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{{Speciesbox
| name = Arctic fox
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| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref =<ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |title=''Vulpes lagopus'' |name-list-style=amp |author=Angerbjörn, A. |author2=Tannerfeldt, M. |date=2014 |page=e.T899A57549321 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-2.RLTS.T899A57549321.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| status2 = G5
| status2_system = TNC
| status2_ref = <ref name="NatureServe">{{cite web|title=Vulpes lagopus|url=https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.100927/Vulpes_lagopus|website=[[NatureServe]] Explorer|access-date=17 April 2024}}</ref>
| taxon = Vulpes lagopus
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Linnæus|first=C. |title=Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I|year=1758 |publisher=Laurentius Salvius |location=Holmiæ (Stockholm) |page=40 |chapter=''Vulpes lagopus'' |chapter-url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/80764#page/50/mode/1up |edition=10th |access-date=23 November 2012 |language=la |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108003214/http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/80764#page/50/mode/1up|archive-date=8 November 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| range_map = Cypron-Range Vulpes lagopus.svg
| range_map_caption = Arctic fox range
| synonyms =
}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref>{{cite book|last1=Oken|first1=L. |title=Lehrbuch der Naturgeschichte |date=1816 |publisher=August Schmid und Comp.|location=Jena, Germany |volume=3 |page=1033|url=https://archive.org/stream/bub_gb_S5o5AAAAcAAJ#page/n1057/mode/1up}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Merriam|first1=C.H. |title=Papers from the Harriman Alaska Expedition. I. Descriptions of twenty-six new mammals from Alaska and British North America|journal=Proceedings of the Washington Academy of Sciences |date=1900|volume=2|pages=15–16 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8872019|jstor=24525852|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304210706/https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8872019|archive-date=4 March 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=Merriam1902>{{cite journal|last1=Merriam|first1=C.H. |title=Four New Arctic Foxes |journal=Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington |date=1902 |volume=15|page=171|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/3830761|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304210706/https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/3830761|archive-date=4 March 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>{{sfn|Merriam|1902|pp=171–172}}
}}
The '''Arctic fox''' ('''''Vulpes lagopus'''''), also known as the '''white fox''', '''polar fox''', or '''snow fox''', is a small species of [[fox]] native to the [[Arctic]] regions of the [[Northern Hemisphere]] and common throughout the [[Tundra#Arctic tundra|Arctic tundra]] [[biome]].<ref name=iucn /><ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Wozencraft |id=14000873}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/a/arctic-fox/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105080433/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/a/arctic-fox/|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2016|title=Arctic Fox {{!}} National Geographic|date=2010-09-10|website=Animals|access-date=2019-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Arctic fox {{!}} mammal {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/animal/Arctic-fox |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> It is well [[adaptation|adapted]] to living in cold environments, and is best known for its thick, warm fur that is also used as camouflage. It has a large and very fluffy tail. In the wild, most individuals do not live past their first year but some exceptional ones survive up to 11 years.<ref name="dx.doi.org" /> Its body length ranges from {{cvt|46|to|68|cm}}, with a generally rounded body shape to minimize the escape of [[body heat]].
The Arctic fox preys on many small creatures such as [[lemming]]s, [[vole]]s, [[ringed seal]] pups, fish, [[waterfowl]], and [[seabird]]s. It also eats [[carrion]], berries, seaweed, and insects and other small
==Behavior==
[[File:Alopex lagopus IMG 9019.JPG|thumb|left|A sleeping Arctic fox with its fluffy tail wrapped around itself and over its face]]
Arctic foxes must endure a temperature difference of up to {{cvt|90-100|C-change}} between the external environment and their internal core temperature.<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite journal|last1=Fuglesteg|first1=B. |author2=Haga, Ø.E. |name-list-style=amp |author3=Folkow, L.P. |author4=Fuglei, E. |author5=Blix, A.S. |title=Seasonal variations in basal metabolic rate, lower critical temperature and responses to temporary starvation in the arctic fox (''Alopex lagopus'') from Svalbard|journal=Polar Biology |date=2006 |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=308–319|doi=10.1007/s00300-005-0054-9|bibcode=2006PoBio..29..308F |s2cid=31158070}}</ref> To prevent heat loss, the Arctic fox curls up tightly tucking its legs and head under its body and behind its furry tail. This position gives the fox the smallest surface area to volume ratio and protects the least insulated areas. Arctic foxes also stay warm by getting out of the wind and residing in their dens.<ref name="ReferenceD">{{cite journal|last1=Prestrud|first1=P. |s2cid=45830118|title=Adaptations by the Arctic Fox (''Alopex lagopus'') to the Polar Winter|journal=Arctic |date=1991|volume=44|issue=2|pages=132–138 |jstor=40511073|doi=10.14430/arctic1529}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceC" /> Although the Arctic foxes are active year-round and do not hibernate, they attempt to preserve fat by reducing their locomotor activity.<ref name="ReferenceD" /><ref name="ReferenceE">{{cite journal |last1=Klir|first1=J. |last2=Heath|first2=J. |name-list-style=amp |title=An Infrared Thermographic Study of Surface Temperature in Relation to External Thermal Stress in Three Species of Foxes: The Red Fox (''Vulpes vulpes''), Arctic Fox (''Alopex lagopus''), and Kit Fox (''Vulpes macrotis'') |journal=Physiological Zoology|date=1991|volume=65|issue=5|pages=1011–1021 |jstor=30158555|doi=10.1086/physzool.65.5.30158555|s2cid=87183522}}</ref> They build up their fat reserves in the autumn, sometimes increasing their body weight by more than 50%. This provides greater insulation during the winter and a source of energy when food is scarce.<ref name="NOAA" />
===Reproduction===
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Arctic foxes tend to select dens that are easily accessible with many entrances, and that are clear from snow and ice making it easier to burrow in. The Arctic fox builds and chooses dens that face southward towards the sun, which makes the den warmer. Arctic foxes prefer large, maze-like dens for predator evasion and a quick escape especially when red foxes are in the area. Natal dens are typically found in rugged terrain, which may provide more protection for the pups. But, the parents will also relocate litters to nearby dens to avoid predators. When red foxes are not in the region, Arctic foxes will use dens that the red fox previously occupied. Shelter quality is more important to the Arctic fox than the proximity of spring prey to a den.<ref name="ReferenceB" />
The main prey of the Arctic fox in the tundra are lemmings, which is why the white fox is often called the "lemming fox". The white fox's reproduction rates reflect the lemming population density, which cyclically fluctuates every 3–5 years.<ref name="dx.doi.org">{{cite journal|last1=Pagh|first1=S. |last2=Hersteinsson|first2=P. |name-list-style=amp|title=Difference in diet and age structure of blue and white Arctic foxes (''Vulpes lagopus'') in the Disko Bay area, West Greenland|journal=Polar Research|date=2008|volume=27|issue=1|pages=44–51 |doi=10.1111/j.1751-8369.2008.00042.x|bibcode=2008PolRe..27...44P|s2cid=129105385|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="doi.org" /> When lemmings are abundant, the white fox can give birth to 18 pups, but they often do not reproduce when food is scarce. The "coastal fox" or blue fox lives in an environment where food availability is relatively consistent, and they will have up to 5 pups every year.<ref name="doi.org" />
Breeding usually takes place in April and May, and the [[gestation period]] is about 52 days. Litters may contain as many as 25 (the largest litter size in the [[Order (biology)|order]] [[Carnivora]]).<ref>{{cite book|last=MacDonald|first=David W.|title=Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids|year=2004|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-851556-2}}</ref> The young emerge from the den when 3 to 4 weeks old and are weaned by 9 weeks of age.<ref name="NOAA" />
Arctic foxes are primarily [[Monogamy in animals|monogamous]] and both parents will care for the offspring. When predators and prey are abundant, Arctic foxes are more likely to be promiscuous (exhibited in both males and females) and display more complex social structures. Larger packs of foxes consisting of breeding or non-breeding males or females can guard a single territory more proficiently to increase pup survival. When resources are scarce, competition increases and the number of foxes in a territory decreases. On the coasts of [[Svalbard]], the frequency of complex social structures is larger than inland foxes that remain monogamous due to food availability. In Scandinavia, there are more complex social structures compared to other populations due to the presence of the red fox. Also, conservationists are supplying the declining population with supplemental food. One unique case, however, is [[Iceland]] where monogamy is the most prevalent. The older offspring (1-year-olds) often remain within their parent's territory even though predators are absent and there are fewer resources, which may indicate [[kin selection]] in the fox.<ref name="doi.org" />
===Diet===
[[File:Fox with fish.jpg|thumb|An Arctic fox (summer morph) with [[salmon]]]]
Arctic foxes generally eat any small animal they can find, including [[lemming]]s, [[vole]]s, other rodents, [[hare]]s, [[bird]]s, [[Egg (food)|eggs]], fish, and [[carrion]]. They scavenge on carcasses left by larger predators such as wolves and [[polar bear]]s, and in times of scarcity also eat their [[feces]]. In areas where they are present, lemmings are their most common prey,<ref name="NOAA" /> and a family of foxes can eat dozens of lemmings each day. In some locations in northern Canada, a high seasonal abundance of migrating birds that breed in the area may provide an important food source. On the coast of Iceland and other islands, their diet consists predominantly of birds. During April and May, the Arctic fox also preys on [[ringed seal]] pups when the young animals are confined to a snow den and are relatively helpless. They also consume berries and seaweed, so they may be considered [[omnivore]]s.<ref name="Bockstoce2009">{{cite book|author=Bockstoce, J.R.|title=Furs and frontiers in the far north: the contest among native and foreign nations for the Bering Strait fur trade |year=2009 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HY6LvFMSxxwC&pg=PA41
Arctic foxes survive harsh winters and food scarcity by either hoarding food or storing body fat
==Adaptations==
The Arctic fox lives in some of the most frigid extremes on the planet, but they do not start to shiver until the temperature drops to {{cvt|-70|°C}}. Among its [[adaptation]]s for survival in the cold is its dense, multilayered [[pelage]], which provides excellent insulation.<ref name="smith"/><ref>Claudio Sillero-Zubiri, Michael Hoffmann and David W. Macdonald (eds.) (2004). [http://www.carnivoreconservation.org/files/actionplans/canids.pdf Canids: Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and Dogs] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200655/http://www.carnivoreconservation.org/files/actionplans/canids.pdf |date=23 September 2015 }}. IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group.</ref> Additionally, the Arctic fox is the only canid whose foot pads are covered in fur. There are two genetically distinct coat color [[Polymorphism (biology)|morphs]]: white and blue.<ref name="ReferenceD"/> The white morph has [[seasonal camouflage]], white in winter and brown along the back with light grey around the abdomen in summer. The blue morph is often a dark blue, brown, or grey color year-round. Although the blue [[allele]] is dominant over the white allele, 99% of the Arctic fox population is the white morph.<ref name="doi.org"/><ref name="dx.doi.org"/> Two similar mutations to [[MC1R]] cause the blue color and the lack of seasonal color change.<ref name=Vage2005>{{cite journal | title = Two cysteine substitutions in the MC1R generate the blue variant of the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and prevent expression of the white winter coat | year = 2005| doi = 10.1016/j.peptides.2004.11.040| last1 = Våge| first1 = D.I.| last2=Fuglei| first2 = E.| last3 = Snipstad| first3 = K. | last4 = Beheim| first4 = J. | last5 = Landsem| first5 = V.M. |last6=Klungland| first6 = H. | journal = Peptides| volume = 26| issue = 10| pages = 1814–1817| pmid = 15982782| hdl = 11250/174384| s2cid = 7264542| hdl-access = free}}</ref> The fur of the Arctic fox provides the best insulation of any mammal.<ref name="ADAPT">{{cite web |url=http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/arctic44-2-132.pdf|title=Adaptations by the arctic fox to the polar winter|access-date=2015-10-08|publisher=Arctic, vol.44 no.2|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201957/http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/arctic44-2-132.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
The Arctic fox has a low [[surface area to volume ratio]], as evidenced by its generally compact body shape, short muzzle and legs, and short, thick ears. Since less of its surface area is exposed to the Arctic cold, less heat escapes from its body.<ref name="DECGNL">[http://www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/snp/programs/education/animal_facts/mammals/arctic_fox.html Arctic Fox ''Alopex lagopus''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305031515/http://www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/snp/programs/education/animal_facts/mammals/arctic_fox.html |date=5 March 2016 }}. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador</ref>
===Sensory modalities===
The Arctic fox has a functional [[hearing range]] between 125 Hz–16 kHz with a sensitivity that is ≤ 60 dB in air, and an average peak sensitivity of 24 dB at 4 kHz. Overall, the Arctic foxes hearing is less sensitive than the dog and the kit fox. The Arctic fox and the kit fox have a low upper-frequency limit compared to the domestic dog and other carnivores.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stansbury|first1=A. |author2=Thomas, J.A. |name-list-style=amp |author3=Stalf, C.E. |author4= Murphy, L.D. |author5=Lombardi, D. |author6=Carpenter, J. |author7=Mueller, T. |title=Behavioral audiogram of two Arctic foxes (''Vulpes lagopus'') |journal=Polar Biology |date=2014|volume=37|issue=3|pages=417–422|doi=10.1007/s00300-014-1446-5|bibcode=2014PoBio..37..417S |s2cid=17154503}}</ref> The Arctic fox can easily hear lemmings burrowing under 4-5 inches of snow.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Perry|first1=Richard|title=The Polar Worlds|date=1973|publisher=Taplinger Pub. Co., Inc. |location=New York, New York|isbn=978-0800864057|pages=188 |edition=First |url=https://archive.org/details/polarworlds0000perr/page/188}}</ref> When it has located its prey, it pounces and punches through the snow to catch its prey.<ref name="DECGNL"/>
The Arctic fox also has a keen sense of smell. They can smell carcasses that are often left by polar bears anywhere from {{cvt|10|to|40|km}}. It is possible that they use their sense of smell to also track down polar bears. Additionally, Arctic foxes can smell and find frozen lemmings under {{cvt|46|–|77|cm}} of snow, and can detect a subnivean seal lair under {{cvt|150|cm}} of snow.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lai|first1=S. |last2=Bety|first2=J. |last3=Berteaux|first3=D. |name-list-style=amp |title=Spatio–temporal hotspots of satellite– tracked arctic foxes reveal a large detection range in a mammalian predator|journal=Movement Ecology |date=2015 |volume=3 |issue=37 |pages=37|doi=10.1186/s40462-015-0065-2|pmid=26568827|pmc=4644628 |bibcode=2015MvEco...3...37L |doi-access=free }}</ref>
===Physiology===
[[File:Arctic fox lying in grass - DPLA -
The Arctic fox contains advantageous genes to overcome extreme cold and starvation periods. [[Transcriptome]] [[sequencing]] has identified two genes that are under [[positive selection]]: [[Glycolipid transfer protein]] domain containing 1 (GLTPD1) and [[V-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 2]] (AKT2). GLTPD1 is involved in the [[fatty acid metabolism]], while AKT2 pertains to the glucose metabolism and insulin signaling.<ref name="ReferenceF">{{cite journal|last1=Kumar|first1=V. |author2=Kutschera, V.E. |author3=Nilsson, M.A. |author4=Janke, A. |name-list-style=amp |title=Genetic signatures of adaptation revealed from transcriptome sequencing of Arctic and red foxes |journal=BMC Genomics |date=2015 |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=585 |doi=10.1186/s12864-015-1724-9 |pmid=26250829 |pmc=4528681 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
The average mass specific [[Basal metabolic rate|BMR]] and total BMR are 37% and 27% lower in the winter than the summer. The Arctic fox decreases its BMR via metabolic depression in the winter to conserve fat storage and minimize energy requirements. According to the most recent data, the lower critical temperature of the Arctic fox is at {{cvt|−7|C}} in the winter and {{cvt|5|C}} in the summer. It was commonly believed that the Arctic fox had a lower critical temperature below {{cvt|−40|C}}. However, some scientists have concluded that this statistic is not accurate since it was never tested using the proper equipment.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>
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==Size==
The average head-and-body length of the male is {{cvt|55|cm}}, with a range of {{cvt|46|to|68|cm}}, while the female averages {{cvt|52|cm}} with a range of {{cvt|41|to|55|cm}}.<ref name="smith"/><ref name="NG">{{cite web |url=http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/arctic-fox/ |title=Arctic fox: ''Alopex lagopus'' |work=National Geographic |date=10 September 2010 |access-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=
==Taxonomy==
''Vulpes lagopus'' is a 'true fox' belonging to the genus ''[[Vulpes]]'' of the fox [[tribe (biology)|tribe]] [[Vulpini]], which consists of 12 extant species.<ref name="ReferenceF"/> It is classified under the [[subfamily (biology)|subfamily]] [[Caninae]] of the canid [[family (biology)|family]] [[Canidae]]. Although it has previously been assigned to its own [[Monotypic taxon|monotypic]] [[genus]] ''Alopex'', recent [[genetics|genetic]] evidence now places it in the genus ''Vulpes'' along with the majority of other foxes.<ref name=msw3/><ref name=complete>{{cite journal|title=Building large trees by combining phylogenetic information: a complete phylogeny of the extant Carnivora (Mammalia)|journal=Biological Reviews |year=1999|first=O.R.P. |last=Bininda-Emonds |author2=Gittleman, J.L. |name-list-style=amp |author3=Purvis, A. |volume=74|issue=2|pages=143–175 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227622637 |doi=10.1017/S0006323199005307 |doi-broken-date=31 January 2024 |pmid=10396181 |citeseerx=10.1.1.328.7194 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415181742/http://www.researchgate.net/publication/227622637_Building_large_trees_by_combining_phylogenetic_information_a_complete_phylogeny_of_the_extant_Carnivora_(Mammalia)|archive-date=15 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
{{clade | style = font-size: 90%;line-height:50%
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|1={{clade
|1={{clade
|1='''Arctic fox'''<ref name="lindblad-toh2005">{{Cite journal | last1 = Lindblad-Toh | first1 = K. |last2 = Wade | first2 = C. M. | last3 = Mikkelsen | first3 = T. S. | last4 = Karlsson | first4 = E. K. | last5 = Jaffe |first5=D. B. | last6 = Kamal | first6 = M. | last7 = Clamp | first7 = M. | last8 = Chang | first8 = J. L. |last9=Kulbokas |first9 = E. J. | last10 = Zody | doi = 10.1038/nature04338 | first10 = M. C. | last11 = Mauceli | first11 = E. |last12=Xie | first12 = X. | last13 = Breen | first13 = M. | last14 = Wayne | first14 = R. K. | last15=Ostrander |first15=E. A. | last16 = Ponting | first16 = C. P. | last17 = Galibert | first17 = F. | last18 = Smith |first18 = D. R. |last19=Dejong | first19 = P. J. | last20 = Kirkness | first20 = E. | last21 = Alvarez | first21 = P. |last22 = Biagi |first22=T. | last23 = Brockman | first23 = W. | last24 = Butler | first24 = J. | last25 = Chin | first25 = C. W. |last26=Cook | first26 = A. | last27 = Cuff | first27 = J. | last28 = Daly | first28 = M. J. | last29 = Decaprio |first29=D. |last30 = Gnerre | first30 = S. | display-authors = 1 |title=Genome sequence, comparative analysis and haplotype structure of the domestic dog |journal = Nature | volume = 438 | issue = 7069 | pages = 803–819 | year = 2005 |pmid=16341006 | bibcode = 2005Natur.438..803L | doi-access = free}}</ref>{{rp|at=Fig. 10}}
|2=[[Kit fox]]
}}
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}}
It was originally described by [[Carl Linnaeus]] in the [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|10th edition of ''Systema Naturae'']] in 1758 as ''Canis lagopus''. The [[type specimen]] was recovered from [[Lapland (Sweden)|Lapland]], [[Sweden]]. The generic name ''vulpes'' is [[Latin]] for "fox".<ref name="lariviere">{{cite journal|author=Larivière, S. |year=2002|title=''Vulpes zerda''|journal=Mammalian Species |pages=1–5 |url=http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/714_Vulpes_zerda.pdf|doi=10.1644/1545-1410(2002)714<0001:VZ>2.0.CO;2|
Looking at the most recent phylogeny, the Arctic fox and the red fox (''Vulpes vulpes'') diverged approximately 3.17MYA. Additionally, the Arctic fox diverged from its sister group, the kit fox (''Vulpes macrotis''), at about 0.9MYA.<ref name="ReferenceF"/>
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===Subspecies===
[[File:Blue fox on St Paul Island by Ryan Mong USFWS.jpg|thumb|Blue phase, Pribilof Islands]]
Besides the nominate [[subspecies]], the common Arctic fox, ''V. l. lagopus'', four other subspecies of this fox have been described:
* [[Bering Sea#Islands|Bering]] Islands Arctic fox, ''V. l. beringensis''
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During the winter, 95.5% of Arctic foxes utilize commuting trips, which remain within the fox's home range. Commuting trips in Arctic foxes last less than 3 days and occur between 0–2.9 times a month. Nomadism is found in 3.4% of the foxes, and loop migrations (where the fox travels to a new range, then returns to its home range) are the least common at 1.1%. Arctic foxes in Canada that undergo nomadism and migrations voyage from the Canadian archipelago to Greenland and northwestern Canada. The duration and distance traveled between males and females is not significantly different.
Arctic foxes closer to goose colonies (located at the coasts) are less likely to migrate. Meanwhile, foxes experiencing low-density lemming populations are more likely to make sea ice trips. Residency is common in the Arctic fox population so that they can maintain their territories. Migratory foxes have a mortality rate >3 times higher than resident foxes. Nomadic behavior becomes more common as the foxes age.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal |last1=Lai|first1=S. |last2=Bety|first2=J. |last3=Berteaux|first3=D. |title=Movement tactics of a mobile predator in a meta-ecosystem with fluctuating resources: the arctic fox in the High Arctic |journal=Oikos |date=2017|volume=126|issue=7|pages=937–947|doi=10.1111/oik.03948|bibcode=2017Oikos.126..937L }}</ref>
In July 2019, the [[Norwegian Polar Institute]] reported the story of a yearling female which was fitted with a [[GPS]] tracking device and then released by their researchers on the east coast of [[Spitsbergen]] in the [[Svalbard]] group of islands.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/world/europe/arctic-fox-norway-canada.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/world/europe/arctic-fox-norway-canada.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited|title=An Arctic Fox's Epic Journey: Norway to Canada in 76 Days |last=Specia|first=M. |date=2019 |work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-07-02|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The young fox crossed the polar ice from the islands to [[Greenland]] in 21 days, a distance of {{cvt|1,512|km}}. She then moved on to [[Ellesmere Island]] in northern [[Canada]], covering a total recorded distance of {{cvt|3,506|km}} in 76 days, before her [[GPS tracker]] stopped working. She averaged just over {{cvt|46|km}} a day, and managed as much as {{cvt|155|km}} in a single day.<ref name="bbcepic">{{cite
==Conservation status==
[[File:Lagopusskull.jpg|thumb|left|Drawing of skull by [[St. George Mivart]], 1890]]
The Arctic fox has been assessed as [[least concern]] on the [[IUCN Red List]] since 2004.<ref name=iucn /> However, the Scandinavian mainland population is acutely endangered, despite being legally protected from hunting and persecution for several decades. The estimate of the adult population in all of Norway, Sweden, and Finland is fewer than 200 individuals.<ref name=NOAA/> Of these, especially in Finland, the Arctic fox is even classified as [[Critically Endangered|critically endangered]],<ref>{{cite web| title= Naali ''Alopex lagopus''. | date= 2011-08-01 | publisher= Metsähallitus |url=http://www.metsa.fi/sivustot/metsa/fi/Luonnonsuojelu/Lajitjaluontotyypit/Uhanalaisetelaimet/Naali/Sivut/Naali.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214233500/http://www.metsa.fi/sivustot/metsa/fi/Luonnonsuojelu/Lajitjaluontotyypit/Uhanalaisetelaimet/Naali/Sivut/Naali.aspx |archive-date=2011-12-14 | access-date = 2022-08-11 | language = fi}}</ref> because even though the animal was
The abundance of the Arctic fox tends to fluctuate in a cycle along with the population of lemmings and [[vole]]s (a 3- to 4-year cycle).<ref name=truett/> The populations are especially vulnerable during the years when the prey population crashes, and uncontrolled [[Animal trapping|trapping]] has almost eradicated two subpopulations.<ref name=NOAA>{{cite web |url=http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/report12/arctic_fox.html |title=Arctic fox (''Vulpes lagopus'') |author1=Angerbjörn, A. |author2=Berteaux, D. |author3=I.R. |date=2012 |work=Arctic report card: Update for 2012 |publisher=NOAA Arctic Research Program |access-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011195501/http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/report12/arctic_fox.html |archive-date=11 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
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The pelts of Arctic foxes with a slate-blue coloration were especially valuable. They were transported to various previously fox-free [[Aleutian Island]]s during the 1920s. The program was successful in terms of increasing the population of blue foxes, but their predation of [[Aleutian cackling goose|Aleutian Canada geese]] conflicted with the goal of preserving that species.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sbYL7JNnMNIC&pg=PA42|page=42|title=Ecology of North America|author=Bolen, Eric G. |publisher=[[John Wiley and Sons]]|year=1998|isbn=978-0-471-13156-4}}</ref>
The Arctic fox is losing ground to the larger [[red fox]]. This has been attributed to [[climate change]]—the camouflage value of its lighter coat decreases with less snow cover.<ref name="Hannah2010">{{cite book|author=Hannah, Lee|title=Climate Change Biology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Vvqw2gdk9QC&pg=PA63|year=2010|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-12-374182-0|page=63}}</ref> Red foxes dominate where their ranges begin to overlap by killing Arctic foxes and their kits.<ref name="MacdonaldSillero-Zubiri2004">{{cite book|author1=Macdonald, David Whyte|author2=Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio|title=The biology and conservation of wild canids|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vrgow9ERQeIC&pg=PA10|year=2004|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-851556-2|page=10}}</ref> An alternative explanation of the red fox's gains involves the [[gray wolf]]. Historically, it has kept red fox numbers down, but as the wolf has been hunted to near [[extinction]] in much of its former range, the red fox population has grown larger, and it has taken over the niche of [[Apex predator|top predator]].<ref>{{
As with many other game species, the best sources of historical and large-scale population data are hunting bag records and questionnaires. Several potential sources of error occur in such data collections.<ref name=G_and_E>{{cite book |author1=Garrott, R. A. |author2=Eberhardt, L. E. | year = 1987 | chapter = Arctic fox | editor = Novak, M. | title = Wild furbearer management and conservation in North America | pages = 395–406|publisher=Ontario Trappers Association |isbn=978-0774393652|display-editors=etal}}</ref> In addition, numbers vary widely between years due to the large population fluctuations. However, the total population of the Arctic fox must be in the order of several hundred thousand animals.<ref name=Tannerfeldt>{{cite book | author = Tannerfeldt, M. | year = 1997 | title = Population fluctuations and life history consequences in the Arctic fox. | publisher = Dissertation, Stockholm University | location = Stockholm, Sweden}}</ref>
The world population of Arctic foxes is thus not endangered, but two Arctic fox subpopulations are. One is on [[Medny Island]] ([[Commander Islands]], Russia), which was reduced by some 85–90%, to around 90 animals, as a result of [[mange]] caused by an ear tick introduced by dogs in the 1970s.<ref name=Goltsman>{{cite journal | author = Goltsman, M.| year = 1996 | last2 = Kruchenkova | first2 = E. P. | last3 = MacDonald | first3 = D. W. | title = The Mednyi Arctic foxes: treating a population imperilled by disease | journal = Oryx | volume = 30 | pages = 251–258 | doi = 10.1017/S0030605300021748 | issue = 4| doi-access = free }}</ref> The population is currently under treatment with antiparasitic drugs, but the result is still uncertain.
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The Arctic fox is classed as a "prohibited new organism" under New Zealand's [[Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996]], preventing it from being imported into the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0030/latest/DLM386556.html#DLM386556|title=Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 2003 – Schedule 2 Prohibited new organisms|publisher=New Zealand Government|access-date=26 January 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616104517/http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0030/latest/DLM386556.html#DLM386556|archive-date=16 June 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
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* [[Arctic rabies virus]]
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* [http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=2 Smithsonian Institution – North American Mammals: Vulpes lagopus]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140225045357/http://www.islandsmyndir.is/html_skjol/annad/Dyr/Arctic_Fox_cub/index.html Photo Gallery by islandsmyndir.is]
* {{
* https://www.britannica.com/animal/Arctic-fox
{{Carnivora|Ca.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q82738}}
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[[Category:Arctic land animals|Fox, arctic]]
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[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Vulpes]]
[[Category:Habitats Directive species]]
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