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.
