The thick, fur-covered pad on each Arctic fox foot is called a footpad.
Arctic fox footpads are heavily furred, an adaptation that reduces heat loss when the animal walks across snow and ice. Fur between the toes also improves insulation and provides traction. This is one reason the Arctic fox can remain active in temperatures far below freezing.
The pads are not hooves or specialized flippers. Arctic foxes are canids, so their feet retain the basic structure of a dog’s foot, with paws and claws. Their compact ears, short muzzle, and dense double-layered coat provide additional protection against cold. In summer, the coat becomes thinner and often changes from white or blue-gray winter coloration.