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Artic Fox (Alopex lagopus)
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Length:
Height:
Weight:
Gestation:
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Up to 3 ft.
Up to 12 in.
5-11 lb.
50-63 days
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Status:
The arctic fox is suffering from rabies as well as other fox species. Hunters trap arctic foxes, but the arctic fox is still hanging in there.
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Report by Jesse
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Physical Characteristics
The arctic fox goes through two color phases: white and blue. During the winter the arctic fox is white with black at the tip of its tail; it's a grayish brown in the summer. The blue Arctic fox is a dark blue during the winter; in the summer it is brown.
The fox has short ears and long fur, which helps preserve body heat. Although they have small ears they have excellent hearing. Their feet are big and hairy (which helps them to move quickly across the snow). These small creatures can jump 2 ft!
Habitat / Daily life / Hunting and Feeding
The arctic fox lives in polar regions. They live in small groups made up of one adult male and the rest females and young. The fox is territorial and its territories are usually 2100-18000 acres long. Territories are established by the amount of food available.
Arctic foxes are carnivores and eat marine animals, lemmings, rodents, birds and carrion. Sometimes the Arctic fox will follow polar bears and feed on the leftovers.
Reproduction and Young
After a period of 50-63 days up to 25 pups are born. Only about half generally survive. Breeding is once a year in late winter. The father of the family stays and guards the den or he goes out hunting to bring back food to the young.
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