Vulpes lagopus
Silhouette: PhyloPic
In 3 days >90%
The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), 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 (18 to 27 in), with a generally rounded body shape to minimize the escape of body heat.
The Arctic fox preys on many small creatures such as lemmings, voles, ringed seal pups, fish, waterfowl, and seabirds. It also eats carrion, berries, seaweed, and insects and other small invertebrates. Arctic foxes form monogamous pairs during the breeding season and they stay together to raise their young in complex underground dens. Occasionally, other family members may assist in raising their young. Natural predators of the Arctic fox include golden eagles, Arctic wolves, polar bears, wolverines, red foxes, and brown bears.
The Arctic fox is smaller... Wikipedia →
Uncertain0:48
Denmark · 2025
© brickegickel · XC1027265 · CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Recording0:18
Iceland · 2024
© Margaret Woodbridge · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Svalbard | 🇳🇴 Norway | |
| 2 | Vatnajokull National Park | 🇮🇸 Iceland |
Very likely
About 80% of wildlife watchers report an Arctic Fox sighting in Svalbard on a given day, based on 380 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 3rd most-seen of the 14 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
September
In that month about 90% of wildlife watchers report an Arctic Fox in Svalbard on a given day, against about 30% in January and November, the lowest months. December has too few records to rate.
Between 3 and 6 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Arctic Fox sightings with a recorded time, and about 6 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is most active around dawn and dusk.
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Arctic Fox sightings, Svalbard has the highest daily chance: about 80%. Next come Vatnajokull National Park (Iceland, about 20%).
Same order: Carnivora
The closest relatives of the Arctic Fox that you can see in Svalbard (order Carnivora, Carnivorans) are Walrus (about 80%), Polar Bear (about 80%) and Harbor Seal (about 50%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Arctic Fox is recorded against all the mammals logged in Svalbard (380 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
