Head to head
Corsac Fox vs Arctic Fox
The corsac fox and the Arctic fox are both built for harsh, open landscapes, but they occupy very different extremes, one the grassy steppe and semi-desert of Central Asia, the other the frozen tundra and sea ice of the circumpolar north.
| Corsac Fox | Arctic Fox | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Vulpes corsac | Vulpes lagopus |
| Habitat | Steppe and semi-desert | Arctic tundra and sea ice |
| Coat | A thick, pale winter coat | The densest fur of any mammal, changing colour seasonally |
| Social structure | Sometimes forms loose social groups | Usually monogamous pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore, rodents, birds, insects | Carnivore, mainly lemmings and voles |
| Typical litter size | Not exceptionally large | Up to 18 to 25 pups in a lemming boom year |
| Range | Central Asian steppe | Circumpolar Arctic |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Corsac Fox vs Arctic Fox: common questions
Which fox lives in the colder climate, the corsac fox or the Arctic fox?
The Arctic fox, which endures the extreme cold of the circumpolar tundra and sea ice with the densest fur of any mammal, while the corsac fox inhabits the comparatively milder, though still harsh, steppe and semi-desert of Central Asia.
Which fox has bigger litters, the corsac fox or the Arctic fox?
The Arctic fox, which can raise litters of up to 18 to 25 pups during a lemming population boom, far exceeding the typical litter size of the corsac fox.
Are both the corsac fox and Arctic fox adapted to extreme climates?
Yes, each is adapted to a different climate extreme, the corsac fox to the cold, dry Central Asian steppe and the Arctic fox to the far colder polar tundra and sea ice.