The Arctic fox ( Vulpes lagopus) thrives in one of Earth’s most challenging environments. Found throughout the Arctic tundra biome, this small fox has developed a varied diet, essential for its survival. Its ability to find and consume diverse food sources allows it to endure the long, harsh winters and capitalize on the brief, productive summers.
Primary Food Sources
The diet of the Arctic fox primarily consists of small mammals, especially lemmings and voles. These rodents are a staple, and Arctic fox populations often fluctuate with lemming abundance. A family of Arctic foxes can consume dozens of lemmings daily when plentiful. Beyond rodents, the foxes also prey on other small animals like Arctic hares and fish.
During nesting seasons, ground-nesting birds, such as geese, ducks, and seabirds like auklets and puffins, become a significant food source. Arctic foxes actively hunt these birds, along with their eggs and chicks. In coastal areas, their diet often includes a higher proportion of birds and marine life.
Adapting to Seasonal Changes
The Arctic fox’s diet shifts throughout the year, reflecting food availability. During summer, when small mammals and birds are abundant, foxes primarily hunt live prey. As winter approaches and prey becomes scarce, their diet transitions to rely heavily on scavenging. This includes seeking out carrion, particularly the remains of seals and other marine mammals left by larger predators like polar bears and wolves.
Arctic foxes follow polar bears across the sea ice, scavenging on their kills. Their opportunistic nature also leads them to consume berries, seaweed, insects, and other small invertebrates when available. Some coastal populations incorporate marine invertebrates into their diet. This flexibility in food choices sustains them through periods of scarcity.
Strategies for Finding Food
Arctic foxes employ several strategies to secure food. They possess a keen sense of hearing, allowing them to locate prey, such as lemmings, moving beneath the snow. Once prey is detected, the fox uses a characteristic pouncing technique, leaping high and diving headfirst into the snow to capture it.
They are also highly nomadic, traveling long distances across their range, including over sea ice, in search of food. This extensive travel helps them find new hunting grounds or scavenging opportunities. Arctic foxes commonly cache excess food during times of abundance for leaner periods. This involves burying food items like eggs or small prey under stones or in dens to be consumed later, providing a reserve for survival.