Wild Personalities: Arctic Fox

At first glance, the furry Arctic Fox with its small, pointed ears and kohl-rimmed eyes might be mistaken for a stuffed animal. However, its diminutive size and gentle appearance belies a stealth hunter adapted to survive bitter subarctic temperatures.

In fact, every part of the Arctic Fox’s appearance—from its thick fur, which is the most insulating of any Arctic animal, to its short legs and small frame which are easier to keep warm—helps it thrive in its frigid natural habitat.  Get Inspired By Photos, Videos, Webinars, Stories, And Exclusive Offers. Sign Up

It’s not just the fox’s appearance that denotes adaptations to the climate. The Arctic Fox has an omnivore diet that ranges from berries and fish to birds, insects, and eggs, depending on conditions and availability. But the bulk of its diet is made up of lemmings, small rodents that run beneath the snowy tundra in winter. An Arctic Fox is able to listen for these rodents’ high-pitched sounds, locate the source, and then pounce headfirst into the snow to capture its prey, much like a seabird swoops into the water to catch a fish. 

Although an Arctic Fox doesn’t need to hibernate, if food is especially scarce it may dig a den and slow its metabolism for about two weeks, creating a kind of mini-hibernation and keeping it safe from predators while it rests.