Scientists are unraveling the mystery of how the last mammoths died on a remote island in the Arctic Ocean just 4,000 years ago. …
Arctic foxes also hunt for sea birds, fish, and other marine life. Several projects are underway to keep the Arctic fox from becoming extinct, such as the Swedish-Finnish-Norwegian Arctic Fox Project, which undertook measures between 2003 and 2008 to double the breeding Arctic fox population throughout those countries. It was named after Qiu Zhuding, a paleontologist from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Currently, the Arctic fox is in no danger of going extinct as it is quite plentiful in most of its range. Arctic Fox Evolution. Now red fox is the top predator in the area. The main threat to the Arctic fox is the historic hunt for its valuable fur. ; This ancient fox (Vulpes qiuzhudingi) is now believed as the ancestor of the existing Arctic fox. However, in a few areas the population has dwindled. (National Geographic Society, 2013) . The Arctic fox, which roams across tundra and sea ice, is disappearing from the southern edge of its range. This is due to the climate changes, when the camouflage factor of the lighter coat is reduced by the decreasing snow cover. They are dependent on the presence of smaller animals (most often lemmings) to survive. On land, it faces the northward retreat of tundra habitat, declines in lemming prey, and increased competition with red foxes, which are moving north as temperatures warm. Sweden, Finland and Norway have all had protective laws regarding Arctic foxes for over 60 years. The total number of Arctic foxes in Finland, Norway and Sweden is only about 120 adults. The fossils, dating from between 5.08 and 3.60 million years ago, were found in the Zanda Basin and Kunlun Mountains of Tibet. Is the Arctic Fox Becoming Extinct? The Arctic fox is under the least threat of extinction among other animal species, except for the Scandinavian population where it is endangered. The Arctic Fox has been declining in numbers due to over hunting in some areas and the emergence of the large red fox in others. Some local populations are in danger, however. Finland, Norway, and Sweden are some of the areas where the dwindling population of Arctic foxes has been … The Arctic Fox is one of the most endearing animals in the Tundra region. The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus L.) is listed as extinct in Finland, endangered in Sweden and critically endangered in Norway. It was believed that Arctic foxes evolved in Europe around 2.6 million years ago. It was primarily carnivorous. The red foxes usually kill the arctic foxes and the kits in areas where their presence is overlapped. The Arctic fox is primarily a carnivore that lives inland, away from the coasts. Map data provided by IUCN. The Arctic fox is under the least threat of extinction among other animal species, except for the Scandinavian population where it is endangered.