As an opportunistic and nomadic animal, it takes advantage of any food and shelter it can find in the harsh Arctic environment. It lives in family groups in the summer that are generally made up of one male and one or two females; one female does not breed but helps care for the young of the group.

Since it lives in such a desolate environment, the Arctic fox will eat anything it can, such as lemmings, squirrels, birds, insects or berries. In the winter, it will track larger predators like wolves and polar bears and eat their leftovers. In the summer, it hides and stores food.

The Arctic fox mates between February and June, and females have a gestation period of 53 days. The female builds a den and gives birth to a litter that can have anywhere from six to 12 kits. Both the male and female care for their newborns, with the male providing food and protection.

The fox relies heavily on lemmings for food, and, therefore, its population fluctuates with the lemming population. Many populations have been eradicated where humans have settled, since the fox is hunted for its pelt.

It has a circumpolar range, meaning it can be found throughout the entire Arctic, including areas of Greenland, Russia, Canada and Alaska. It is the only land animal native to Iceland.