About
The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is perfectly adapted to the Arctic's extreme cold. Its thick fur provides insulation at temperatures down to -70°C — the best insulation of any mammal. Its compact body with small ears and short muzzle minimizes heat loss. In winter, the Arctic fox turns completely white for camouflage; in summer, it turns brown or grey.
Arctic foxes follow polar bears to scavenge leftovers from seal kills during winter when food is scarce. They cache food in summer when prey is abundant — one fox was recorded with 50 little auk eggs stored in a single cache. They have the most variable diet of any canid, eating everything from berries to lemmings to seabird chicks.
# Top 10 Arctic Fox facts
- 1Arctic fox fur is the warmest of any mammal relative to weight — it insulates at -70°C
- 2They follow polar bears to scavenge seal remains in winter — one of nature's unusual partnerships
- 3Arctic foxes change color completely — white in winter, brown in summer
Fascinating Facts
- ◆Arctic fox fur is the warmest of any mammal relative to weight — it insulates at -70°C
- ◆They follow polar bears to scavenge seal remains in winter — one of nature's unusual partnerships
- ◆Arctic foxes change color completely — white in winter, brown in summer
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