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Fox Claws

Introduction In this article we are going to be taking a detailed look into different species of foxes and their unique claws. All Foxes are digitigrades; meaning that they walk on their toes, not touching the ground with their heels. Unlike most members of the family Canidae, which include foxes, wolves, and jackals, foxes have partially retractable claws, which means that it gives some species of foxes, like the grey fox, the ability to climb trees. Since foxes’ claws are always protruding from their paws it makes it easier for them to fight off any predators they may encounter, dig holes in the ground to find food, make dens deep under the earth, and hunt down their prey.  Now let’s dive into a more detailed look at these unique creatures and all their specific claw features!   Arctic Fox Claws Arctic foxes, also known as a white fox or snow fox, inhabit the northern tree line in the Arctic tundra. The environment that they live in requires them to have some unique features that distinguish them from the rest of their fox cousins. Since these foxes are subjected to extreme temperatures they have adapted to living underground, beneath the snow. Arctic Fox Claws – Credit They dig their way down to avoid the frigid cold and high winds, which means that their paws need to be thicker and more insulated, which they are! The claws of the arctic fox help them to catch their main prey which are, baby seals, eggs from tundra birds, lemmings, which live under the surface of the snow, and berries/seaweed when available.  Arctic fox claws are slightly curved and very sharp, making it ideal for hunting, fending off predators such as the wolves, snowy owls, polar bears, and wolverines, and making their homes deep under the snow. The extreme condition these foxes are subjected to have, in turn, caused for some smaller differences in their paws, claws, and legs. Compared to other foxes, the arctic fox has proportionally smaller legs then most. The claws of the snow fox are cushioned in quite a thick layer of fur, which aids the grip of their paws so that they can walk on snow and ice without complication.  Gray Fox Claws The Gray fox are unique in their own right. These creatures have semi retractable claws that stay sharp their whole life. These foxes resemble cats in many ways, and are compared oftentimes to their feline doppelgangers. Similar to cats, these foxes often climb trees, sometimes even sleeping on a branch. The sharp curve of their claws, and their rotating forearms make tree climbing possible and put them apart from any other fox. Gray Fox Claws Gray foxes can climb vertically up the tree, going up to heights of over 60 feet and even leaping from branch to branch to escape from predators, catch any prey that may...