The Arctic fox, a resilient inhabitant of the Arctic, navigates an environment where food availability fluctuates dramatically. These animals are well-suited to their cold habitat, possessing adaptations that allow them to survive extreme temperatures. Their diet is highly versatile, reflecting their ability to find sustenance in challenging conditions. This adaptability is key to their survival in a landscape characterized by seasonal changes and varying prey populations.
Main Prey: Small Rodents and Birds
Small rodents, particularly lemmings and tundra voles, form a significant part of the Arctic fox’s diet. Lemmings can be the most common prey, with a family of foxes consuming dozens daily. These efficient hunters detect rodents beneath the snow using their acute hearing. Once prey is located, the fox leaps into the air and plunges headfirst into the snow to capture its meal, a behavior called “mousing.”
Birds, their eggs, and chicks are an important food source for Arctic foxes, especially during breeding seasons. Ground-nesting birds, such as auklets, puffins, and murres, are commonly preyed upon by foxes near coastal cliffs. Foxes consume the eggs of various bird species, excluding only the largest tundra birds.
Seasonal Shifts in Diet
The Arctic fox’s diet undergoes significant changes throughout the year, adapting to the availability of different food sources. During the brief Arctic summer, when small mammals and birds are abundant, foxes primarily hunt lemmings, voles, and the eggs and young of migratory birds. This period allows them to build fat reserves and provision their young.
As winter approaches and prey becomes scarce, the fox’s diet shifts to opportunistic feeding strategies. They rely on cached food and scavenge carrion. Some foxes follow larger predators, such such as polar bears, onto the sea ice to feed on the remains of their kills. This ability to adjust their foraging behavior is important for their survival in an environment with fluctuating resources.
Beyond Live Prey: Scavenging and Plant Matter
Scavenging forms a crucial survival strategy for Arctic foxes, particularly during lean periods. They frequently follow polar bears to scavenge seal carcasses and other marine life. Arctic foxes also consume carrion from other animals, including reindeer. This opportunistic behavior allows them to utilize any available food source in their harsh environment.
Plant matter, while not a primary food source, is consumed by Arctic foxes. Berries and seaweed can be part of their diet, especially in late summer and fall. Food caching is an important survival behavior, where foxes store surplus food, such as lemmings or bird eggs, for later consumption. Burying food in dens or under rocks helps them endure periods of scarcity.