Silver fox (animal)

A silver fox

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. Some silver foxes are bluish-grey, and some may have a cinereous colour on the sides.

Historically, silver foxes were among the most valued fur-bearers, and their pelts were frequently worn by nobles in Russia, Western Europe, and China.[3] Wild silver foxes do not naturally reproduce exclusively with members of the same coat morph and can be littermates with the common red variety,[4] although captive populations bred for their fur and as pets are almost exclusively mated with members of the same colour.[5]

  1. ^ Sharrocks, Erin (18 April 2023). "Barry: Rare black fox spotted roaming the streets". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  2. ^ MacKerrow, Ed (2016-09-29). "A Surprise Encounter with a Blue Fox". In Light of Nature. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  3. ^ Audubon, John James (1967). The Imperial Collection of Audubon Animals. pp. 307. ASIN B000M2FOFM.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference RWTF was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference trade was invoked but never defined (see the help page).