09-20-2019, 02:18 PM
Arctic Fox Study
Vulpes lagopus
HB Length: 18 to 26.75 in
Tail Length: 13.75 in
Weight: 6.5 to 17 lbs
Appearance: Arctic foxes have white (sometimes blue-gray) coats that act as very effective winter camouflage. When the seasons change, the fox's coat turns as well, adopting a brown or gray appearance that provides cover among the summer tundra's rocks and plants.
Their rounded body shapes provide further insulation by preventing further heat loss, and even the soles of their feet are covered in fur to protect them as they walk on snow.
An arctic fox's thick tail acts as balance, like a cat's, but also as a blanket in the winter, providing extra warmth as they curl up into tight balls, minimizing their surface area to volume ratio.
Behavior:
Arctic foxes must endure a temperature difference of up to 90-100 °C (194-212 °F) between the external environment and their internal core temperature. They survive in temperatures as low as –50 °C (58 °F) in their natural habitat.
Although arctic foxes are active year-round and do not hibernate, they attempt to preserve fat by reducing their locomotor activity. During autumn, they build up their fat reserves, sometimes increasing their body weight up to 50%; providing greater insulation during the winter and a source of energy when food is scarce.
Generally, arctic foxes eat any small animal they can find, including lemmings, voles, other rodents, hares, birds, eggs, fish, and carrion. When present, lemmings are their most common prey. In winter prey can be scarce on the ground. At such times, arctic foxes will follow other predators—such as polar bears—to eat the leftover scraps from its kills. Foxes will also eat plants, such as vegetables, berries and seaweed.
During the spring, the arctic fox's attention switches to reproduction and a home for their potential offspring. They reside in large, maze-like dens borrowed into the ground to avoid predators and stay warm.
Primarily monogamous, both arctic fox parents will care for their offspring. Breeding usually takes place in April and May with litters as large as 25 pups. The young emerge from the den at 3 to 4 weeks old and are weaned by 9 weeks of age. The young become sexually mature at 9-10 months of age. In the wild, arctic foxes live to about 3-5 years, and about 10 in captivity.
[align=center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EiV-ERKRRs[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqgIIhIM3OE&t=107s[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSflRbBMu_M[/youtube]
Vulpes lagopus
HB Length: 18 to 26.75 in
Tail Length: 13.75 in
Weight: 6.5 to 17 lbs
Appearance: Arctic foxes have white (sometimes blue-gray) coats that act as very effective winter camouflage. When the seasons change, the fox's coat turns as well, adopting a brown or gray appearance that provides cover among the summer tundra's rocks and plants.
Their rounded body shapes provide further insulation by preventing further heat loss, and even the soles of their feet are covered in fur to protect them as they walk on snow.
An arctic fox's thick tail acts as balance, like a cat's, but also as a blanket in the winter, providing extra warmth as they curl up into tight balls, minimizing their surface area to volume ratio.
Behavior:
Arctic foxes must endure a temperature difference of up to 90-100 °C (194-212 °F) between the external environment and their internal core temperature. They survive in temperatures as low as –50 °C (58 °F) in their natural habitat.
Although arctic foxes are active year-round and do not hibernate, they attempt to preserve fat by reducing their locomotor activity. During autumn, they build up their fat reserves, sometimes increasing their body weight up to 50%; providing greater insulation during the winter and a source of energy when food is scarce.
Generally, arctic foxes eat any small animal they can find, including lemmings, voles, other rodents, hares, birds, eggs, fish, and carrion. When present, lemmings are their most common prey. In winter prey can be scarce on the ground. At such times, arctic foxes will follow other predators—such as polar bears—to eat the leftover scraps from its kills. Foxes will also eat plants, such as vegetables, berries and seaweed.
During the spring, the arctic fox's attention switches to reproduction and a home for their potential offspring. They reside in large, maze-like dens borrowed into the ground to avoid predators and stay warm.
Primarily monogamous, both arctic fox parents will care for their offspring. Breeding usually takes place in April and May with litters as large as 25 pups. The young emerge from the den at 3 to 4 weeks old and are weaned by 9 weeks of age. The young become sexually mature at 9-10 months of age. In the wild, arctic foxes live to about 3-5 years, and about 10 in captivity.
[align=center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EiV-ERKRRs[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqgIIhIM3OE&t=107s[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSflRbBMu_M[/youtube]