What Do Arctic Foxes Eat?

Surviving in the Arctic is no small feat, with four months of perpetual darkness and summers that remain bitterly cold.

Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus, or Alopex lagopus) are masterfully equipped for this extreme habitat, thriving across the circumpolar regions, including the northern fringes of North America, Europe, and Asia.

Their compact, robust build is ideal for enduring the relentless cold. Standing about 1 foot tall and measuring 2 to 3 feet in length, Arctic foxes are more stocky than other fox species, with short limbs and muzzles that minimize heat loss. Their thick, bushy tails provide both insulation and balance, while their pristine white winter fur offers near-perfect camouflage against the snow, shielding them from predators such as wolves and polar bears.

Arctic foxes are versatile omnivores, consuming whatever their tundra environment offers. During summer, the habitat teems with food sources: small mammals like voles, birds, amphibians, berries, insects, bird eggs, and even the droppings of other animals. Coastal-dwelling foxes may also feast on fish, seal pups, and seabirds.

In the harsh winter months, when food becomes scarce, these clever foxes trail polar bears onto ice floes to scavenge leftovers from their hunts. Arctic foxes are known to journey up to 2500 miles in search of more abundant food sources when local supplies run out.

Lunching on Lemmings

Lemmings, a genus of small rodents found across the Arctic, are a staple in the Arctic fox's diet. The survival of Arctic foxes is so closely tied to lemming populations that fox numbers rise and fall in sync with lemming abundance. These rotund rodents stay warm and active during winter by burrowing under the snow, hidden from most predators.

However, they are not entirely undetectable, especially to the sharp senses of the Arctic fox.

Arctic foxes possess extraordinary hearing. When they sense movement under the snow, they patiently listen, tilting their heads to pinpoint the faint squeaks and rustles of lemmings. Once they locate their prey, they spring into action, leaping high into the air and plunging headfirst into the snow, often emerging with a lemming as if plucking a snack from a toaster oven.

The Arctic Fox Life Cycle

As the Arctic summer briefly thaws the snow and ice, the fox's white winter coat appears to vanish. They shed their thick fur, transitioning to a shorter bluish-gray or brown coat that helps them blend seamlessly into the rocky tundra landscape.

During the warmer months when food is plentiful, Arctic foxes stockpile extra provisions in their dens for the harsh winter ahead. These dens, often extensive and multi-chambered, are dug six to 12 feet below the surface. In times of scarcity, foxes can reduce their metabolic rate and retreat into their dens for a brief hibernation. Some dens have been in use for centuries, passed down through multiple generations.

The cycle of life for Arctic foxes begins with playful courtship behaviors like chasing and mock fighting [PDF]. Mating typically occurs in spring, with kits or pups born after a gestation period of six to eight weeks. Born with gray or brown fur regardless of the season, the young are cared for by both parents.

Arctic foxes are monogamous, often forming lifelong bonds with their mates—adding to their endearing nature. Unless, of course, you’re a lemming, in which case their charm might be less appealing.