This is the North American fox species so many of us are familiar with. All though red is the most common color, the hair may be from light yellowish to deep auburn red. In fact, several color phases can occur in one litter! Here in Alaska we are blessed with a number of color variants other than shades of red. These Red Foxes displaying a distinct color pattern are referred by the name of that phase (i.e., red, cross, silver, black). The cross fox, for example, has a black/brown cross on the back and shoulders. The silver and black phases are similar. However, the black does not have the silver-tipped guard hairs characteristic of the silver fox. Whatever the color, these are cool animals!