Question

Which of the two animals- arctic fox, red fox is smaller and why?

• A. Arctic fox, because it has shorter appendages
• B. Red fox, based on allen's rule
• C. Arctic fox, because they live in colder climate
• D. The animals do not differ in size, because both foxes are quite similar and belong to the genus vulpes

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (C)

Arctic fox, because they live in colder climate

Allen’s rule states that, in warm-blooded animals having distinct geographic populations, the limbs, ears, and other appendages of the animals living in cold climates tend to be shorter than their counterparts living in warm climates. Therefore the arctic fox living in colder climate will have shorter ears and appendages, or a low surface area to volume ratio compared to a red fox.