Arctic fox

See also: Fox (homonymy)

The arctic fox or fox isatis ( Vulpes lagopus ), is small a native Renard areas Arctique S of the northern Hemisphere.

The arctic fox lives in mediums where the temperatures are very low in winter. It can resist temperatures of -70° C. the arctic fox is smaller than the russet-red fox. It measures (tail of 30 cm not included/understood) approximately 50 cm and weighs from 1 to 9 kg. Its morphology is adapted cold. Its ears are smaller and its shorter muzzle. Its low size and its fur enable him to limit the heat loss. Under each leg, it has a tuft of hairs which enables him to be insulated against the cold. Its white fur in winter enables him to better merge with snow, thus improving its camouflage. In summer, its peeling is brown. This change of color enables him not to be considering when it drives out. Its long tail is used to him as cover the night in order to keep with the heat its nose and its legs. Its food mode varies with the seasons. In winter, it follows the polar bears (or the wolves) and finishes the carcasses of animals given up by those. In summer, it nourishes birds, eggs of birds, insects, fish and small mammals. The arctic foxes of Europe nourish primarily lemmings (kind of small wild guinea-pig). Its hairs contain air and it is necessary a strong wind so that this fox really suffers from the cold.

List subspecies

Vulpes lagopus beringensis Merriam, 1902.
Vulpes lagopus fuliginosus (Bechstein, 1799).
Vulpes lagopus lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758).
Vulpes lagopus pribilofensis Merriam, 1902.

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