Arctic foxes playing at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Simon Ager photo.
“The frigid Arctic temperatures have arrived at Seal River Heritage Lodge and brought out the Arctic foxes,” said guide Simon Ager. “With their thick bright white coats and glassy yellow eyes shrouded in black eyeliner.
“Daily the foxes are spotted playing together near the lodge and scurrying about the frozen tundra hunting whilst avoiding a sub-adult polar bear who for the moment has taken up residence at the lodge waiting for the sea ice to form, so he can begin his own hunt.”
A young polar polar bear took up residence at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Simon Ager photo.
“We’ve had some interesting fox interactions,” added guide Mark Scriver. “Chasing, playing and sparring. Today we also had a blue morph Arctic fox added to the mix. Most Arctic foxes are white but the “blue” morph is the same species with dark charcoal to black coloured fur. We also have two colour morphs of the Red fox near the lodge, the red morph as well as the cross morph.
Blue Arctic fox at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Simon Ager photo.
“The nimble Arctic foxes appeared to be teasing the bear but they could evade him when chased. This was half-hearted on both sides, but when the bear has a kill on the sea ice, the foxes will try to steal a morsel of food while the bear will more aggressively protect their dinner.”
