how-arctic-foxes-keep-warm

The arctic fox, commonly referred to as the white fox or the snow fox, is found in the treeless areas of coastal Alaska. More specifically, the arctic fox resides from Point Barrow, Alaska in the north, to the Aleutian Islands in the south, and east near Canada’s border as noted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The arctic fox is a stunning creature. Its snow white coat, which can also be bluish gray, is one of its many amazing features. The arctic fox is relatively small in size, and weighs anywhere from 6 to 10 lbs. And with a body length just surpassing 3 feet, the arctic fox, with its short legs and ears, appears to be compact much like the red fox, a well-known relative.

Perhaps the most remarkable attribute of the arctic fox is its ability to remain warm in its freezing environment. The arctic fox has adapted in a number of ways to make survival possible. The most obvious may be the thick fur coat that covers the fox’s body. The arctic fox also has fur covering the pads of its feet. In addition, a thick layer of body fat aides in keeping the arctic fox warm. As previously noted, the arctic fox is fairly small and compact in size. Thus, there is a smaller surface area being exposed to the frigid air.