Most of us are familiar with the red fox (or orange if you will). But in fact, there are over 30 species of foxes, with many different colors of fur. Each species of foxes come in different colors and have multiple color morphs depending on the time of year and the particular mutation they are born with.
To showcase this delightful diversity of foxes, Moscow-based photographer Anastasiya Dobrovolskaya decoded captured the diverse beauty of the mystical forest creatures in a recent image, titled Autumn Equinox, featuring three women holding three different colored foxes.
According to starting from left to right, the dazzling picture features an all-white arctic fox, a red fox with a white-tipped tail, and a silver fox with a black/gray coat. The female models in the photograph reflect the three foxes’ shades with their own hair shading and differentiating apparel, featuring the decent variety found both individuals and nature.
Dobrovolskaya admittedly loves “complex, elaborate images, beautiful dresses, and accessories, shooting with animals.” Given her preference for shooting in nature, the talented photographer also captures the beauty of other animals, including swans, horses, and even grizzly bears. You might be wondering how Dobrovolskaya manages to tame the naturally-wild animals before photographing them, but many of her furry subjects were born and raised in protective national parks, where they are used to human contact.
Check out Dobrovolskaya’s beautiful photos below and find more from her portfolio on Instagram.
Red foxes and arctic foxes both change colors with the seasons and most foxes change colors as they molt with growth (from baby/kit to young adult.)
Shedding occurs just before the summer months, which helps them lose a little of their coat and guard hair in preparation for the heat.
Molting occurs when a fox goes through different growth cycles. Baby foxes also known as kits, are oftentimes born one color, then change color once they get a few months older.
Because there are so many different types of color morphs and hybrid colorations it can be hard to identify species.
Foxes change colors for a couple of reasons. Most red foxes and arctic foxes will change colors when they start to shed. They do this so that they will stay cooler in the warmer months. Their fur losing some of its defining colors and makes them appear to be darker or lighter than normal.
In the spring and summertime Arctic foxes are a darker color, usually a brown or gray color. They have adapted to match the colors of the earth around them. In the winter months, they turn white.
Red foxes will oftentimes change from red to gold depending on the time of year, they also do this as a seasonal adaptation.
Some foxes will change colors when they molt with different growth cycles. When they are young they are a brown or gray color, later they take on the color of their species.
Mutations are color variations or morphs that occur in different species of foxes. Some of these mutations occur naturally in the wild, however, a lot of them are the product of breeding programs from fur farms.
Red foxes and arctic foxes have many color mutations. Some of the mutations are caused by the different regions that they live, while others are from breeding.
Red foxes can be a silver color or black color. These mutations are a result of melanistic color morphs and vary in coloring. All silver foxes have some black, and some black mutations have a little bit of silver but there are also completely black mutations.
Silver foxes and black foxes have melanistic color morphs. Melanin is a process that makes a fox’s natural fur color darker through a genetic mutation. It is the absence of light coloring, this is due to a dark-colored pigment called melanin that develops in the skin and hair.
This happens in some red foxes and arctic foxes when they change their coats for the seasons as well.
Some foxes are born naturally in the wild with these color mutations, others are bred specifically for them. Around 10% of wild red foxes have melanistic morphs.
Melanism occurs more in colder climates. Albinism is the opposite of Melanin.
Red foxes have 3 main color morphs that occur.
Red
Silver / black
Cross
The largest percentage of red foxes are the red/orange color morphs. There are many other red fox colors besides these three, however, they are mostly man-made.
A hybrid fox is a fox that has been crossbred with another species to create beautiful color variations. They are usually the result of breeding an arctic fox with a red fox. There are a lot of hybrid fox colors and breeds. These are man-made colors, due to breeding programs that came primarily from fur farms.
Some of the most common hybrids:
Shadow red fox
Blue frost fox
Arctic marble fox
There are many variations in these hybrids, and there are more types that are made by combining traits from each.
Foxes are stunningly beautiful creatures. They come in many shapes, sizes, and unique colors. Fox colors vary depending on many factors, and with hybrid foxes, there are many more options in coloration.
There are a lot of good groups on Facebook and on the internet that are dedicated to identifying foxes through their coloration and shapes. If you have any questions about coloration or identification you may consider joining a group online.
For most of the pet lovers there, we know we are choosing our pets wisely (if we have the chance to). Some things have to be considered, like our capability to raise the animal or the practicality of raising a certain breed. Because sometimes, you would be allured by the look of the pet and only realize that it would be hard to maintain the pet.
The veterinarian Ben (@ben.the.vet) shares the same viewpoint. So he published a video where he ran down the breeds of cats and dogs that would have the most disadvantages for him as a vet. Keep in mind that this list is from a veterinarian’s perspective and is subjective. This does not intend to foster aversion towards the mentioned breeds.
