What is a Cross Fox - February 2016 - KNOWLEDGE AND LIGHT

What is a Cross Fox - February 2016

A cross fox is a “melanistic morph” (dark color variant) of a red fox (humans, bears, and many animal species are represented by variously colored populations). Red fox are a genetically diverse species including many sizes and colors; white, orange, black, silver, brown, and “cross” colors have been observed and documented. Some “morph” red fox have a dark fur pattern that extends along their back and across their shoulders forming the shape of a cross; hence the name cross fox. The “cross” fox phenotype is common in Europe and in 1758, the Swedish taxonomist, Carl Linnaeus described the cross fox and named it Vulpes crucigera; crucigera is Latin for “cross bearer”.

Dark color variant of a red fox (Vulpes vulpes).
I was fortunate to observe let alone photograph this beautiful canid while in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. I traveled to the park to photograph red fox but I never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to photograph a morph fox as well. This particular fox was making a living near a wetlands area and preying on mallard ducks and muskrats.
red fox cross morph vulpes vulpes grand teton national park winter mammal wildlife snow wyoming
From Mammals
Dark Beauty
The gene that is responsible for the dark or melanistic phase of a red fox is apparently pleiotropic (responsible for many traits) because melanistic red fox have larger tails, extra hair on the bottom of their paws, and thick curly ventral (chest and abdominal) hair. Although the "cross fox" has a unique appearance and characteristics, they are the same species as the "red fox" (Vulpes vulpes).
red fox morph cross vulpes mammal wildlife grand teton national park wyoming
From Mammals
Phantom of the Aspens
My brief encounter with this rare magnificent canid ended at sunset as he disappeared into the safety of an aspen grove. Although commonly called a "cross fox", it may be more appropriate to refer to these dark colored red fox as "morphs" or color variants.
http://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/red_fox.html
red fox cross morph vulpes vulpes grand teton national park winter mammal wildlife snow wyoming
From Mammals

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