Systems and Light

Systems and Light [By Miren Bamforth 15] On behalf of the four other freshmen and two other ARTalk bloggers in 21M.A12 (Arts at MIT), I would like to state something: our advising seminar might be one of the coolest classes ever. Each week we spend the first hour or so of class learning about different facets of art here at MIT, followed by some casual chitchat about how classes and activities are going. Some of our most recent artistic endeavors have included sitting in on Senior Lecturer Anna Kohlers Acting with the Camera (21M.624) class and taking a tour of MITs public art collection. This week, we went to the MIT List Visual Arts Center to see Otto Pienes Litchballett and the Hans Haacke 1967 exhibit. We went to Litchballett (literally, light ballet in German) first. The exhibit is in a completely dark room except for the moving and flickering light coming from the pieces themselves. Originally, music composed by the artist accompanied the patterns of light, but this exhibit is silent. As soon as you step inside, you see this glowing ball of lights called Electric Rose. Electric Rose in black and white. Photo Credit: listart.mit.edu. The 171 light bulbswhich are all orange except for one glow in a certain sequence: the singular purple bulb first, then the upper hemisphere, then the lower hemisphere, then all of them. The calm, hypnotizing pattern of the switching colors draws onlookers into the piece. I found myself staring intently at the soft light for a while, even though, after a few cycles, I knew which phase of the sequence would be coming next. For a piece of machinery that is very different from stereotypical contemporary art (i.e. a painting hanging on a museum wall), it was quite beautiful. But lets move on. Inside the main room of the exhibit, there are half a dozen or so pieces. Inside each piece are different light bulbs which light up at different times to make myriad moving patterns on the walls. Hence, the Light Ballet is created. Like this, but the patterns are moving. Photo Credit: RP-Online.de My favorite pieces were the cube pictured above and these neat concentric circles of dots in the wall. Multiple light bulbs rotated behind the circular pattern to create this piece of the ballet. We werent allowed to take photos, so besides the above Google images I have nothing to show you guys. However, this gives you even more incentive to check out the exhibit and see Lichtballett for yourself! It runs from October 21st to December 31st of this year. The other exhibit that List is currently showing is entitled Hans Haacke 1967 because it is a recreation of an art show that Hans Haacke held at MIT in 1967. To quote the little booklet that I picked up at List: Haacke rejects the name sculpture for his works. He calls them systems Haacke deliberately designs his systems to evolve in time and be affected by time. Changes are desired and are part of the program. Because of Haackes interest in systems, his creates art which captures these systems by containing or framing them in little bundles. One of his pieces, Condensation Cube, is comprised of water and condensation inside of a plexiglass cube. Here, Haacke captures the natural system of water which self regulates; it changes from droplets to condensation inside the cube based on the heat in the room. So, in a way, the viewer does interact with the exhibit since they input extra heat into the system, but the water self regulates on its own. Science + art = condensation cube. Photo Credit: c4gallery.com Pretty much all of the exhibit has to do with the ways in which forces of nature are systems. The pieces are mostly comprised of wind, water, and grass. This is how the exhibit looked in 1967. Photo Credit: listart.mit.edu Since the current exhibit is based off of the original exhibit, Hans Haacke 1967 looks quite similar to the above photo. The balloon hovering in the foreground of the photo is still there, as is the moving sheet and the ice pillar in the background. Once again, go to the exhibit to see for yourself! (It also runs from October 21st to December 31st.) Throughout his career, Haackes theory of systems developed from those of natural systems to political systems and social systems. For example, he has a piece in the Reichstag building in Germany which was restored in the 90s once the Berlin Wall came down. The MIT exhibit does focus primarily on his earlier work, so I would recommend looking up some of his more recent pieces if you interested in finding out about the other types of systems. The final part of the exhibit is a separate room where some photos of Haackes work are hung. Some of the pictures are of work that Haacke did at his studio, but there are also pictures of the ruckus he caused on campus back in 1967. Haacke decided that he would do a line drawing in the sky with a bunch of balloons. . Release all of the balloons!!! Photo: mondoblogo.com This picture is from a line drawing with balloons that Haacke did in Central Park in NYC in 1967 (the same year he did it at MIT). It is called Sky Line. Essentially, the MIT version of this consisted of releasing a lot of balloons from the roofs of the main campus buildings. There is an extraordinary picture in the List gallery which shows the balloons slowly rising above the Great Dome on a particularly clear day. I dont know how much Haacke knew about MIT culture, but it is almost as if he pulled off his own artistic hack from the rooftops. Good job, Haacke! Also, Haacke has a sense of humor. Some of the photos in the gallery are purposely hung askew. This makes the OCD part of me scream a little bit inside, but Haacke is just messing with all the precise MIT engineers who are going to come and see his exhibit and feel the need to tilt his pictures back into place. Boy, it was bothersomebut it was still funny to see all of the other people in the room squirm a little about it as well. This concludes installment #2 of The Cool Things 21M.A12 Does. Good luck to all you EA applicants! I was in your position a year ago, and I found that it was best not to let the college process take over your life. Remember to spend time with your friends (or maybe looking at some art? [/shameless ARTalk plug]) so that you arent too stressed out. And, if your path happens to lead you to MIT next year, consider taking Arts at MIT!

Chapter Essay Chapter 1 - 877 Words

â€Å"We can’t let the people know of this attack,† Queen Elara hisses. â€Å"Our people can’t know that the Scarlet Guard is getting stronger with each passing day and that they have reached the palace walls. We cannot let Reds have faith that they will ever be equals with Silvers.† â€Å"What about Queenstrial? This situation isn’t going to get in the way of that, right?† There is no way that this minor bombing is going to stop Queenstrial from happening. â€Å"No, Queenstrial is still on. In fact, we could use Queenstrial as a distraction from today’s events.† Queen Elara smiles eerily to herself. Just then a guard bursts into the Evac Room. We all stand up, wanting to hear what he has to say. â€Å"It’s clear, Your Highnesses. There was no further damage done†¦show more content†¦Queenstrial. I don’t want to think about it now, or else I won’t get any sleep tonight. I’ll be too worried and my mind will be racing to come up with all the possible things that could go wrong. Like losing control of my power, for example. I need to stop. I’m not doing myself any good by remembering that dream. More like a nightmare. I turn on my side and shut off my lamp. Eventually, I drift off into a deep, dreamless sleep. â€Å"Lady Samos?† A maid knocks on my door. â€Å"Lady Samos, Queenstrial is in five hours, you need to get ready.† â€Å"Queenstrial? Today?† I groan, still groggy from sleep. â€Å"Yes, Miss, today.† I open my eyes and the unexpected sun shining in my window blinds me for a brief moment. I throw my covers off and I stumble out of bed, realizing suddenly that today is Queenstrial. Today I will compete to become queen and take my rightful place on the throne. I grab a robe and open the door. The maid is standing there with my breakfast looking surprised. â€Å"Are you alright, Miss?† â€Å"Just perfect, thanks,† I quickly mumble. I wave my hand to dismiss the maid and close the door. Today’s breakfast is different: there’s scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers, spinach, and cheese, bacon and sausage, a blueberry muffin, and orange juice. I try to savor it, but my excitement and anxiety about today cause me to eat quickly, bite after bite. After my breakfast is gone, I start working to get ready for Queenstrial. I’mShow MoreRelatedEssay : A Short Chapter : Chapter 11623 Words   |  7 Pages There seemed to be a backlog at the next station. When Craig had approached the others, they had been ready for him, but this time one recruit stood waiting while another sat on the table. Both young men were naked and accompanied by female soldiers. There was an older nurse holding a test tube to the arm of the recruit on the table, and drawing blood from a vein. Craig frowned; he hated having blood samples taken. A young male soldier, wearing a brown uniform, ran over. Craig was surprised to seeRead MoreEssay : A Short Chapter : Chapter 11288 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Alea,† Thor called out. He’d been waiting outside of the nursery to speak with her, after all, if anyone could provide him with a way out of Helheim, it would be her. He tried to throw on his most dashing smile, but it didn’t work. Alea turned towards him. â€Å"What is it the mighty god of thunder wishes to ask me?† she asked. â€Å"Could you open the gate so I can get back to Midgard?† â€Å"Quick and to the point,† she said. Her lips pouted and she crossed her thin arms. â€Å"You know I am responsible for theseRead MoreChapter One Essay Chapter 11390 Words   |  6 Pages      Morning peeked over the horizon. A light orange infiltrated the sky pushing against light grey. The stars fell out of existence one by one. The master was asleep. his jaw hanging open revealing a blackened tongue. Fedele Moved quickly covering the master with one hand while the other held a dagger behind his back. 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Nervous? both?† â€Å"A bit nervous† Epsilon responded. â€Å"We’ll be fine though, Team S.P.D is with us.† Isaac nodded his head in agreement â€Å"Yeah, I’m nervous too. Vittorio’s manifestation sounds scary, but with Paisley, I don’t think we can lose.† â€Å"Paisley’s manifestation will really turn the tides of this fight.† Sabra said. â€Å"Isaac are you okay back there?† Claire asked. â€Å"You seemed really lost in whatever you were thinking aboutRead MoreChapter 1 Essays896 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Chapter 1: Mesopotamia 1. In the Neolithic era, about 8000 B.C., a new civilization and culture developed. The reason for this development was the change to hunting and gathering to cultivation of agriculture that permitted man to settle down permanently ending nomadic existence. 2. The Sumerians invented the first written language called Cuneiform. 3. Polytheistic Religion is the belief in many Gods. 4. Epic of Gilgamesh was the first literary story with a protagonist with a name andRead MoreEssay On Chapter 1909 Words   |  4 Pagesfrom a person his size would definitely put her out of action, but she knew he wouldn’t get too far. Taking a look at the ground, his blood painted. Dorian was crouched down to Malessica, whispering to her as she tried to break free. â€Å"Malessica don’t reply back to me.† Dorian whispered. â€Å"I figured out one of her weaknesses.† Malessica remained quiet, struggling to free herself, though she genuinely was surprised to hear Dorian figure out her ability so fast. Epsilon was gasping for air, continuingRead MoreEssay : Chapter 11159 Words   |  5 PagesWith a pair of concerned eyes, Aveline stares at everyone around the stone table in Varrics office. â€Å"Everyones here, good. 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They would sneak onto the data base and clear their namesRead MoreChapter 1 Essay1283 Words   |  6 PagesOther than Kelt’s genuine concern for my safety, I’d just messed up his day, and his safe passage record. I carefully presented him with the remainder of the AirPed. â€Å"You’ll need this for your report. Log it as a criminal pursuit and I’ll countersign it when it hits my office. The way I see it, you did everything you could to prevent this. You’ve no blame here, and that’s what my report will say.† He took charge of the AirPed, avoiding the razor-sharp edges left by the Interface. â€Å"Thanks, Sheriff

Moral Theories Of Human Rights - 1433 Words

What do you understand under the philosophy of human rights and the reality of moral theories ABSTRACT The idea of human rights came up as early as 539 BC when the armies of Cyrus the great who was the king of ancient Persia conquered the city of Babylon and he freed all the slaves and gave them the right to chose a religion of their choice. This reveals the history of human rights. However the history of human rights complements the philosophical aspect of the same. Both aspects champion the idea of human rights which emanate from the aspect that human rights are an entitlement to human beings by virtue of them being born human. Freedom, liberty, equality and independence are all important human rights represented in the philosophy of†¦show more content†¦Kant explains that the ultimate principle of morality must be moral law conceived so abstractly. On the other hand, Locke held that there is no innate human knowledge. He gives his ideas premised on the fact that there is duty, law, legislator and sanctions. He stipulates that no moral law could determine human violation and theory. It follows that moral obligations must be derived from legislation by intelligent beings with power to enforce their dictates by appropriate moral sanctions. On this basis, Locke distinguishes three basic types of moral law by referencing to the legislative source of each divine law, civil law and the law of repetition. He derived the aspect that divine law arises from the God’s right as the creator to dictate morality to all creatures of his own making. He held that denial of God’s existence, moral legislation or control would mean an irrational hope of escaping moral law. Rousseau indicated that humans lived originally in small groups and this allowed them to help each other. As time progressed, there where advantages of distributing labor, wealth began to grow and the desire for more grew. Then there was equality. With the growing inequality, property became more and more important and there was an artificial status hierarchy which established within a s ociety. Hobbes’ social contract institutes inequality as the fundamental conditions of modern society. He outlines that the social contract would never create stability but thereShow MoreRelatedMoral Theories Of Human Rights1614 Words   |  7 PagesMaster of Human Rights Peace and Development What do you understand under the philosophy of human rights and the reality of moral theories? PROF G. MENELICK : PHR 500 Laurelle Mbaradza 160563 Date _______________________________11 February 2017 ABSTRACT The paper gives a roadmap on the foundations of human rights from the mediaeval to modern times. 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There are only two basic kinds of prescriptive moral theories: teleological theories, deontological theories TELEOLOGICAL ETHICAL THEORIES Teleological moral theories locate moral goodness in the consequences of our behavior and not theRead MoreMoral Philosophy And Its Strength And Weaknesses1350 Words   |  6 PagesA system of moral principles is a definition of ethics in a culture or a group. Principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong are one definition of moral. In this essay, I will search for my principles and how I ought to live my life. What do I believe in and how do I apply this in my duty as a human being, as a father, husband and a military officer. In other words, I will search for my moral philosophy. Furthermore, I will explain my moral philosophy and itsRead MoreThe Divine Command Theory And The Natural Law Theory Essay1691 Words   |  7 PagesAs humans, we are able rationalize and determine what is morally correct. We are the only ones in society that have this ability since animals cannot differentiate between right and wrong. (Pisemenny, 2016) Two theories were developed that linked morality and religion are the Divine Command Theory and the Natural Law Theory. In this paper, I will discuss how the Divine Command Theory and the Natural Law Theory differ and how the Natural Law Theory is more effective. The Divine Command Theory isRead MoreUniversalist Theory Of Universalism1237 Words   |  5 PagesUniversalist theories (moral universalism) are meta-ethical positions that claim that there is a universal ethic that applies to all people regardless of their nationality, religion, sex, race, culture, sexuality, and other distinguishing features (Greenwood and Harris, 2011). Universal ethics refer to a moral system that applies to the entire humanity, transcending personal whims, and culture in the process. 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From the ancient Egyptians to the Mayans, from the Celts to the Greeks and Romans, from Hinduism to Judaism to Catholicism, religion has always been the center of human culture. Recent studies have suggested that religion was centered on advanced alien races whose technology was misunderstood. However, one thing is undeniable, these age old systems of belief and worship of a higher

Zombie Free Essays

The Cranberries provides the right qualities for the 60 minutes segment on investigation of the power of public protest. The combination of a strong message, powerful lyrics and visually dramatic video clip creates a public protest masterpiece. The AIR ceasefire of 1994 can be attributed to the success of public protest mounted by The Cranberries in their song Zombie’. We will write a custom essay sample on Zombie or any similar topic only for you Order Now Over thousands of years, music has been a part of human culture and been used to convey different messages. Music has the power to Inspire, unify and galvanism people into action. It can be used as a form of public protest to raise awareness of the issue to the general public and create a worldwide movement for a solution. This is demonstrated in the song Zombies’ by the band The Cranberries, creating a public protest song about the reciprocal acts of violence between the AIR and the British Army. ‘Zombie’ is centrally about Irish society normalizing war and young children losing their Innocence due to the Intense violence. In Ireland, violence was accepted as normal and a part of everyday life, this caused young children to become asininities about violence and its usage in ‘normal’ life. Irish children lived a generational perpetuated war, for decades. The Irish Republican Army or AIR committed reciprocally motivated acts of terrorism directed against the British control of Northern Ireland. Zombie’ makes the point that the boundaries between war and normal life are confused and ambiguous. This blurring created the atmosphere for accepting and excusing the war. The song ‘Zombies’ uses very strong and powerful lyrics to describe the situation of violence in Ireland. With their tanks ND their bombs, and their bombs and their guns’ refers to the environment which the Irish people lived in and the lead singer strongly stresses key words like tanks’, ‘bombs’ and ‘guns’. The message of ‘nothing has changed’ is common throughout the song’s lyrics, ‘It’s the same old theme since 1916’ which is a direct historical reference to the 1916 Easter Rising of the RIB (later known as the AIR) and explains the length of time the violence has been effecting Irish society. The lyrics show how the Irish people distance themselves from the violence by saying ‘but you see, it’s not me, it’s tot my family, they are implicitly denying the conflict and violence. The Juxtaposition and cross cutting between black and white shots of children playing and soldiers creates ambiguity between play and war. The strength of the message to the audience is enhanced by the pace at which the shots are screened in synchronization with the tempo of the music and lyrics. The gold symbolism Is visually dramatic which creates a paradox by contrast to the other bleak Images. Dramatic images are created with Dolores Ordinary against the cross, which is a preference to the 1 916 Easter Rising of the RIB. The singer is completely encrusted in gold and surrounded by golden nymph like figures which invites multiple references to Greek Mythology. The gold represents Justice, power, strength, purity and value. These visual messages add complexity and remove the viewer from the immediate clip and instant recognition by the public, therefore it would be an excellent choice for the 60 minutes special on the power of public protest. The Cranberries hit song ‘Zombies’ has become an anthem for the worldwide peace movement. How to cite Zombie, Papers

The Evolution of the American Legal System free essay sample

This paper discusses the creation of the U.S. government following the American Revolution, and the political ideals described by the Founding Fathers. This paper looks at the gradual evolution of the American legal system. The author discusses the Founding Fathers, their visions of an ideal government, slavery and the Bill of Rights. The paper also discusses how a federal system operates, and how law is inevitably linked with politics. America is called the land of dreams where there are no cultural barriers and people from all around the world can come to fulfill their dreams. The ideal democracy it is said to have the most comprehensive and just legal system anywhere in the world. So it would deem appropriate to understand how this system developed and which factors influenced its development over the years. Taken historically America was a part of the British colonies so that the American legal system has evolved through the basis from the English Common Law. We will write a custom essay sample on The Evolution of the American Legal System or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page At the time when the legal system was established the founding fathers had a great fear of the monarchial control they had managed to rebel against. They wanted to establish a nation where the people controlled the state rather than the other way around.

An Introduction to the Beatles essays

An Introduction to the Beatles essays My experience with the Beatles has likely been very different than that of most people, especially avid Beatles enthusiasts I have met this semester. John, Paul, George, and Ringo first arrived in the United States on February 7, 1964. Since the moment they landed at JFK Airport, they began feeling the love from fans eagerly awaiting their arrival. The stage was set for Beatle-mania to take hold in the U.S., and it sure did. The Beatles were embraced by the entire country, and the rest is history. Just five years prior to the bands arrival in New York City, however, communist dictator Fidel Castro overthrew Fulgencio Batistas administration and took power in Cuba. He established the first communist regime in the Western hemisphere, and under his rule thousands of Cubans were removed from their homes and held as political prisoners for speaking out against his oppressive system. My grandparents were among these oppressed citizens, and right around the time that the Beatles arrived i n New York, my grandparents left Cuba and fled to the United States. They knew nothing of the Beatles, and they barely spoke English as it was. By the time they were able to establish themselves in the United States and have kids, it was the 70s. As a result, my parents were more influenced by artists of the 80s like Madonna and Prince while they were growing up. Of course they had heard of the Beatles, but the British band was for the most part before their time. In turn, the Beatles also had very little influence in my life, and I didnt even hear about them until I was in high school. By the time I started my freshman year at the University of Florida, I was well aware of the fact that the Beatles were one of the greatest and most influential bands in history. I just didnt understand why. I had listened to a few of their songs here and there, but I couldnt see what made them so great and so famo...

Arctic Fox Facts (Vulpes lagopus)

Arctic Fox Facts (Vulpes lagopus) The arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is a small fox known for its luxurious  fur and entertaining hunting antics. Photographs of the fox usually show it with a white winter coat, but the animal may be a different color depending on genetics and season. Fast Facts: Arctic Fox Scientific Name: Vulpes lagopus (V. lagopus)Common Names: Arctic fox, white fox, polar fox, snow foxBasic Animal Group: MammalSize: 20 inches (female); 22 inches (male), plus a 12 inch tail.Weight: 3-7 poundsDiet: OmnivoreLifespan:  3-4 yearsHabitat: Arctic tundraPopulation: Hundreds of thousandsConservation Status: Least Concern Description The scientific name  Vulpes lagopus  translates to fox hare-foot, which refers to the fact that the arctic foxs paw resembles a rabbits foot. It is the only canid whose foot pads are completely insulated by fur. An arctic fox has thick fur covering the soles of its feet. Wayne Lynch / Getty Images Arctic foxes are about the size of a house cat, averaging about 55 cm (male) to 52 cm (female) in height, with a 30 cm tail. The foxs weight depends on the season. In the summer, a fox puts on fat to help it survive the winter, essentially doubling its weight. Males range from 3.2 to 9.4 kg, while females weigh from 1.4 to 3.2 kg. The arctic fox has a low surface area to volume ratio to protect it from  the cold. It has a short muzzle and legs, compact body, and short, thick ears. When the temperature is warm, an arctic fox radiates heat through its nose. There are two arctic fox color morphs. The blue fox is a morph that appears dark blue, brown, or gray year-round. Blue foxes live is coastal regions where their fur serves as camouflage against the rocks. The white morph has a brown coat with gray abdomen in the summer and white coat in the winter. The color change helps the fox blend in with its surroundings to avoid predators. Habitat and Distribution Like its name implies, the arctic fox lives in the tundra of the Arctic region of the Northern Hemisphere. It is found in Canada, Alaska, Russia, Greenland, and (rarely) Scandinavia. The arctic fox is the only native land mammal found in Iceland. Adaptations for Life in the Arctic Circle When an arctic fox hears a rodent beneath the snow, it leaps into the air to silently pounce upon prey from above. Steven Kazlowski/Nature Picture Library / Getty Images Life on the tundra isnt easy, but the arctic fox is well adapted to its environment. One of the most interesting adaptations is the foxs hunting behavior. The fox uses its front-facing ears to triangulate prey location under the snow. When it hears a meal, the fox leaps into the air and pounces into the snow to reach its prize. An arctic fox can hear a lemming under 46 to 77 cm of snow and a seal lair beneath 150 cm of snow. Foxes also use their keen sense of smell to track prey. The fox can track a polar bear to scavenge its kill or smell a carcass from 10 to 40 km away. The foxs coat color helps it avoid predators, but the coats main adaptation is its high insulation value. The thick fur helps the fox stay warm even when the temperature drops well below freezing. The fox doesnt hibernate, so the coat makes it possible to conserve heat and hunt in the winter. However, recent research indicates the fox quickly burns its stored fat when the temperature drops well below freezing. Foxes live in burrows, preferring warrens with multiple entrances/exits to aid in escaping predators. Some foxes migrate and will tunnel in snow to make a shelter. Reproduction and Offspring If food is abundant, an arctic fox may give birth to up to 25 pups!. Richard Kemp / Getty Images Arctic foxes are mostly monogamous, with both parents caring for offspring. However, social structure depends on predator and prey abundance. Sometimes the foxes will form packs and be promiscuous to increase pup survival and guard against threats. Although red foxes prey upon arctic foxes, the two species are genetically compatible and have been known to interbreed on rare occasions. Foxes breed in April or May with a gestation period of approximately 52 days. Blue foxes, which live on the coast and enjoy a consistent food supply, typically have 5 pups each year. White arctic foxes may not reproduce when food is scarce, yet can have as many as 25 pups in a litter when prey is abundant. This is the largest litter size in order Carnivora. Both parents help care for the pups or kits. The kits emerge from the den when they are 3 to 4 weeks old and are weaned at 9 weeks old. When resources are abundant, older offspring may remain within their parents territory to help guard it and aid kit survival. Arctic foxes only live three to four years in the wild. Foxes with dens near a food supply tend to live longer than animals that migrate to follow larger predators. Diet and Behavior This arctic fox, midway between its summer and winter coats, is stealing an egg. Sven Zacek / Getty Images The arctic fox is an omnivorous predator. It preys on lemmings and other rodents, seal pups, fish, birds, eggs, insects, and other invertebrates. It also eats berries, seaweed, and carrion, sometimes tracking polar bears to eat the remains of their kill. Arctic foxes bury excess food in a cache to store for winter and rearing kits. Arctic foxes are preyed upon by red foxes, eagles, wolves, wolverines, and bears. Conservation Status The blue fox variant of the arctic fox is highly valued in the fur trade. lambada / Getty Images The IUCN categorizes the conservation status of the arctic fox as of least concern. The global population of arctic foxes is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands. However, the species is acutely endangered in northern Europe, with fewer than 200 adults remaining in Norway, Sweden, and Finland combined. Even though hunting has been prohibited for decades, the animals are poached for their valuable fur. The population on Medny Island, Russia is also endangered. Threats The arctic fox faces severe challenges from hunting and climate change. Warmer temperatures have made the foxs white winter coloration readily visible to predators. The red fox, in particular, threatens the arctic fox. In some areas, the red fox has become dominant as its predator, the grey wolf, has been hunted to near extinction. Disease and scarcity of prey affect arctic fox populations in some parts of its range. Can You Have a Pet Arctic Fox? Red foxes are more common pets than arctic foxes. All images taken by Keven Law of London, England. / Getty Images Foxes, like dogs, belong to the family Canidae. However, they are not domesticated and do not make ideal pets. They mark territory by spraying and need to be able to dig. While there are examples of foxes kept as pets (particularly within their natural range in the Arctic), the red fox is more popular because its better adapted to co-exist at a temperature comfortable for humans. Keeping a fox is illegal in some regions. The arctic fox is a prohibited new organism according to New Zealands Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996. While you may be able to befriend an arctic fox if you live in the Arctic, the creatures are unwelcome in the Southern Hemisphere because they would upset the ecology. Sources Angerbjà ¶rn, A.; Tannerfeldt, M. Vulpes lagopus. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2014: e.T899A57549321. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-2.RLTS.T899A57549321.enBoitani, Luigi . Simon Schusters Guide to Mammals. Simon Schuster/Touchstone Books, 1984. ISBN 978-0-671-42805-1Garrott, R. A. and L. E. Eberhardt. Arctic fox. In Novak, M.; et al. Wild furbearer management and conservation in North America. pp. 395–406, 1987. ISBN 0774393653.Prestrud, Pal. Adaptations by the Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus) to the Polar Winter. Arctic. 44 (2): 132–138, 1991. doi:10.14430/arctic1529Wozencraft, W.C. Order Carnivora. In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 532–628, 2005. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0