Arctic foxes are a welcome species in many wildlife parks, such as Wildpark Hundshaupten, which I usually visit in frequent intervals. And artic foxes are a welcome object for photography - they are really cute critters and often subject to weird poses.
I thought I had seen quite some of those during the years I toured the park, but obviously never had chosen the time of moulting for my visits before. 70% of the winter fur consists of warming underhair, arctic foxes can survive temperatures down to -80°C with it's help.
It looked like a battle field - tufts of underhair lying all over the enclosure, and Pollux - the name of the illustrated arctic fox - still continuing to tear out large amounts of it from his fur. I can reassure you - some weeks later the fox still had a (strongly lighter) coat, only some particular rest of underhair scattered on the ground reminded of the battle.
In memoriam: Just today I heard much to my regret that Pollux passed away just recently. May he not have to be irritated with his underhair any more whereever he is now.
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Don't tear your hair, |