The Icelandic fox
Alopex lagopus
It is believed that the fox came to Iceland on sea ice about 10.000 years ago. Wich means that it was here before the first men came and settled in. The Icelandic fox is considered a part of a species called the pole-fox. The male fox is called cock (in Icelandi: steggur), the female is called fox (Icelandic: tófa) and the youngster is called fox cub (Icelandic: yrðilingur). Today the stock in Iceland is considered to be about 3000 to 4000 animals.
There are two main variations on the Icelandic fox, wich serve as a kind of cloak device. They are: on the one hand they are rust brown the whole year and on the other hand they are white in winter but gray-brownish in the summer. The white variation is most likely to live in the highland, but the rust red mostly lives in lowland, often by the coast.
The fox´s mating season is usually in the period between March and April. The fox usually pregnancy is usually about 52 days, and the average number of cubs is 6,5. It´s favourite food is eiderduck, the eiderduck´s eggs and youngs.
Alopex lagopus
It is believed that the fox came to Iceland on sea ice about 10.000 years ago. Wich means that it was here before the first men came and settled in. The Icelandic fox is considered a part of a species called the pole-fox. The male fox is called cock (in Icelandi: steggur), the female is called fox (Icelandic: tófa) and the youngster is called fox cub (Icelandic: yrðilingur). Today the stock in Iceland is considered to be about 3000 to 4000 animals.
There are two main variations on the Icelandic fox, wich serve as a kind of cloak device. They are: on the one hand they are rust brown the whole year and on the other hand they are white in winter but gray-brownish in the summer. The white variation is most likely to live in the highland, but the rust red mostly lives in lowland, often by the coast.
The fox´s mating season is usually in the period between March and April. The fox usually pregnancy is usually about 52 days, and the average number of cubs is 6,5. It´s favourite food is eiderduck, the eiderduck´s eggs and youngs.
Previously the chicken farms and the sheep off Icelandic farmers were in danger for the fox. But with increased supervisionn and healthier sheep the sheep eater, as the fox was called, gave up, and today it´s very rare that a fox killes domestic animals, like sheep or hens.
The fox´s coat has gotten well ajusted to the Icelandic weather and conditions. It´s coat is one of the best coat that are know in the animal kingdom. It´s very tolerant to cold. The Icelandic fox´s coat is very special because its hairs are hollow on the inside, and because of that they isolate the animal very well. The fox´s tail is very thick, and to save energy while it´s sleeping the fox curls itself up, drags its feet under itself and lais its tail over its legs and snout.
The fox´s coat has gotten well ajusted to the Icelandic weather and conditions. It´s coat is one of the best coat that are know in the animal kingdom. It´s very tolerant to cold. The Icelandic fox´s coat is very special because its hairs are hollow on the inside, and because of that they isolate the animal very well. The fox´s tail is very thick, and to save energy while it´s sleeping the fox curls itself up, drags its feet under itself and lais its tail over its legs and snout.
Each fox sanctifies a freehold, for itself and its family. Other foxes are supposed to respect their freehold, and are not allowed to enter. The fox marks marks the freehold borders with its urine, and it marks the nest especially well. The fox is a family animal, and pairs stick together for the rest of their lifes. The fox always collects supplies of food for the winter, and digs it into the ground.
Hrafndís Brá Heimisdóttir
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