Arctic Fox

Vulpes lagopus

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAJA02010
Common Name: 
Arctic Fox
Scientific Name: 
Vulpes lagopus
Synonyms: 
Alopex lagopus
Naming References: 
B149
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Carnivora
Family: 
Canidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

9 months
References: 
B113

Longevity

Average 3 - 4, up to 9 -10 years.
References: 
B113

Economic/Human Considerations

important fur bearers
References: 
B001
Habitat
Arctic and alpine tundra zones; boreal forest border and onto frozen seas during winter
References: 
B001
Distribution

Ecozones

Arctic Cordillera, Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield
References: 
B001

Distribution

60% of the NWT
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
P096

Number of Occurrences

Score: 
E = >

Area of Occupancy

Relatively unchanged from historic range (B113). Undergo migrations when populations get excessive (B001).
Score: 
-
References: 
B113
Population

Population Size

Annual fur auction in NWT = 2,000. Total numbers unknown but >100,000.
Score: 
G = 1
References: 
H116
R120

Density

0.086 to 0.386 fox per sq.km
Trends

Trends

Dramatic fluctuation with peaks approximately every 4 years (generally follow lemming populations).
References: 
B113
Threats

Threats

Rabies, encephalitis, distemper, low prey populations (B001). Harvest lower than previous years (R120),
Score: 
C = M
References: 
B001
R120

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
B001
R120
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004, no changes in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024
Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
-

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Corporate Services, NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1999) Game Licencing System: Individual Trapping Summary. summary in excel file generated by Guy Erasmus (S:\Guy\Furstats by species 1957 - 1997) - R120 Return

Longevity

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Naming

  • Baker, R. J., L. C. Bradley, R. D. Bradley, J. W. Dragoo, M. D. Engstrom, R. S. Hoffman, C. A. Jones, F. Reid, D. W. Rice, and C. Jones. (2003) Revised checklist of North American mammals north of Mexico, 2003.. Museum of Texas Tech University Occasional Papers 229:1-23. - B149 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Population Size

Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
,
Corporate Services, NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1999) Game Licencing System: Individual Trapping Summary. summary in excel file generated by Guy Erasmus (S:\Guy\Furstats by species 1957 - 1997) - R120 Return

Range Extent

  • NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1991) NWT Wildlife Sketches: Arctic and Red Foxes of the Northwest Territories. NWT Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development 1st Edition Personal Files - P096 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Corporate Services, NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1999) Game Licencing System: Individual Trapping Summary. summary in excel file generated by Guy Erasmus (S:\Guy\Furstats by species 1957 - 1997) - R120 Return