Sven, the Arctic fox, has returned to exploring his habitat in the Arctic Tundra area of the zoo, now accompanied by a new female companion!

One-year-old Freya joined Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in late spring. While construction was underway in their area, Sven and Freya have been acquainting themselves behind the scenes. According to keepers, Freya is a curious fox who enjoys exploring her new home and interacting with enrichment items.

“She’s very fast, intelligent, and attentive during training sessions,” noted Assistant Curator Sheriden. “Freya and Sven have been seen digging together and taking naps near each other.”

Keepers closely monitor their behavior via cameras in the fox den as the pair adjusts to each other.

In the wild, Arctic foxes inhabit the treeless tundra regions of Arctic Eurasia, North America, Greenland, and Iceland. They are adept at digging burrows and storing food for the winter months, relying on their white coats for warmth and camouflage against the snowy landscape. During summer visits, guests can observe Sven and Freya sporting brown fur. However, they will don a dense, snow-white coat as winter approaches.

Telling them apart

Freya has shed most of her winter coat, but you can see a dark spot on her right hip, where she was previously shaved during a medical exam. She also has a shorter snout than Sven and is a little smaller. Sven is still shedding the last bits of his winter coat near his hind end and has a longer, darker snout. The hair of his coat is longer and greyer than Freya’s.