reasons are as follows.
Exterminated as a pest
Arctic foxes often attack and eat livestock such as reindeer that live nearby. For this reason, there are many cases where they are exterminated as a result of retaliation.
conflict with foxes
Arctic foxes end up competing with other animals, such as red foxes, for food. We know that this is causing their population to decline.
Can arctic foxes be bred?
As you can see from the fact that arctic foxes attack livestock, they are quite ferocious and difficult to keep without a lot of skill. It is not recommended for the general public.
- Captivity
Ordinary households: Not permitted
Regulated by the Wildlife Protection Act and other national laws.
From the perspective of ecosystem conservation and endangered species protection, capturing and keeping them without permission is illegal.
Zoos and conservation facilities: Captivity is permitted with special permission.
Managed for breeding, education, and research purposes.
Ensuring a suitable environment, food, and space for movement is mandatory.
- Difficulties in Captivity
Adapted to extreme cold environments
Dense fur and round ears help them cope with the cold.
In warmer regions, they are at high risk of heatstroke and stress.
Strong wild instincts.
Highly cautious and not easily tamed.
Prefers solitary behavior and requires free exercise and hunting.
Special dietary habits
Requires a natural diet of small mammals, birds, and fish.
Feeding at home is extremely difficult to maintain in terms of nutrition and hygiene.
- Significance of Conservation and Captivity
Keeping in zoos and conservation facilities is for breeding, education, and research purposes.
As part of a reintroduction program, young animals are sometimes taught hunting and ecology.
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