The extraordinary journey of the Arctic fox

Arctic foxes can move from the Atlantic to the Pacific for several months.

Scientists from the University of Quebec, Canada have followed the Arctic fox on Bylot Island in Canada's Sirmilk National Park for about a year.

They found a female fox who had 4,600 km in 5 and a half months. On average, it moves 90 km per day.

Research shows that people miss the road very well. The fox could leave the nest in the winter, migrate to a place 600 km away and return to the nest the following summer.

Scientists attach signal generators to monitor foxes via artificial satellites.

Arctic foxes spend a lot of time on resting and foraging on ice. Thus the melting of the ice due to climate change will have serious consequences for them.

They shed their feathers twice a year. In winter, their fur is as white as snow, and in summer the coat turns gray. Arctic fox fur has better thermal insulation than white bear.

The research camps on Bylot Island. They must use helicopters to carry equipment and food.

Scientists catch foxes or traps. After anesthesia they took samples of their blood, feathers and claws.

The Arctic fox has an enemy that is a red fox. In pictures, two red foxes play around their nests.

The Arctic fox food variety is very diverse. They love to catch lemming. This fox is sparing two children lemming back to their cubs.

The team encountered many difficulties in determining the age of the Arctic fox. Current teeth are the only thing that provides clues about their age. However, Arctic foxes rarely show off like this.