Arctic fox: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	white fox • Vulpes lagopus • Alopex lagopus • polar fox

Photos and Videos

An Arctic fox in the process of shedding its white winter coat for a darker summer coat, standing on grass with rocks in the background.

An arctic fox with thick white fur stands on snowy ground, with snow-covered rocks in the background.

An arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) with thick white fur stands on snowy ground, looking toward the camera.

Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)

How Arctic foxes survive in Russia's tundra

Summer survival challenges in the Russian Arctic

Summer in the Siberian Arctic: A tale of survival

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

fox red fox gray fox fennec bat-eared fox crab-eating fox

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Animals, mammals.

Ultimate Animals Quiz

Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is seen in Switzerland on December 2024

Animal Factoids

Lion (panthera leo)

Deadliest Animals Quiz

Young chimpanzee dressed in a shirt and sweater vest, scratching his head thinking. (primates)

Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz