Arctic Fox
We will be having arctic fox kits this coming Summer (2021) and are taking deposits at the end of 2020!!! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me @ 812-865-3021.
Arctic fox in general seem to be a little more mild tempered compared to red fox, and in my opinion, are less demanding (if you have been around or raised both species, you understand what I mean). I always refer to mine as Teddy bears because they get so fluffy in the winter and their ears are more rounded and smaller than that of a red fox (who have large, pointed ears). One common "problem" I hear among Arctic fox owners is the more than less appealing smell of the fox. I can tell you, most of the time Arctic fox smell bad for one of two reasons. 1) It's actually their pee and poop that smells and he/she enjoys running through it, or 2) the diet is not too healthy and should be changed. A poor diet can greatly affect the smell and quality of their stool (that goes for all fox). We feed ours a mixture of grain free dog food (Instinct Ultimate Grain Free Chicken for Canines is best), whole birds, hearts, gizzards, watermelon, apples, mealworms, berries, carrots, mixed veggies, etc. Taurine is essential to the diet of a fox and can be found in animal tissue, that is why feeding meat is important, otherwise the taurine can be supplemented (liquid or in powder form).
Our Arctic fox come in 3 colors; shadow, blue, and polar. The Polars are grey on the top portion of their body with a yellow belly and they are the ones who actually turn white in the winter. In the Summer they will change back into their normal "puppy" coat of grey on top and a yellow belly. The Blues on the other hand are a dark grey, almost charcoal colored as a kit, and only lighten a little during the winter months. Blues do NOT turn white in the winter. Last but not least, the shadow fox are grey and white and have more similar markings to that of a dog, but also change to white in the winter. In the summer they do change back to their original color of grey and white.
Like red fox, I do recommend a large outdoor enclosure so that they can run off some steam. I would say no smaller than a 10x10 enclosure, with ramps and shelves for them to climb and sit on. Our enclosures also have hollow logs, large rocks, and multiple nest boxes and houses for them to play on and sleep in. Arctic fox can climb so having a completely enclosed enclosure is super important to the safety of the fox. Also, having a catch door is very beneficial in case they were to slip out around you (a catch door is a second door that prevents the fox from fully escaping).
When it comes to getting a kit, raising your kit right is super important. I know many people want to say it's like raising a dog or cat, but I'm here to tell you it's not. It's really complicated, and time consuming, and requires a lot of patience. Bonding early on is crucial for that connection with your kit. I recommend having your kit with you while you watch T.V., go for rides, or just having family time. The more time you spend with your kit, the better fox you will have. I always tell people, "You get out what you put in!" I personally have pouches specially for my kits that allows me to carry them with me everywhere I go, including track meets, baseball games, drives, stores, etc. (I can't tell you how many times I have been to stores with my fox). With that being said, NOBODY knows I have he/she with me and I never let anyone touch (for disease purposes since kits don't get shots until week 10). I think this helps them be exposed to hearing other peoples voices, getting used to other people and new smells, and it allows for more bonding time between you and your baby. Also, my bag is originally made for kangaroo joeys so it is very deep to prevent escaping and does not have a zipper so they can breathe!!!
Another key point with raising a kit is exposing them to all the things you want them to do later. For example, if you want them to wear a harness, then put it on them when they are 4-5 weeks old, not when they are 17 weeks and rambunctious! If you want them to ride in the car with you, then start early!! I have little doggy seat belts for my fox that lets them be clicked in and ride shotgun. I highly recommend these, they are super helpful considering having a fluffy fox tail in your face while you drive is not completely safe.
We try and get our kits out around 5 weeks old so that they are able to bond with their new owners and not us. The longer we keep them, the more attached they get to us. The first 6 weeks is crucial bonding time.
**Below are a few pictures of our foxes that we have raised. We try and take as many photos as possible and keep them updated here, so that people can see the potential parents of their kits. Upon pick up, we do not allow customers to see parents (from March-July) as a safety precaution to our newborn litters. Thanks in advance!!
Our prices range anywhere from 400-650$ (plus sales tax) depending on color. If you have any questions about kits, please just call @ (812) 865-3021 and I will try and answer your questions best I can! We prefer call over text!!