![]() They use their long tails to protect their head and body from the cold. ![]() To escape the freezing winds, they dig dens under the snow and into the ground in areas where the ground is not frozen. Behavior of the Arctic FoxĪrctic foxes are solitary, and roam large expanses of land in search of food. The foxes can learn to stand on scales to check their weight, open their mouths to check their teeth, and even voluntarily give blood. This species also learns very quickly, and zookeepers use positive reinforcement to teach them a variety of behaviors. Because they are so intelligent, environmental enrichment, like toys and puzzle feeders, is quite important. Zookeepers feed them a variety of rats, mice, rabbits, and other small mammals. They do not require extensive space, and they are not particularly picky eaters. These foxes thrive in a zoological setting. Because of this, they require specialized care, and most people cannot provide this. However, they are wild animals, and not domesticated. Some people do keep Arctic foxes as pets. Humans have not domesticated Arctic foxes in any way. Regardless of this hunting, the IUCN lists the population as a whole as Least Concern. However, that does not mean that humans never interact with these foxes.Īrctic foxes have soft white coats, and fur trappers commonly target this species in the lower ranges of their habitat. Particularly in the farthest reaches of the north, freezing temperatures tend to make it inhospitable for humans. Usually, humans and foxes do not interact. These foxes are also scavengers, and happily steal mouthfuls of the kills of polar bears and wolves. They also eat hares, seal pups, small rodents, birds, and more. Prey is relatively scarce, but these scrappy little foxes take what they can find! Their primary prey source is lemmings, and the lemming population directly impacts the Arctic fox population. They also live in vast expanses of Russia and northern Europe. Arctic foxes live in Northern North America and Greenland, throughout much of Canada and Alaska. ![]() They are found throughout the entire pole, also known as circumpolar distribution. This species of fox is widespread across the Arctic Circle. They also live in forested areas on the edge of the Arctic. These foxes live in the tundra, and on the pack ice of the Arctic. During the summer lush grasses and flowering plants grow, but only for short periods. The ground is permafrost, or permanently frozen. Arctic tundra is cold, frozen, and has no trees. The ecosystems in the Arctic are incredibly harsh. This pastime is obviously incredibly dangerous, thankfully Arctic foxes are swift and skillful little creatures. They shadow the massive polar bears, and when the bears have finished eating, the foxes sneak scraps off of their kills.
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