Arctic Foxes Arrive, Halloween Event Next at Stone Zoo

Visitors to the Boo at the Zoo event this weekend will have pleny of Halloween activities to choose from, as well as an opportunity to see four arctic foxes that recently arrived at Stone Zoo.

"Children throughout New England are invited to trick-or-treat among the animals," reads a Stone Zoo press statement. "Thrills, chills, and animals lurk around every corner on the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Other haunted happenings offered throughout the day include: creepy crafts, ghoulish games, howling and costume contests, and a haunted maze."

Boo at the Zoo is slated to run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 20-21. Tickets cost $14 for adults, $12 for seniors (62-plus), $10 for kids ages 2-12 and free admission for kids under 2.

The zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as winter hours are now in effect.

For more information, call 781-438-5100 or visit the Stone Zoo website.

Arctic Foxes Arrive at Stone Zoo

Visitors to Stone Zoo’s Yukon Creek will notice some new faces, as four arctic foxes recently made their exhibit debut, according to the statement. 

The four foxes, three male and one female, are all from the same litter and were born in May, reads the statement. Arctic foxes are known for their pure white coat and their ability to adapt to harsh winter climates, the statement adds.

“Our visitors are sure to be captivated by these incredible little animals which are a great addition to Yukon Creek. They are quite active and it’s fascinating to watch the group dynamics,” said John Linehan, Zoo New England President and CEO, in the statement.

Arctic foxes are well-suited to the Arctic tundra of northern Eurasia, North America, Greenland and Iceland, reads the statement. They can conserve their body heat through their small round-tipped ears, short noses and fur on the soles of their feet, the statement continued.

"During the autumn months, they can increase their body weight by up to 50 percent," reads the statement. "Seasonal changes in the coat – white in winter and brownish in the summer – help to camouflage these small animals."

Litter sizes for arctic foxes can range from two up to 25 kits – the largest litters of any carnivore, according to the statement. Kits are weaned between two and four weeks of age, and previous offspring typically help with the kits, the statement adds.

Arctic foxes live in groups with complex social structures and communicate with barks, yips and growls, reads the statement.

At Stone Zoo, the arctic foxes have joined black bears, lynxes, North American porcupines and reindeer in the Yukon Creek habitat, according to the statement. This section of the zoo is open during ZooLights, the annual holiday light show that opens Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving) and runs through Dec. 31. Visitors to ZooLights will have the opportunity to participate in a naming contest for the four arctic foxes, reads the statement.

We'd like to know: What names would you give the four arctic foxes living at Stone Zoo? Let us know by posting a comment in the comments section below.