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Glite Dictionary
Alopex lagopus

Alopex lagopus

8.2
A small fox with very thick fur that lives in the far north and turns white in winter
  • noun
  • /ˈæl.əˌpɛks ˈlæɡəpəs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : Alopex lagopus
  • The Alopex lagopus is well adapted to survive the harsh Arctic winters.

Examples

  • In winter, the Alopex lagopus has a beautiful white coat.

  • Unlike the red fox, the Alopex lagopus can withstand extremely low temperatures.

  • Researchers are studying how the Alopex lagopus changes its fur color with the seasons.

  • The Alopex lagopus is known for its thick fur.

  • The Alopex lagopus is known for its thick, warm fur that protects it from Arctic cold.

  • In summer, the Alopex lagopus has a brownish coat that helps it blend into the tundra environment.

  • The Alopex lagopus hunts small mammals and birds to survive in its icy habitat.

Synonyms

Arctic fox
vsAlopex lagopus
1 3.5

A small fox that lives in the Arctic with thick fur that turns white in winter

is the formal scientific name used in taxonomy
white fox
vsAlopex lagopus
4.4

A small Arctic fox with brown summer fur and white winter fur

is the formal scientific name not a descriptive common name

Surface Forms

Alopex lagopus singular
Alopex lagopuses plural

Morphology

Alopex + lagopus

This is a Latin scientific binomial (genus + species) rather than a compositional English phrase; the constituents are not productive English words with transparent meanings for a B1 learner. Deriving 'Arctic fox' requires specialist knowledge of taxonomic names or classical roots that typical learners lack, so the overall meaning is not predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Alopex lagopus comes from old Greek words: Alopex means 'fox' and lagopus means 'hare-foot' because this Arctic fox has thick fur on its paws like a hare. That's why the name fits this small fox that changes to white in winter.