Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World

Feature:
Irreplaceable Wildlife in A Warming World
Graphic of irreplacable species, emperor penguin.
We are connected to each other, to our environment. From faraway places to our own backyard. But climate change is now changing the Earth as we know it, and animals and plants from the Arctic to the Everglades are feeling the consequences.
Key Resources:

Arctic Fox

The hardy Arctic fox can survive polar temperatures of minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes tunneling into the snow for shelter. The fox’s white winter fur serves as camouflage, turning gray or brown in the summer.
Photo Credit:
Paul Nicklen / National Geographic / ILCP (Part of Irreplaceable Wildlife Photo Exhibit)
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Arctic Fox

Scientific Name: 
Alopex lagopus
IUCN Red List: 
No data
Endangered Species Act List: 
No data

Living in some of the most frigid conditions on earth, the hardy Arctic fox can survive polar temperatures of minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes tunneling into the snow for shelter. The fox’s fur turns from brown to pure white in winter to serve as camouflage in the snow. It feeds on small animals by pouncing on its prey and punching through the snow to catch its meal. When prey is scarce, the fox follows the Arctic’s foremost predator, the polar bear, to scavenge for leftovers.

Climate Change Impacts

Though the Arctic fox is extremely clever and resourceful, it too is feeling the squeeze of global warming. Throughout the Arctic, warming temperatures are allowing red foxes to expand their range into the Arctic fox’s territory. The larger and more aggressive red foxes have a competitive advantage over their snow-colored cousins, contributing to significant Arctic fox declines in many northern areas.

Irreplaceable in Your Neighborhood

The Earthjustice traveling photo exhibit, Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World, is available to bring education, scholarship and research to your community. For more information on booking the exhibit, including fees, exhibit specifications, requirements and descriptions, please contact Nadine de Coteau at 1-800-584-6460.