What Eats an Arctic Fox? 14 Arctic Fox Predators

The arctic fox is a clever little hunter of the far north. But even this foxy predator has to watch its tail, because a number of lethal predators want to make a meal of the arctic fox! Read on to meet the rogues gallery of villains, bullies, bandits, and assassins that hunt the hunter.

1. Polar Bears

The mighty polar bear is the largest land carnivore in the Arctic. These giants can weigh over 1,500 pounds – that’s as heavy as a small car! Under all that fluffy white fur are powerful hunters. Polar bears mainly feast on seals, but they also gobble up arctic foxes whenever they get the chance. With massive dinner plate-sized paws and strong jaws full of deadly teeth, polar bears can chomp an adult fox in one bite. But they especially love snacking on the helpless baby fox kits in summertime. For arctic fox parents trying to raise their young, polar bears are enemy #1!

2. Red Foxes

Arctic foxes and red foxes are distant cousins. But they compete for food and territory when their homes overlap. Red foxes live farther south, but with the climate warming up, they are expanding their range northwards into arctic fox land. These red rascals won’t back down from a fight over good hunting grounds. Though smaller, red foxes can hold their own in tussles with arctic cousins. And they will readily kill arctic foxes to take over an area. For arctic foxes trying to defend their turf, red foxes are a real nuisance!

3. Wolves

Wolves are expert hunters that roam the tundra in tight-knit packs. Using teamwork and endurance, they can run down just about any prey. A whole wolf pack working together is lethal to an arctic fox. They chase after foxes for miles across the open plains. Some wolves run close behind while others try to surround and cut off any escape routes. Exhausted foxes get hamstrung and disemboweled once the ruthless pack closes in. Though wolves usually hunt bigger game like caribou or moose, they’ll happily snack on a fox if they catch one. Against a wolf pack on the prowl, the arctic fox is in real trouble!

4. Snowy Owls

With bright yellow eyes, snowy owls scan the ground below from the air, seeking any movement. When they spy an arctic fox, they initiate a stealthy ambush. These white-winged assassins swoop down with their sharp talons outstretched. The fox often doesn’t detect them until it’s too late. Snowy owls can snatch fox pups right out of their dens before the parents intervene. And adults tracked across open ground make easy targets. The last thing a fox sees is a blur of white wings before the deadly owl snags it in its clutches. Attacks come fast and silent from above!

5. Skuas

Skuas are big, brown pirate birds that migrate north to the Arctic each summer. They nest in huge, noisy colonies and patrol the tundra in rowdy gangs. Skuas will mercilessly harass and pester any fox they find, forcing it to drop food. Then they boldly swoop in to steal the discarded meal! Smaller foxes can even get mobbed and killed by a whole flock of these greedy bullies. With sharp beaks and claws, skuas spell trouble for any fox trying to enjoy a snack out on the open tundra.

6. Rough-Legged Hawks

With excellent eyesight and aerial skills, rough-legged hawks rule the Arctic skies. They spend summers up north feasting on lemmings and voles. Though small rodents are their favorite food, the hawks will readily kill an arctic fox if given the chance. From high above, they spot any foxes moving around exposed terrain. Then they fold their wings back and rocket downwards at over 150 mph! These dive-bombing death-dealers extend their talons and deliver a lethal strike. Under the shadow of their wide wings, no fox is safe!

7. Arctic Wolves

Closely related to gray wolves, arctic wolves live in the northernmost reaches of North America. They hunt caribou across frozen landscapes in large packs. Out on the open tundra, arctic foxes make tempting targets. The wolves relentlessly chase them for miles, tagging in and out to keep up the pursuit. Some wolves lead the chase while others try to surround the fox and cut off their escape. Once exhausted foxes are caught, the pack moves in for the kill. With no trees or burrows to hide in, foxes are easy pickings for these tundra terrors!

8. Gyrfalcons

With fiery confidence and fighter jet speed, gyrfalcons dominate the Arctic skies. These large falcons can dive at over 100 mph! They will swoop down and pluck a running fox right off the ground with ease. Or snatch helpless kits from shallow dens before the fox parents can react. No fox is safe with gyrfalcons patrolling from above. The last glimpse is a grey blur shooting down as the gyrfalcon’s talons deliver the knockout blow. For arctic foxes, these speedy sky rockets breach all their defenses.

9. Grizzly Bears (in rare overlapping ranges)

Though grizzly bears and arctic foxes rarely cross paths, grizzlies are bad news for foxes if they do meet. Lumbering around the tundra and forests of the north, grizzlies will readily gobble up a fox as a quick snack. They prefer fish, moose, or berries, but aren’t picky. With a heavy swipe of their big paw or bite of their strong jaws, a grizzly can crush a fox easily. Foxes know to make themselves scarce when these grumpy, hungry gluttons come stomping through!

10. Peregrine Falcons

When hunting, peregrine falcons tuck in their wings and dive at over 200 mph – that’s faster than a race car! Though cliffs are their usual habitat, some peregrines migrate north to the Arctic in summer. There they wreak havoc on young, inexperienced arctic foxes. Peregrines aren’t often looking for foxes, but will readily kill one if they get the chance. Against these winged fighter jets, a fox doesn’t stand a chance. One glimpse of a stooping peregrine means it’s already too late for the fox!

11. Eagles

Two species of huge, hook-beaked raptors patrol the Arctic skies with deadly intent – golden eagles and white-tailed eagles. Though they prefer to eat small mammals and carrion, these giant birds will snatch up an arctic fox if the opportunity presents itself. An eagle needs up to 10 pounds of food a day! With wingspans over 6 feet wide, these aerial assassins see all from their lofty vantage points. If a fox strays too far from its den or cover, an eagle can swiftly end its journey. One slice of their knife-like talons is enough to doom an unfortunate fox.

12. Ermines

Ermines, also known as stoats, are small but ferocious weasel relatives of the arctic fox. Only measuring 7-12 inches long, they seem an unlikely threat. But ermines make up for their petite size with tenacity and bloodlust. In a frenzy, a single ermine can take down prey many times its size – even an arctic fox! Their needle-sharp teeth deliver a lethal neck bite to helpless fox kits or even breeding adults caught sleeping. Though diminutive, an ermine’s aggression and element of surprise should not be underestimated by foxes.

13. Cougars (in rare overlapping ranges)

Cougars are powerful big cats that roam territories stretching from Canada to South America. They prefer warmer climates, but a few individuals do range into the far northern Yukon and Northwest Territories. There they cross paths with arctic foxes, who make perfect prey for these stalk-and-pounce hunters. Cougars stealthily follow foxes before leaping from cover to deliver a lethal bite. Foxes out alone at night are in grave danger. Attacks come without warning as these ghostly ambushers materialize out of the gloom.

15. Wolverines

Though wolverines prefer northern boreal forests to the open tundra, these tireless foragers cover vast territories scavenging carrion. If they come across an arctic fox, wolverines will gleefully attack. They have a reputation for ferocity despite weighing just 20-40 pounds! With strong jaws, sharp claws, and boundless endurance, a wolverine can run down and finish off a fox. And they will readily steal food that foxes have cached away. Though not constant predators, wolverines still harass any fox in their path.

Conclusion

In the unforgiving Arctic, clever arctic foxes must watch the skies, land, and seas for deadly enemies looking for an easy meal. This gallery of rogues, rascals, rockets, bandits, and giants all spell big trouble for the little hunter of the north! But foxy survivors use their wits and speed to see another day. Just beware the stalkers and ambushers both furry and feathered!