"Within the European Union, six species have been classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The most threatened category includes the Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and the European mink, which both have very small and declining populations. Only 150 Iberian Lynx survive today and the Mediterranean monk seal population has decreased to between 350-450 individuals."
Photograph of an Arctic Fox courtesy of Denis-Carl Robidaux via Ann Novek
"The Arctic fox has evolved to live in the most frigid extremes on the planet. Among its adaptations for cold survival are its deep, thick fur, a system of countercurrent heat exchange in the circulation of paws to retain core temperature, and a good supply of body fat. The fox has a low surface-area-to-volume ratio as evidenced by its generally rounded body shape, short muzzle and legs, and short, thick ears. Since less of its surface area is exposed to the cold, less heat escapes the body. Its furry paws allow it to walk on ice floors in search of food. It is also able to walk on top of snow and listen for the movements of prey underneath. Their thick fur is the warmest of any mammal."
In Scandinavia there are only about 120 arctic foxes left. There is a project in Sweden, to help save the foxes, including additional feeding and hunting red foxes that are a threat to Arctic foxes (the red foxes are out competing the arctic foxes). The Arctic fox eat lemmings, Arctic hares and in some areas left-overs from polar bears.
Cheers,
Ann Novek
Sweden
it ugly
Hi, i recon the arctic fox is soooooooo adorable. i just can't believe that some people actually hunt these cuties for their fur. im totally disgusted. i would never do such a thing to such an adorable creature. i wish i could have one.
Hi Jennifer, I was interested in using the wonderfull artic fox picture in my music venture.
Can you put me in touch with the photographer to ask her permission. Thanks Bob
HEY there The Artic fox is so cuite i love it and i so what to hug it but i dont think so if i hug it i think i be ded be for i hug that cuite thing awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
form melissa harrigan
Scabies, or sarcoptic mange, is the same skin disease that Australian foxes get. It is quite common to see dogs in country areas with sarcoptic mange contracted from foxes. In fact the African Wild dogs at Monarto Zoo caught it from an unfortunate fox that strayed into their enclosure.