Arctic Foxes Constant Gardeners Of The Arctic - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic Foxes: Constant Gardeners of the Arctic

Arctic Foxes: Constant Gardeners of the Arctic

Given how widespread their habitat is, it is little wonder that Arctic foxes are one of the animals we most often see during our Greenland and Svalbard expeditions. The Arctic fox is a circumpolar species whose feeding grounds include North America, Eurasia, even Iceland, ranging from nearly the North Pole all the way down to the sub-Arctic islands.

Whether you find yourself in the Bering Strait, the Gulf of Alaska, or the southern reaches of Hudson Bay, you stand a fair chance of spotting these well-insulated vulpines. Here we’ll cover some of their most distinguishing traits - followed by a fact-filled fox video below!

blog-image

Arctic foxes are small but insulated

Arctic foxes usually grow to be 46 – 68 cm (1.5 – 2.23 feet) long, around 28 cm (11 inches) high at the shoulder, and weigh between 1.4 – 9 kg (3 – 19 pounds). These modest dimensions come in handy in the Arctic, however, reducing the amount of body surface area exposed to the cold.

The dense fur of the Arctic fox is also one of the most insulating coats of any mammal, helping the species survive at temperatures up to -80°C (-112°F). In addition, Arctic foxes have a specially adapted circulation system in their foot pads.

blog-image

Their fur adapts to their surroundings

The Arctic fox is not always white. During the summer months, it comes in a variety of colors, from dark gray to brown to bluish brown. During the winter, most Arctic foxes turn white to adapt to the snowy surroundings. Between 1 - 3% are so-called “blue foxes” that have a smoky blue color and remain darker in winter.

Arctic foxes live in tundra regions on the edge of forests in summer, and their fur provides good camouflage. In the winter, Arctic foxes are commonly found on ice floes, where their white fur helps them hide even in plain sight. Svalbard has a higher population of blue foxes than other Arctic areas.

blog-image

Arctic foxes have a nomadic lifestyle

The Arctic fox is a nomadic species, moving from one place to another to look for food. As it is also able to swim, the Arctic fox is known for its far-ranging distances, which exceed any other mammal except humans.

During the seasonal movements over the autumn and winter period, there have been instances of Arctic foxes traveling over 800 km (500 miles) from the shoreline and totaling 4,500 km (2,800 miles) over a single winter.

blog-image

Surviving the winter is an Arctic fox talent

To survive through the winter with minimal supplies of food, Arctic foxes store body fat. During the summer and autumn, they eat as much as they can, building up a layer of fat that acts as an insulator and food reserve during the cold, lean winter months.

Additionally, Arctic foxes store food by burying it for later use. Sometimes these hidden supplies cannot be relied on, however, as winter storms may cover them up. When storms are at their worst, Arctic foxes hide in their sheltered dens and might go without food for several weeks.

blog-image

Arctic fox dens are as safe as houses

The Arctic fox breeds between February and April, with births taking place between April and July following a gestation period of 52 – 54 days. How many cubs are born is dependent on food availability, though 5 – 10 cubs are produced on average. When food is abundant, as many as 19 cubs may be born.

Young Arctic foxes are brought up inside complex dens that provide shelter and protection from predators. Some dens are centuries old, used by generation after generation of Arctic foxes. Over time, these dens become larger, and some have been found with over 150 entrances.

blog-image

Shared parenting is popular among Arctic foxes

Both Arctic fox parents contribute to the raising of the young. The female provides milk for the first three weeks and very seldom leaves the den. During this time, the male brings back food. Once the cubs start eating, the female also goes out hunting. When both parents head out, there is often a female babysitter that looks after the cubs.

The second female never breeds with the male but is only there to help care for the young. Usually the babysitter comes from the offspring from the previous year. After 8 – 10 weeks, the cubs become independent, reaching full maturity at 10 months.

blog-image

They establish territories with their mates

Arctic foxes are monogamous, with each pair establishing a territory that they use for several years. In Svalbard, the size of Arctic fox territory can vary widely between 3 - 60 square km (1 - 23 square miles). The territory size is dependent on the location of Arctic fox dens, as foxes that den on the coast have a smaller territory than those found inland.

blog-image

Arctic foxes have an open appetite

The Arctic fox eats what it can find, including lemmings, ground squirrels, insects, seabirds, eggs, fish, and berries. It even hunts live ringed seal pups in their chambers below the snow. Over the winter when food is scarce, Arctic foxes often follow polar bears and wolves, waiting to snack on their leftovers.

When times are really tough, they may even resort to eating the feces of other animals. Arctic foxes can also reduce their metabolic rate by half while still remaining active, conserving energy while they search for food.

blog-image

Differing DNA signatures indicate mass migrations

Scientists have analyzed DNA samples from the ancient remains of Icelandic Arctic foxes dating from the 9th to the 12th century and compared them to DNA from modern Arctic foxes. They found that the ancient Arctic foxes shared a single genetic signature, while the modern population possesses five unique signatures.

The scientists reasoned that this explosion in genetic diversity is due to Arctic foxes migrating across the sea ice during the Little Ice Age. Even today, Arctic foxes routinely travel far distances across sea ice.

blog-image

Arctic foxes are habitual gardeners

On top of being naturally photogenic, Arctic foxes are great for local vegetation. By depositing nutrients in and around their dens through urination, defecation, and leftovers from previous kills, they have been known to grant these areas 70% more inorganic nitrogen and nearly 2000% more extractable phosphorous than surrounding sites.

In August, Arctic fox dens can support nearly three times as much vegetation biomass as normal. The result is rich tundra around their dens, providing extra plant diversity for other herbivores who are attracted to lush vegetation.

blog-image

Four follow-up facts about the Arctic fox

1. Researchers do not know how long Arctic foxes have lived in Svalbard, but they probably arrived over the last 10,000 years, after the last ice age.

2. Though the Arctic fox usually hunts alone, it is a social animal - unlike other species of fox that are always alone unless with a mate or offspring.

3. Arctic foxes can recognise each other from their scent, and female offspring often come back to visit their mothers later in life.

4. The territories Arctic fox mates establish often overlap with those of other fox couples.

blog-image

Still eager for more fox fun? Don't miss our Arctic fox facts video

You've made it to the end of the article. You deserve some leisure time. Put your feet up and enjoy our video, where we'll show you Arctic fox sightings we've had on our voyages. Consider it preparation for when you're seeing them with us!

Best Deals

Related Trips

East and South Greenland Explorer, Incl. flight from Narsarsuaq to Copenhagen - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

East and South Greenland Explorer, Incl. flight from Narsarsuaq to Copenhagen

calendar13 Aug 2025 - 02 Sep 2025
clock21 Days / 20 Nights
From $ 11.000 per person
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

calendar23 Aug 2025 - 05 Sep 2025
clock14 Days / 13 Nights
From $ 7.450 per person
East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Akureyri

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

calendar30 Aug 2025 - 08 Sep 2025
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.650 per person
South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis, Incl. flight from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Narsarsuaq

South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis, Incl. flight from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq

calendar02 Sep 2025 - 11 Sep 2025
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.150 per person
East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Akureyri

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

calendar05 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.650 per person
East Greenland - Scoresby Sund - Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Constable Pynt

East Greenland - Scoresby Sund - Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail

calendar01 Oct 2025 - 12 Oct 2025
clock12 Days / 11 Nights
From $ 5.900 per person
Northeast Greenland Solar Eclipse Explorer Voyage - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Northeast Greenland Solar Eclipse Explorer Voyage

calendar02 Aug 2026 - 15 Aug 2026
clock14 Days / 13 Nights
From $ 8.550 per person
Northeast Greenland Solar Eclipse Explorer Voyage - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Northeast Greenland Solar Eclipse Explorer Voyage

calendar03 Aug 2026 - 16 Aug 2026
clock14 Days / 13 Nights
From $ 8.550 per person
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Fly & Sail - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Fly & Sail

calendar12 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2026
clock20 Days / 19 Nights
From $ 9.350 per person
Northeast Greenland Extreme - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Akureyri

Northeast Greenland Extreme

calendar15 Aug 2026 - 28 Aug 2026
clock14 Days / 13 Nights
From $ 8.550 per person
East Greenland, Scoresby Sund, Including Long Hikes - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Akureyri

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund, Including Long Hikes

calendar16 Aug 2026 - 25 Aug 2026
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.900 per person
East & South Greenland Explorer – Aurora Borealis - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Akureyri

East & South Greenland Explorer – Aurora Borealis

calendar25 Aug 2026 - 08 Sep 2026
clock15 Days / 14 Nights
From $ 8.350 per person

Blog
go-leftgo-right

Top 10 Antarctic Attractions - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Top 10 Antarctic Attractions

There’s a reason people go to such lengths to visit Antarctica, and its abundance of whales, seals, penguins, and seabirds are only part of the polar story.
Exploration of the Polar Regions - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Exploration of the Polar Regions

From the Vikings via the first whale and seal hunters to Scott and Amundsen, from the maritime explorers Franklin and Nordenskiöld to present-day polar tourism, a quick tour through history reveals some of the aspects which motivated people to extend their horizons. Existential need, sheer curiosity, imperial greed, polar science, and a taste for adventure all converged in regions which pardon no mistakes.
Birds of the North: 29 Arctic Birds and Seabirds - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Birds of the North: 29 Arctic Birds and Seabirds

The Arctic is home to some of the world’s most majestic mammals, both on land and sea. However, the bird life in this region is equally remarkable, showcasing numerous exotic species that are highly prized by bird enthusiasts worldwide.
10 Bountiful Blue Whale Facts - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

10 Bountiful Blue Whale Facts

The umbrella term “whale” refers to a wide variety of large marine mammals. To zero in on blue whales, however, we’ll need to unpack this term a bit. The Latin word for whale, cetus, is the root of the whale infraorder, Cetacea, the largest parvorder of which is Mysticeti.
12 Things to Do in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

12 Things to Do in Antarctica

Traveling to Antarctica is unlike traveling to any other place on Earth.
All things ice in the Antarctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

All things ice in the Antarctic

The first documented sighting of an iceberg in Antarctica occurred on February 1, 1700, when Edmond Halley was on an expedition to measure the Earth's magnetic field. He noted in his diary that he encountered "great Islands of Ice, of Soe Incredible a hight and Magnitude that I scare dare to write my thoughts on it."
Humpback Whales: the Stars of the Western Antarctic Peninsula - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Humpback Whales: the Stars of the Western Antarctic Peninsula

The marine ecosystem of the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) stretches from the Bellingshausen Sea to the northern tip of the peninsula. This region includes the Antarctic Sea Ice Zone, a highly productive area that supports large populations of marine mammals, birds, and Antarctic krill. One of the highlights of this region, which you can observe on a whale-spotting Antarctica cruise, is the humpback whale.
All About Ice: Glaciers and Icebergs of the Arctic and Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

All About Ice: Glaciers and Icebergs of the Arctic and Antarctica

The marine ecosystem of the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) stretches from the Bellingshausen Sea to the northern tip of the peninsula. This region includes the Antarctic Sea Ice Zone, a highly productive area that supports large populations of marine mammals, birds, and Antarctic krill. One of the highlights of this region, which you can observe on a whale-spotting Antarctica cruise, is the humpback whale.
Polar Cruises: The Ultimate Icebreaker - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Polar Cruises: The Ultimate Icebreaker

Travel is one of life’s great eye openers. It brings you into contact with new people and perspectives, challenges old assumptions you haven’t held to the light in years, and invites you to make unexpected discoveries about the world around you – and most of all, yourself. Added to which, you get to visit places you never knew you loved until you saw them.
The Secret Life of Glaciers: How They Form, Move, and Melt - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Secret Life of Glaciers: How They Form, Move, and Melt

One of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders you can witness on an Arctic or Antarctic expedition is glaciers. These immense ice formations have been gradually moving from the mountains to the oceans for countless years, acting as both time capsules and indicators of our rapidly changing environment.
Explore Antarctica Without Leaving Your Couch - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Explore Antarctica Without Leaving Your Couch

There are numerous ways to embark on an Antarctica expedition from the comfort of your home. Explore these fantastic resources to experience the White Continent without leaving your couch.
Book Recommendations for Your Polar Cruise - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Book Recommendations for Your Polar Cruise

Though books can't replace the experience of visiting the polar regions, they make excellent companions for your journey. We reached out to our social media followers, many of whom are past or future travelers, to gather their recommendations for polar-related books. The results were impressive, and we've compiled them below in no particular order.
The Impact of Small vs. Large Cruise Ships - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Impact of Small vs. Large Cruise Ships

The generalization that larger ships impact the environment more than smaller ships seems like such a no-brainer that if someone said it to you, you’d be easily forgiven for thinking you were being tricked.
Get to Know Your Ice - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Get to Know Your Ice

Ice plays a crucial role in everything from cooling your drink to regulating the planet's temperature. Let's explore the various forms of ice you might encounter during an Arctic or Antarctic adventure.
Why a Polar Diving Cruise Should be Your Next Great Decision - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Why a Polar Diving Cruise Should be Your Next Great Decision

Not so very long ago, all you had to do to qualify as a thrill-seeker was hop a ship to the polar regions and make it back with all your fingers – or your life, if you weren’t picky.
10 Traits of Post-Ice-Age Greenland - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

10 Traits of Post-Ice-Age Greenland

Grasses, sedges, and other species of heath were the first arrivals, and are still commonly found in Greenland. Scientists have been able to work out how plants colonised Greenland by examining ancient pollen samples found in deposits at the bottom of lakes: Dwarf birch came to western Greenland around 9,000 years ago, and around 4,500 years ago – roughly the same time humans were first boating onto Greenland shores – green alders were taking up residence there.
What to Expect When Crossing the Drake Passage - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

What to Expect When Crossing the Drake Passage

Positioned between the southern tail of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula's north-sweeping arm is a lively little waterway known as the Drake Passage.
A Diving Dream Fulfilled - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

A Diving Dream Fulfilled

Last January, Mark Hatter achieved a dream he’d been training for over two years. Booking his berth aboard the m/v Ortelius and making the long flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, he and two of his friends sailed down the famous Drake Passage, bound for Earth’s southernmost continent. But their Antarctica trip was not just about shoreline walks and photographing penguins.
17 Reasons to Cruise the Falklands - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

17 Reasons to Cruise the Falklands

Maybe you’ve already marveled at the colossal penguin colonies of South Georgia, sailed among the plunging seals of the Antarctic Peninsula, and watched whales in the Weddell Sea lunge among titanic tabular icebergs.
Deep Sea Dwellers: 10 Facts about The Antarctic Giant Isopod - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Deep Sea Dwellers: 10 Facts about The Antarctic Giant Isopod

On average, the Giant Antarctic Isopod grows to 9cm (3.5in.) in length. This may not seem very large, but factors including low light levels, freezing cold water, and a lack of oxygen prevent these isopods from growing very large. Other species of isopods, including the Giant Isopod, have been known to grow up to 40 cm (16 inches) in length!