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Arctic Fox
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Aurora
The arctic marble fox is an amazing animal who is very interestingly adapted to their environment. These two were donated to CLAWS, Inc. by a person who bought the parents from a fur farmer with the agreement that he would not breed foxes for fur anymore. This is a brother and sister pair (spayed and neutered of course as well as micro chipped), Aurora and Borealis, who have very unique, but almost identical patterning on their fur.
These two will never go out for programs, they just are too nervous and too "foxy"
Aurora and Borealis do not have the typical "wild" arctic fox look for a couple of reasons. One is that fur ranchers breed to change the colors and size of the animals in order to create more saleable pelts. The other is that most pictures you see of wild arctics are of them in their natural habitat, which is incredibly cold. This gives them a very thick, luxurious coat, which makes their face and ears look shorter. Aurora and Borealis live in North Carolina where temperatures don't get very cold. So they never get in a truly winter coat.
Wild arctic fox has a gray or blue coat in the summer, which changes to a very thick, white coat in the winter, enabling them to survive the arctic temperatures and acting as camouflage to protect them from polar bears. Arctic fox follow the polar bears in the hopes that they can eat their leftovers. All foxes are very sly and these are no different! They have to be so they don't fall prey to other predators.
Having lived with a fox for a few years now, we can tell you that their reputation for being cunning and sly is a highly deserved one. They are sneaky beyond words!
In many cultures the fox symbolizes cunning, provider, intelligence, feminine magic, diplomacy and wildness.
In The Wild
Classification: |
Alopex (Alopex Lagopus) |
Native Region: |
Alaska, Northwest Territories of Canada as well as the arctic regions of Europe, Asia, Iceland and Greenland |
Diet: |
Omnivores, they are opportunistic feeders, eating anything from berries to carion |
Behavior: |
Nocturnal and Nomadic, they are constantly on the move looking for food |
Social Structure: |
Arctic foxes typically live in groups of three, one male and two females as well as this year's kits. The second female is typically a left over kit from the year before and does not breed. |
Interesting Facts: |
Arctic foxes have several interesting adaptations for their native climate, including densely furred foot pads to protect them from the cold and give them traction on the ice. |
If you see one: |
Foxes, by nature are shy and timid animals. They do not approach humans under normal circumstances and will not attack unless they feel backed into a corner or their life or that of their kits is in imminent danger. Seeing a fox in the wild is rare, as they prefer not to allow themselves to be seen by humans. If you do see one, please stay away from them. While they are not large or vicious, they are a rabies vector species with very sharp teeth. You do not want them to feel they have no choice but to defend themselves. |