UNDERSTANDING COLOR NAMES
Naming of foxes can be confusing, as there are two different kinds of names - registered marketing names and names describing the genetic type of the fox, as well as aliases for a genetic type (for example, Autumn gold for amber gold fox). Exact genetic names are generally not needed to be known by the consumers of pelts and people buying a fox solely for being kept as a pet. Having a market name for similar colors makes it much simpler to refer to the colorations, and is especially helpful when there is a fox or pelt that cannot be reasonably identified with a specific genetic type. Market names can refer to several different genetic types. For example, in red foxes, the marketing name ‘pearl’ will encompass all types of pearl, ‘burgundy’ encompasses all types of dark brown mutants, and ‘arctic fire’ is the name of not only fire factor gold foxes but also fire factor silver, gold and pearl cross foxes. It is therefore not incorrect to call a pastel fox a burgundy fox, but it is not exactly accurate. This can make it very confusing for those who don’t understand how these names work and end up inaccurately labeling a color or naming it a color that isn’t actually recognized. If the color and genetics of a specific individual are uncertain, it is better to use a market name to encompass all possibilities of what it could be than use a specific and possibly inaccurate genetic name.
Similarly, wild foxes that are seen should generally not be assigned a very specific genetic name if the genotype is unknown, and can even be given a name based on standardized understanding of the color systems in mammals. Another factor in wild foxes is the variation of colors across subspecies, which makes it complicated in a way that does not need be categorized as captive colors.
In this guide, the foxes will be named by their genetic name first, market names second, except in instances where there is a potentially wide variety of very similar colors (for example, Amber marble will refer to true Amber marble, as well as accounting for the possibility of other light brown mutant marbles like fawn glow marble).
A list of all the market names and the genetic types they encompass can be viewed here.
Similarly, wild foxes that are seen should generally not be assigned a very specific genetic name if the genotype is unknown, and can even be given a name based on standardized understanding of the color systems in mammals. Another factor in wild foxes is the variation of colors across subspecies, which makes it complicated in a way that does not need be categorized as captive colors.
In this guide, the foxes will be named by their genetic name first, market names second, except in instances where there is a potentially wide variety of very similar colors (for example, Amber marble will refer to true Amber marble, as well as accounting for the possibility of other light brown mutant marbles like fawn glow marble).
A list of all the market names and the genetic types they encompass can be viewed here.
Scandinavian gene symbol system
Full Red fox (Vulpes Vulpes) Phenotype: AABBCCGGPPSSRRww Color factors AA - Red BB - Silver CC - Albino GG - Burgundy PP - Pearl SS - Mansfield Pearl RR - Radium ww - white series Color Guide Format Genetic name (Aliases, market names for genetic color) Responsible color factor + responsible color factor - Gene symbols (Link to live photo and credit) |
All images linked below as a reference for a fox color may likely include fur farm imagery, though some pet and pet breeder images are linked. Pelts, as well as foxes in fur farm cages, or being restrained, may be displayed, though no gory images or gross neglect will ever be linked.
Please proceed at your own caution with your comfort level in mind. |
ADDITIONAL READINGS
While this guide is in depth, it isn't totally comprehensive and strives for an easily understood and quick breakdown of each color, with only one or two examples of each color provided. One excerpt and one picture can't always illustrate the variety and complexity of fox coloration, so I encourage anyone curious about the colorations of the red fox to do more research. Proceed at your own caution; most of these links include fur farm imagery and pelts.
U.S. Fox Shippers Council: Color Phases
Includes pictures from the Beautiful Fur Animals book as well as other photos taken by SCIENTIFUR. The most in-depth genetic explanation of fox colors on the web. Estonian University of Life Sciences Fox Gallery Gallery with other pages in the index that display photos from the SCIENTIFUR publication, including red fox, arctic fox and hybrids. The awesome colorations of the vulpes vulpes An illustrated chart of the colorations of the red fox, based on the Beautiful Fur Animals book, with links to scans. |
Ranch Foxes Deviantart Group
A photo collection of ranch fox pelts. Gives several examples of each color, which demonstrates the variation within even the same color mutations. Red Fox Pelt Chart An accurate, at a glance illustrated chart (no pelts pictured) of the different variations of the red fox, based on information from the Beautiful Fur Animals book. The awesome colorations of the vulpes lagopus An illustrated color chart of the colorations of the arctic fox, based on the Beautiful Fur Animals book, with links to scans. |