Where does Arctic Fox Stand on the Food Chain?

(Last Updated On: April 15, 2021)

Like every other animal and tree, the arctic fox is also a part of the natural food chain as a part of the ecosystem.

In fact, the Arctic fox is the secondary consumer in the food chain depending upon animals like caribou and rabbits, who live on the grass the first consumer in the below of the food chain.

In order to complete the food chain, animals such as polar bears, wolves, and hawks remain on top as the tertiary predators for living arctic foxes as well as other primary consumers down the foxes.

Arctic Fox Stand on the Food Chain

In this article, I will explain the Arctic Fox Food Chain.

Cyclic lemming populations, being the main prey for arctic foxes, drive an equal fox inhabitants cycle, which in opposite drives a demographic cycle in arctic geese, serving various prey for foxes. They are in abundance in the Arctic, but the fox must keep a balance in order to ensure a continuous supply of food.

In the Arctic foods chain, it’s proven that the Polar Bear is the Tertiary Consumer, the Arctic Fox is the Secondary consumer, the Lemming is the primary consumer, that Lichen is the Producer, and that Arctic Moss is the Decomposer.

The Lichen produces 100% of the vitality within the Arctic region, they continuously grow up all year round and therefore the next consumer does not lacs food. Lemming receives 10% of that vitality, the Arctic Fox receives 1% of that vitality, and the Polar Bear receives solely .01% of that vitality. That’s the cycle that keeps everyone alive in nature.

In case of the Arctic food chain, the Arctic Fox is the secondary consumer, second solely to the Polar Bear.

It is to be noted, the Arctic foxes are preyed upon by pink foxes, wolves, wolverines, and polar bears. Fox pups could also be taken by birds of prey as effectively, together with snowy owls, great hawks, and jaegers. This is the reality of the food chain in the Arctic.

The arctic fox is a consumer that will get it is vitality from an animal-like arctic hare.

The Foods chain for the Arctic Fox is the sun to the grass and sedge to the arctic hare to the arctic fox to the arctic wolf.

Consumers

The arctic wolf is a consumer that will get it is vitality from the arctic fox

Grass and sedge is a producer that consumers the sun’s vitality to develop.

We predict the impact of world warming on the arctic fox, the one endemic terrestrial predatory mammals within the arctic area.

We emphasize the distinction between coastal and inland arctic fox populations. Inland foxes depend on the peak abundance of lemming prey to maintain viable populations. Within the short-term, hotter winters lead to a missed lemming.

An instance of a foods chain in The Tundra

The instance beneath exhibits the vitality move in a primary food chain in The Tundra. This food chain is a part of an extra complicated food net involving producers and consumers. (herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores).

Producers right here embody grasses, lichens, and caribou moss. Herbivores that eat this vegetation embody the musk ox, arctic hare, and lemmings.

These herbivores are then eaten by carnivores reminiscent of arctic foxes and brown bears. Snowy owls, arctic wolves, and polar bears eat the carnivores.

The highest of this food pyramid is man, who hunts for these arctic wolves and bears for food and fur.

Now take a look at the diagram beneath for an illustration of a food chain within the Tundra. (From backside to prime)

Polar bear within the Tundra Biome

Omnivore

Snowy owls have smaller golden eyes claws lined with feathers. They prey less during the day, but more at night.

They’re discovered primarily within the arctic open and treeless areas, and roam around in search of the food when they need it.

They normally perch on the bottom and await delicious food, such as arctic fox, lemmings, and different birds and fish. The own has sharp claws, and keen eyesight in order to find its prey from along.

Carnivore

The arctic fox (a mammal) has brief ears, lovely flurry coat that helps it to maintain heat and likewise camouflage within the snow or ice.

Their adaptation power such as the white body and faster speed is unique and helps to keep safe from predators. However, this is not enough, and sometimes they are sharply couth by the predator like bear and owl.

They make tunnels and burrows within the snow to create shelter and move silently to catch their prey.

Herbivore

Lemmings are small mouse-like animals with their adaptative power to camouflage the predators intelligently.

They’ve tiny claws that assist them to dig tunnels within the snow to sleep in and stay safe from the unwanted predators, in the food chain.

They’re white throughout the winter, however, their fur turns browny in the summer. Many of the lemmings turn prey to the arctic bear all year-round. However, for successful reproduction, there is a balance between alive and dead by the hunt.

Producer

A lichen is a plant made up of fungus and green algae. They consume CO2 from nature and grow up lavishly all over the arctic zone.

They develop nearly everywhere, on rocky coasts, mountain summits, icy areas, tropical forests, and even on timber, rocks, and soils. This abundance of the producer is a good reason to keep other animals alive.