You’ve probably heard of polar bears and penguins, but have you heard of the Arctic fox?

fox.jpgThis animal is built to survive the cold winds of the Arctic, with thick fur to keep them warm. The Arctic fox has a short muzzle, legs, and ears to conserve body heat and lots of fur on its paws that allows it to walk on snow and ice. It eats lemmings, a small rodent that is great food for the fox, as well as any other small mammals and plants it can find. It is found throughout the Arctic tundra, and in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Russia, Norway, Scandinavia, and even Iceland, where it is the only native land mammal. Did you know that this fox can even change its color? In the summer, its fur is brown, and in the winter, it changes its fur to white! This amazing fox can survive temperatures as cold as -58° F, and can burrow into the snow during a blizzard to create shelter. But the Arctic fox is also threatened in the cold of the Arctic. This poor fox is still hunted sometimes and it can also succumb to diseases. It is also prey of a very vicious and aggressive red fox, which has spread to its territory due to climate change. During mating season, this fox can give birth to an astounding number of up to 14 pups. The fox does not, in fact, hibernate and is active all year round. Their tail is about a foot long while they are about a 1.8 foot long. There are many interesting things about the Arctic fox, and there are plenty more to learn!

Credits: