Polar fox

The Arctic fox is an animal that looks like a fox. In winter, it wears a fluffy and warm coat that makes it very large. In summer, his coat is shorter and he looks slimmer. It is very fast and agile, and often lives in the forest or fields.

What the Arctic fox looks like

The Arctic fox has a long, soft body, short legs and a long tail. Its fur can range in colour from light brown to grey. Its ears are small and its eyes are bright and curious.

What the Arctic fox eats

The Arctic fox is a true predator! It hunts small animals such as insects, worms, small birds and also eats fish and what the surf brings to the shore. The Arctic foxes even follow big polar bears and eat the meat left behind. In summer, they store food for the winter by hiding it in the ground or between rocks. Arctic foxes also have a layer of fat under their fur that helps them keep warm in winter.

Where the Arctic fox lives

The Arctic fox likes the tundra, a place where there are few trees but lots of hills and open spaces. The Arctic fox prefers places with grass or bushes where it can hide from enemies. It digs burrows where it makes its home. These can be complex underground houses with many entrances and exits.

How Arctic foxes live

Arctic foxes usually live with a family: mum, dad, their babies and sometimes older brothers or sisters. Sometimes several families may live side by side and form small "villages" or colonies. They like to move around and look for new food, but when it's time to have babies, they return to their old homes.

Arctic fox characteristics

The Arctic foxes are very active, especially at night. They love to play and jump around. But when cold weather comes, the Arctic fox may retreat to its burrow and sleep for a long, long time to conserve energy.

So if you're walking through a forest or field and see something flickering quickly, it's probably a little fox on a walk!