by SARAH OUHIB 11 months ago
81
More like this
Class: Mammalia
provides protection from extreme weather and preditors
Females create dens to give birth in
Females create dens to shelter the young
the foxes form monogamous pairs
better chance of survival for offspring
Late winter
Early spring
Shelter availabilty
The foxes will find a shelter before reproducing
Food availabilty
The foxes will wait until theres enough food for them to reproduce
Adaptive behavior
Burrowing
Seeking shelter
Helps conserve heat
compact body size
Minimizes heat loss
Colour
Thickness
The family Arctic foxes belong to
Found in Arctic locations
Explains why Arctic foxes adapt well to cold tempuratures
The fur thickness, body size, and traits crucial for Arctic conditions could be traits that evolved over time.
these evolved traits might indicate how the species adapted to diffrent weather
Foxes that have traits related to reproduction like, good timing of breeding are subject to natural selection
Foxes that exhibit burrowing and den-building behaviors have higher survival rates and pass the trait to future generations.
White fur is more favoured because of the environment they live in. (snowy)
Constricting blood vessels in cold environments (becoming narrower)
Helps conserve heat ensuring vital organs recieve oxygen and nutrients
Heart Rate
Ability to increase and decrease to distribute heat efficiently
Fat reserves
The increased food intake helps store fat reserves. This stored fat serves as a important energy source during periods when food is scarce like winter.
Increased food intake in prep for winter
During summer and early fall Arctic foxes might increase their food intake.
Reduced activity in extreme cold
During harsh winter conditions, the foxes might reduce their activity to concerve their energy.
Metabolically
Their body adapts to extract as much energy as possible from the limited food resources available in the Arctic
Rectum and Anus
Rectum stores feces until they are ready to be eliminated through the anus
Cecum
A pouch-like structure where fermentation of plant material occurs, helping in the digestion of some components of the arctic foxes diet
Large intestine
Absorbs water and electrolytes, forming whats left of the food into feces
Pancreas and Liver
Produces digestive enzymes and bile that are released into the small intestine to further break down nutrients
Small intestine
Where majority of nutrient absorption occurs. Divided into three sections: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum
Stomach
Stomach acids and enzymes help break down food, initiating the digestion process
Esophagus
A muscular tube that connects the stomach to the mouth. moves food from mouth to stomach using muscular contractions
Mouth and teeth
Arctic fox have sharp, pointed teeth adapted to catch prey
Two lungs
Relatively Large lungs
Well developed alveoli to optimize reperatory efficiency in low temp environments
Reduced respiratory rate
Recirculation of warm air (as the fox breathes in cold air, the nasal passage warms it using the heat from exhaled air)
Nasal adaptations (nasal passage helps warming and humidifying cold, dry air)
Infrastucture devlopment
Pipelines
Roads
Human settlement
human wildlife conflicts
Resource Extraction
Mining
Oil drilling
Tourism
human preasance causing physical and psychological har, to arctic foxes
Farming
Both human and arctic foxes relying on livestock for food
fur colour alleles
Arctic fox's migrating to new regions
Creating new gene pool based on the new environment
Arctic fox trait frequeny changes (genetic drift)
example: A small group of Arctic Fox's live together. Just by luck a few of them have more offspring with a specific fur colour. That colour will become more common overtime.
Bushy tail used as a blanket for their body
Thick white fur that blends in the snow
Round compact body with short muzzle, ears and legs to minimize heat loss
Furry feet that prevent slipping on ice
