Blue Fox
Vulpes lagopus
The Arctic fox, also known as the white fox, polar fox, or snow fox, is a small species of fox native to the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and common throughout the Arctic tundra. It is well adapted to living in cold environments, and is known for its thick, warm fur that can be used as camouflage against snow in the winter.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_fox
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Vulpes
Blue Fox belongs to the family Canidae, order Carnivora, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
The Arctic fox, also known as the white fox, polar fox, or snow fox, is a small species of fox native to the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and common throughout the Arctic tundra. It is well adapted to living in cold environments, and is known for its thick, warm fur that can be used as camouflage against snow in the winter. It has a large and fluffy tail. In the wild, most individuals do not live past their first year but some exceptional ones survive up to 11 years. Its body length ranges from 46 to 68 cm, with a generally rounded body shape to minimize the escape of body heat.
The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) faces severe population declines primarily due to climate change reducing Arctic habitat and prey availability. Competition from the larger red fox, which is expanding northward as temperatures warm, poses an additional major threat through direct competition and hybridization.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
A sleeping Arctic fox with its tail wrapped around itself and over its face Arctic foxes must endure a temperature difference of up to between the external environment and their internal core temperature. To prevent heat loss, the Arctic fox curls up tightly tucking its legs and head under its body and behind its furry tail. This position gives the fox the smallest surface area to volume ratio...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) faces severe population declines primarily due to climate change reducing Arctic habitat and prey availability. Competition from the larger red fox, which is expanding northward as temperatures warm, poses an additional major threat through direct competition and hybridization.
Climate change and habitat loss
Competition from red foxes
Reduced prey availability
Hunting and trapping pressure
Hybridization with red foxes
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Blue Fox (Vulpes lagopus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/blue-fox