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The silver fox, sometimes referred to as the black fox, [1] or blue fox, [2] is a melanistic form of the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ). Silver foxes display a great deal of pelt variation. Some are completely glossy black except for a white colouration on the tip of the tail, giving them a somewhat silvery appearance.
A form called the cross, or brant, fox, found in both North America and the Old World, is yellowish brown with a black cross extending between the shoulders and down the back. The Samson fox, a mutant strain of red fox found in northwestern Europe, lacks the long guard hairs, and the underfur is tightly curled. red fox.
Most adults weigh about 5–7 kg (10–15 pounds), but the largest individuals may approach 14 kg (31 pounds). The red fox has a coat of long guard hairs and soft fine underfur that is typically a rich reddish brown. Its tail is often white-tipped, and it has black ears and legs. Its colour, however, is variable.
Nov 8, 2023 · Black foxes arise from a genetic quirk causing excessive production of the pigment melanin in their fur. This occurs when two recessive alleles for melanism are inherited, one from each parent. But just how unusual is this genetic combination? Analyzing 64,000 red fox genotypes, I found the melanistic allele frequency was only 6.2%.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Below is the article summary. For the full article, see fox . gray fox ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus) fox, Any of various canines resembling small to medium-sized, bushy-tailed dogs. Foxes have long fur, pointed ears, relatively short legs, and a narrow snout. They have often been hunted for sport or fur.
