Lynx and Arctic Fox of Alaska

Expansive terrain and an abundance of natural resources offers the space and environment necessary for more specialized species to thrive. The Arctic Fox and Lynx are two species that have similarities to animals we see and observe in the lower region of the Northern continent. And, these species are both specialized and adapted to the arctic regions of Alaska and Canada. Let’s explore how their environments have impacted their adaptations and how they navigate their habitats.

Arctic Fox

Vulpes lagopus

Description

Often times, the Arctic Fox is noted for their unique fur color. They experience a species variance of having white and blue color phases. The blue color occurs more often in the southern island regions while the white fur color happens primarily in the northern regions. Full grown arctic foxes weigh six to ten pounds and reach approximately 45 inches in length. This includes their tail which is typically around 15 inches long.

These foxes appear to be stocky and sleek with their dense winter fur coats, short legs and body, with petite ears. These foxes due molt, so they have a duration during the early summer months of taking of a bit of a brown coat or have brown spotting. This happens predominantly with the white color fur foxes. The blue color fur can have hues of charcoal to deep blues year round.

Location and Food Source

The arctic fox enjoys residing in treeless coastal areas like the Aleutian Islands in the southern areas and can be found as far north as Utqiagvik (Point Barrow on the Northern Slope). They thrive in space where they can have ample food sources of voles and lemmings. When residing in the coastal regions they hunt small cliff dwelling birds like puffins and murres. This fox is a skilled and agile hunter.

Arctic foxes raise their young in dens. This way they can stash nearby food while caring for their young. Foxes have also been known to navigate over sea ice to get food and are able to move long distances over the ice. (Alaskan Nature)

Lynx

Lynx canadensis

Description

Although the lynx is large, this mammal is considered a small cat. The lynx is similar in appearance to the bobcat and is characterized by it’s long legs, longer tufts of hair on their ears, and blackened tip of their tail. Lynx have fur coats with spotting that varies within grey colors.

This small cat typically weighs somewhere between 18 and 30 pounds. Males are typically larger than females. They have feet that cover a large amount of surface area and can act as a sort of snowshoe to navigate the deep winter snow falls.

Location and Food Source

Unlike the arctic fox, the lynx is absent from some of the southern most islands like the Aleutian Island chain and the Prince William Sound region. They enjoy forested terrains like spruce and hardwood forests. Lynx particularly thrive in tree spaces that go through fire cycles. These forests have a lush vegetative environments where the small prey they primarily hunt thrive.

Lynx are known to travel about one to five miles each day unless food source is scarce. Snowshoe hare is one of the primary food sources for this mammal. Otherwise the lynx has been know to hunt small rodents and ground birds and even some more medium size prey. They have been documented hunting dall sheep, and sometimes even foxes. They are known for their ambushing techniques when it comes to hunting prey.

This small cat can even climb trees. Although, they typically save that energy for escaping other predators, like wolves. And a bit surprisingly, the lynx is the only cat native to Alaska. (AK Wildlife)

Mirroring Species

With the arctic fox and the lynx we can observe some of the smaller species to both the canine family and the cat family. Each species has gone through their own lows and highs in populations, typically due to disruption in food source or over hunting. Since those trends, both animals have seen numbers recover and stabilize.

Having a variety of predators in the arctic regions is just as important as any other area. The balance between prey and predators is essential to healthy environments. These mammals are to be respected by their beauty and stealth alone. So be mindful, be kind, and be observant if you get the chance to observe either of these majestic mammals.