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Arctic Fox are found in the coldest parts of Iceland. It is the smallest member of the fox family. Nature has provided the Arctic fox with necessary features so that it can survive in the terrible cold regions of the Arctic.
Arctic fox is a small mammal with an average height of 10 to 12inches and average weight of 6 to 10pounds. It has a compact body with short legs and ears. The Arctic fox is protected from the cold by its thick fur and thickly haired foot pad. It has the warmest fur even more warm then the fur of the Polar bear. Its padded foot remains warm even when it is digging the snow.
Arctic fox is an extremely cunning animal. It would have become easy prey for the Polar bear but its camouflage saves it. The Arctic fox has a white coat that makes it almost invisible in the snow. However in summer it sheds that for a brown one which again helps in camouflaging it. Some have a gray-blue coat that turns lighter in color in winter.
White fox, as the Arctic fox is sometimes called, live in burrows connected together by a series of tunnels. Arctic fox generally hunts small animals like lemming, tundra voles, squirrels, seabirds, and so on. It also feeds on leftovers from others' meals. It buries food for later use. It can kill its prey even when he cannot see it. When it hears an animal underground it starts to jump up and down on that spot. The snow gives way and it captures its prey. Arctic fox is hunted for its exquisite fur which are made into expensive coats. However in Iceland arctic fox is not an endangered species. Their number is healthy in Iceland.
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