How Does an Arctic Fox Hunt?

With their wide (but short) ears, Arctic foxes can hear prey moving even under snow. Once they have located their next meal, Arctic foxes pounce straight into the air, then right down on top of their prey. In the fall, Arctic foxes work hard to store up body fat, increasing their weight by up to 50%.

How does the arctic fox hunt for food?

While they still hunt some birds, like ptarmigan, on top of the snow, arctic foxes often turn their attention to food found underneath the snow – specifically, lemmings. ... To survive the cold winters, they remain active under deep snow, moving through tunnels, and search for leaves, roots and berries to eat.

How do arctic foxes hunt their prey?

The arctic fox zeroes in on a lemming and pounces through the snow. When a fox is confident it knows exactly where the lemming is, the ambush begins. It will jump straight up in the air, sometimes several feet, and plunge headfirst into the snow with its mouth wide open.