Arctic Fox
Featured in: Year 6: Evolution and inheritance
Arctic Fox
Mammal
A small fox with a thick coat that changes color with the seasons.
💡 Fun Facts
- Their fur turns from brown in summer to white in winter for camouflage.
- They wrap their bushy tails around themselves like a blanket to stay warm.
- They have fur on the soles of their feet to prevent slipping on ice.
Name Story
Vulpes lagopus
means “The hare-footed fox”
What does its name mean?
- Vulpes — foxLatin
- lagopus — hare-footGreek lagos 'hare' + pous 'foot'
This fox has thick fur even on the soles of its feet, like a hare's furry paws — it's the only fox with fully furred pads, keeping it warm and sure-footed on snow and ice.