When do Arctic foxes leave their mother?

Arctic fox pups typically leave their mother's den around September or October, when they are about 8 months old.

Here's why:

* Food availability: By late summer and early fall, the Arctic fox diet shifts from the readily available lemming population to other sources like birds, eggs, and carrion. This makes it harder for the mother to feed her pups.

* Breeding season: The breeding season for Arctic foxes starts in March. Once the female is pregnant again, she needs to focus on her own health and the new litter, making it harder to care for the older pups.

* Independence: At around 8 months, the pups are developed enough to hunt on their own and survive independently.

However, it's important to note that some pups may stay with their mother for longer, especially if they haven't learned essential survival skills or if food is scarce.