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Arctic foxes have been known to follow polar bears to feed upon their leftover carrion.
photo: Tom Gillespie
Characteristics: The arctic fox typically weighs 8-9 pounds. Male foxes are slightly larger then the females.
In the winter months they have a bushy white or slate blue coat which is replaced by a thinner brown coat in the summer.
These animals can be found on the arctic tundra and ice as well as in the alpine zone of Norway and Sweden
Diet: Arctic foxes are opportunistic feeders. Foxes that live on islands typically feed on seabirds and their eggs. Foxes living inland hunt voles, lemmings and other small mammals. Arctic foxes have been known to follow polar bears to feed upon their leftover carrion.
Reproduction: Arctic foxes are monogamous animals that mate for life. A typical litter consists of 8-9 whelps but can be significantly larger or smaller, depending on how much food is available in a particular year.
Environmental Connections:
While the arctic fox is abundant in some places, in others it has suffered declines due to habitat loss and hunting.
Arctic foxes were once coveted for their beautiful white coats. When the demand for fur declined, the foxes were no longer hunted. Being an introduced species to some Arctic islands, their unchecked populations have caused declines in seabird numbers.
Protecting arctic foxes means preserving the habitats in which they live. No ecosystem stands alone, so it is important that we work to protect ecosystems on a global level.
What You Can Do
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N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.
The Zoo is closed Christmas day and during severe weather. Call our information line at: 1-800-488-0444.
