Wildlife Gallery

Living on the edge

The arctic fox lives in one of the most extreme enviroments on the planet. Among its adaptations for cold survival are a deep, thick fur a system with a countercurrent heat exchange circulation system to retain temperature within the paws. A high proportion of body fat along with a low surface area, with shorter muzzle legs, and ears that are thicker than their european counterparts. Since less of its surface area is exposed to the arctic cold, less heat escapes the body. Its furry paws allow it to walk on the ice. The arctic fox has such keen hearing that it can precisely locate prey under the snow. When prey is located, it leaps and punches through the snow to catch its victim. Its fur changes colour with the seasons: in the winter it is white to blend in with snow, while in the summer months it changes to brown.