Here's the breakdown:
* Vulpes: This is the Latin word for "fox."
* lagopus: This is derived from the Greek words "lagos" (hare) and "pous" (foot), referring to the fox's furry, hare-like feet.
So, the name Vulpes lagopus literally translates to "hare-footed fox," a description that accurately captures the Arctic fox's distinctive feature of having fur-covered paws that help it move easily over snow and ice.