The Raising Arctic Fox Cubs (video )

 So many animals choose to pair up because co-parenting has some definite

advantages, especially here in the Arctic, home to the Arctic fox

in one of the harshest places on earth to try and raise a family.

With temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius, winter has forced this devoted Arctic fox

pair to part in their search for food and battle for survival. As winter's grip loosens,

the snow melts and the foxes sport their new summer coats,

will the fox pair back together again? But life hasn't got any easier as they now

have extra mouths to feed.

These camps are about four weeks old and their parents take it in turns to dote on them

and the Cubs need to be fully independent by the time winter comes around again.

So this duo works flat out to share the hunting. Like all parents working on opposite shifts.

They don't get to see much of each other. So snatched moments of family

time are precious helpers. But with the survival of the Cubs directly linked

to how much food mum and Dad can put on the table, there's little time for relaxation

except for the Cubs, the foxes of time, their offspring's arrival

with a glut of food.

Other animals have babies too. And this fox mum has found a nest full of eggs.

But she's possibly underestimated how fierce the snow geese can be.

The single Arctic fox will take as many as 1500 eggs during the breeding

season.

These parents have just four more months to fatten up the Cubs before they have to be independent.

So teaming up is the only way they can successfully raise young in the narrow

window of summer time. The dual effort helps many parents face the challenge

of raising their young in a short growing season

before the hardship of winter arrives.

Raising Arctic fox cubs can be an extraordinary experience, whether in the wild or through conservation efforts. Here's a glimpse into the process:

1. Birth and Early Care: Arctic foxes typically give birth to a litter of pups in dens dug into the permafrost or snow banks. The mother provides warmth, protection, and nourishment to the newborns, often nursing them for the first few weeks of their lives.

2. Exploration and Learning: As the cubs grow older, they start to venture out of the den under the watchful eye of their mother. They learn essential survival skills such as hunting, foraging, and social interaction by observing and mimicking their parents.

3. Play and Bonding: Arctic fox cubs engage in playful behavior with their siblings, which helps them develop coordination, strength, and social bonds. Play also serves as a form of practice for hunting and other adult behaviors.

4. Maturation and Independence: By late summer or early autumn, the cubs begin to reach maturity. They start accompanying their parents on hunting trips and gradually become more independent. Eventually, they will leave their family group to establish their territories and find mates of their own.

5. Conservation Efforts: In some cases, orphaned or injured Arctic fox cubs may be rescued and rehabilitated by wildlife organizations. These cubs are cared for by trained professionals who provide them with proper nutrition, medical treatment, and enrichment activities to prepare them for release back into the wild.

Raising Arctic fox cubs requires patience, dedication, and expertise, whether undertaken by their parents in their natural habitat or by conservationists working to ensure the survival of this iconic species.