This Crazy Arctic Fox Behavior, Explained

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You wouldn’t think of a predator diving headfirst into the snow to catch a meal. However, this crazy Arctic fox behavior has baffled researchers for years. That all came to a head in 2024 when the true purpose and mechanics behind this Arctic fox hunting tactic were revealed. Let’s dive right in and see why these animals plunge headfirst into the snow.

Why Do Arctic Foxes Dive?

We’ve known Arctic foxes and their relatives, red foxes, dive into the snow for prey for years at this point. In snow-covered areas, prey moves underground. What used to be an open hunting ground turns into a violent game of hide and seek. As seen in the above video, the success rate varies, but these Arctic foxes are quite persistent hunters.

Arctic foxes have superb hearing, with specific attunement to frequencies between 2,000 and 10,000 hertz. These frequencies correspond with the sound of rustling and squeaking beneath the snow. The Arctic fox in the attached video is hunting for lemmings in the Arctic, which the average person would likely be unaware of.

Using this keen sense of hearing, the Arctic fox is ready to take the plunge headfirst into the snow to shock and capture its prey.

An Unusual Twist

There are two contributing factors as to why Arctic foxes don’t suffer incredible injuries while hunting this way. One aspect is the curvature and geometry of the snout. The sharp, elongated snout doesn’t get caught in the snow, it pushes right through to where burrows and tunnels might be. Additionally, the curvature minimizes the risk of injury.

Interestingly, there is another mechanism at play when it comes to how Arctic foxes hunt. It isn’t mentioned in the video, but this article from Sci News highlights an unusual method for determining hunting spots. Arctic foxes tend to jump in a northeastern direction, corresponding with the Earth’s magnetic field.

Success Rates

Actual success rates for hunts are hard to determine. However, it can be said that Arctic foxes are persistent hunters. In the frozen wilderness, chances for a decent meal are slim pickings. So, persistence and dedication to the hunt can guarantee survival for another day. Researchers did note the magnetic field did seem to aid with hunting but weren’t able to quantify exactly how much assistance this gave.

If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try Again

The fox in the video leaps into the snow over and over again for a good reason. Success means a hot meal, failure means they get to go back home with an empty stomach. Luckily for this Arctic fox, its repeated attempts resulted in a successful hunt.

Conclusion

This unusual Arctic fox behavior is part of how these animals survive in the tundra. While most of the world remains dormant around these predators, they at least are equipped to survive and thrive in an Arctic environment.