The "theme" for March is foxes, just because they're my absolute favorite; they're so damned cute, and very interesting! There are three different species of foxes in the photo above:
foxes here: the Red fox, the Swift Fox, the Arctic fox, and (my personal favorite) the Fennec fox. =)
Note that there are other fox species that I have not shown here, for instance, the bizarre Tibetan Fox which has a odd square-shaped head!
The Fennec Fox is the smallest of all foxes, lives in the deserts of North Africa, and is generally nocturnal. You might wonder why they have such big ears - well, they aren't only for hearing... Fennec foxes have highly vascularized ears, and the large surface area allows blood to cool off faster (which helps them adapt to high desert temperatures). In addition, their fur has a special coating which protects them from the sun, but their fur is thick enough to keep them warm at night. Fennec foxes have hairs on their feet, which help them tolerate the high temperatures of the sand.
1) it is very small
2) it lacks the musk glands present in other foxes (musk glands are sort of like the glands in skunks, except the smell is not as unpleasant).
Arctic foxes live in the circumpolar regions of the Arctic, where environmental conditions can be highly variable between seasons (cold winters, and long summer days – sometimes with periods of no sunset!). Consequently, Arctic foxes have developed several adaptations for winter and summer seasons in the Arctic Tundra.
Some characteristics of the fennec fox, have industrial applications. For instance, this video shows the applications of the fennec foxes' fur in sport equipment:
Arctic foxes live in the circumpolar regions of the Arctic, where environmental conditions can be highly variable between seasons (cold winters, and long summer days – sometimes with periods of no sunset!). Consequently, Arctic foxes have developed several adaptations for winter and summer seasons in the Arctic Tundra.
For instance in the winter, temperatures can drop to -50˚C - so the arctic fox has short legs, a short snout and small rounded ears. These characteristics all reduce the amount of surface area it has for heat loss. The Arctic fox has a counter-current heat-exchange system in the legs, which ensures that blood returning to the body (from the feet) has been warmed up. This means that, although the feet must survive at a lower temperature than the rest of the body, heat is not lost from the core of the body! The Arctic fox has very thick fur (the warmest of all arctic animals!), and its fluffy tail is used like a blanket. The white coat of the Arctic fox helps to reduce detectability by predators and prey during the winter. In the winter, when prey can be scarce, they tend to scavenge food left by polar bears. Unfortunately, these leftovers would depend on a good hunting season for the polar bears – which, due to global warming, are having increasingly difficult times with hunting on melting ice.
In the Arctic summer, the environment warms up considerably - melting snow and allowing for short-term vegetative growth. Arctic foxes shed their thick white coats, and develop a thin and dark summer coat. The molting (shedding) process can be seen in the pictures shown: Starting at the top-middle picture is the winter coat, follow clockwise around, and the summer coat can be seen on the bottom-middle - this is the Spring molting (preparing for Summer). If you continue clockwise back up to the top-middle picture, this is the Fall molting (preparing for Winter). The easiest way to monitor the molting is by paying attention to the facial features of the fox, as it will be indicative of what coat is developing. In the summer, when prey is abundant, Arctic foxes hunt and eat animals such as lemmings, voles, and arctic hares in the warmer months. If the Arctic fox is hunting successfully, it will store its foods in caches above the permafrost (it’s like using the lower level of soil - the permafrost, which is still frozen - as a freezer). The largest known arctic fox niche contained 38 birds, 4 rabbits, and nearly a dozen eggs! On the other hand, if hunting is poor Arctic foxes are content eating berries and birds’ eggs.
Arctic foxes are highly adaptable predators; however are susceptible to being threatened by global warming in the future. Although Arctic foxes may be more tolerant to global warming, some of the other species that they rely on are not (such as polar bears). Global warming is particularly problematic in the Arctic because when it warms up the permafrost, it releases more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere ultimately increasing the effects of global warming (positive feedback).
In the Arctic summer, the environment warms up considerably - melting snow and allowing for short-term vegetative growth. Arctic foxes shed their thick white coats, and develop a thin and dark summer coat. The molting (shedding) process can be seen in the pictures shown: Starting at the top-middle picture is the winter coat, follow clockwise around, and the summer coat can be seen on the bottom-middle - this is the Spring molting (preparing for Summer). If you continue clockwise back up to the top-middle picture, this is the Fall molting (preparing for Winter). The easiest way to monitor the molting is by paying attention to the facial features of the fox, as it will be indicative of what coat is developing. In the summer, when prey is abundant, Arctic foxes hunt and eat animals such as lemmings, voles, and arctic hares in the warmer months. If the Arctic fox is hunting successfully, it will store its foods in caches above the permafrost (it’s like using the lower level of soil - the permafrost, which is still frozen - as a freezer). The largest known arctic fox niche contained 38 birds, 4 rabbits, and nearly a dozen eggs! On the other hand, if hunting is poor Arctic foxes are content eating berries and birds’ eggs.
Arctic foxes are highly adaptable predators; however are susceptible to being threatened by global warming in the future. Although Arctic foxes may be more tolerant to global warming, some of the other species that they rely on are not (such as polar bears). Global warming is particularly problematic in the Arctic because when it warms up the permafrost, it releases more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere ultimately increasing the effects of global warming (positive feedback).
The phrase “as cunning as a fox” comes with good reason – the red fox is one of the most cunning members of the animal kingdom – capable of outwitting and outmaneuvering both predator and prey. Like other species of foxes, the red fox also uses its tail as a blanket when cold. But, its tail also acts as a signal flag to communicate with other foxes! For example male foxes (called dogs) use it as a mating signal towards female foxes (called vixens). They also use their tail to warn other foxes of nearby danger or prey.
Despite its name, the red fox can have many different coats (bottom-right photo). This is due to non-deleterious genetic mutations, which lead to multiple variants of coat colorations and patterns. In fact, pups from the same litter can even have different coats.
Because of its extreme adaptability, the red fox has the widest geographic range for any Carnivora member and it can even be found in urban communities (especially in Europe). As a result, it can pose problems when it is introduced into an alien ecosystem.
Although cute, red foxes are often pose threats as vectors (transmitters) of diseases. This is especially true in Europe, where red foxes often carry rabies. Another less common disease is “mange” – seen in the top-right photo. Mange occurs when the fox is infected with a parasitic mite, Sarcoptes Scabiei, and is characterized by loss of hair and self-inflicted wounds. Because the mites prefer skin with little hair, as the condition worsens more hair is lost and the mites are favored (look closely at the tail of the fox in the photo). The mite’s activity causes a reaction in the skin that makes the animal bite and scratch constantly - self-inflicting open wounds and secondary bacterial infection often follow (see the rear legs of the fox in the photo). A fox suffering from mange will often act abnormally. Some strains of the parasitic mite are infective of humans and most pets; so if you see a fox that is losing hair, biting itself, or exhibiting odd behavior, it’s best to stay away from it! =P
Unlike most mammals, the red fox is able to hear low-frequency sounds. A fox’s hearing is sharp enough to detect the squeaking of mice from as far as 100 meters! Below is a video that portrays a beautiful hunting technique and incredible hearing of the red fox. =)
Despite its name, the red fox can have many different coats (bottom-right photo). This is due to non-deleterious genetic mutations, which lead to multiple variants of coat colorations and patterns. In fact, pups from the same litter can even have different coats.
Because of its extreme adaptability, the red fox has the widest geographic range for any Carnivora member and it can even be found in urban communities (especially in Europe). As a result, it can pose problems when it is introduced into an alien ecosystem.
Although cute, red foxes are often pose threats as vectors (transmitters) of diseases. This is especially true in Europe, where red foxes often carry rabies. Another less common disease is “mange” – seen in the top-right photo. Mange occurs when the fox is infected with a parasitic mite, Sarcoptes Scabiei, and is characterized by loss of hair and self-inflicted wounds. Because the mites prefer skin with little hair, as the condition worsens more hair is lost and the mites are favored (look closely at the tail of the fox in the photo). The mite’s activity causes a reaction in the skin that makes the animal bite and scratch constantly - self-inflicting open wounds and secondary bacterial infection often follow (see the rear legs of the fox in the photo). A fox suffering from mange will often act abnormally. Some strains of the parasitic mite are infective of humans and most pets; so if you see a fox that is losing hair, biting itself, or exhibiting odd behavior, it’s best to stay away from it! =P
Unlike most mammals, the red fox is able to hear low-frequency sounds. A fox’s hearing is sharp enough to detect the squeaking of mice from as far as 100 meters! Below is a video that portrays a beautiful hunting technique and incredible hearing of the red fox. =)
That's all I have to say about foxes... for now! :)
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