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Colour mutations of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the wild and in captivity.
A brief introduction to the colour genetics of Vulpes vulpes
Red foxes come in a multitude of different colour mutations. A few of them occur naturally in wild populations of red foxes around the world, but, the majority were created by man, through selective breeding of foxes born in captivity with unusual coat colours or patterns or through the cross breeding of foxes displaying specific colours. Some of the mutations display noticeable differences in comparison to an average red fox, including a larger or smaller size, a much calmer behaviour, an almost complete lack of musky smell, or genetic problems, such as hemophilia. Today, around one hundred different coat colours and patterns can be observed, which were created over the course of about 300 years of breeding silver foxes for the fur industry. There are 8 genes responsible for the coloration in Vulpes vulpes. All the colours have specific genetic codes; an "A" would mean that the gene is dominant, while an "a" would imply it is recessive. Two letters with the same format (ex : AA, aa) mean the gene is homozigous, and two letters of different format (ex : Aa, bB) mean the gene is heterozygous. The "W" is an allele gene, because it can be found in different forms (WM, WP, WG, WW). The complete possible genotype of Vulpes Vulpes is AABBCCGGPPSSRRww.
Note: Among a colour mutation can be found individuals displaying a slightly darker/lighter coat, legs, ears, eyes, tail and muzzle of a different colour than the ''norm'', etc. Unless specified otherwise, these individuals still are the same colour. Not one fox is the same, just as for humans.
For very detailed information concerning the genes and combinations behind every colour mutation visit Fox Fanatic.
Note: Among a colour mutation can be found individuals displaying a slightly darker/lighter coat, legs, ears, eyes, tail and muzzle of a different colour than the ''norm'', etc. Unless specified otherwise, these individuals still are the same colour. Not one fox is the same, just as for humans.
For very detailed information concerning the genes and combinations behind every colour mutation visit Fox Fanatic.
Natural mutations (existing in the wild).
Red fox (AABB) The red fox is the original colour of the Vulpes vulpes. Red foxes are born black or brown and start developing their reddish tones around 2-3 months old. Their colour ranges from a light orange, resembling dark yellow, to a dark orange. The back of their ears and their feet are black (although they can sometimes be red), while their tail usually has black guard hairs covering their orange fur. Their chest and belly is white. Their eyes can be either dark brown, light brown, orange, green or light yellow. Picture by myself, of foxes at Cinezoo. |
Leucistic fox
Leucistic foxes partially or completely lack pigmentation, giving them a 'dilute' appearance. Given the many possibilities that can occur in them (partial lack of certain pigments, complete lack of other pigments, etc.) they can come in more than just one ''standard'' colour. However, generally, their legs, tail and ears are dark brown, pale brown, black or grey while their coat in general is a creamy golden colour. Their nose can be dark brown, black, reddish or sometimes pink, and their eyes, most commonly hazel or yellow, but they can also be blue, green or pink, depending, again, on what pigments have been affected. Picture source. |
Silver fox (AAbb)
The silver fox is simply the melanistic form of the red fox. Silver foxes can range from being completely black (absence of silver highlights) to very light, due to a very large amount of silver guard hairs. The darkness of their coat is classified with the terms 'extra light', 'light', 'medium light', 'medium', 'medium dark', 'dark', 'extra dark'. Regardless of how pale or dark they are, their legs, tail, ears and muzzle are always black. Silver foxes can have dark brown eyes, hazel eyes, orange eyes or yellow eyes. There have been rare reports of blue eyed silver foxes bred in captivity, too. These were the foxes which started the fox fur farming industry in Canada, centuries ago. There are 5 types of silver: standard, Alaskan, sub-standard, sub-alaskan, double silver). Picture of Nanook. |
Black fox (extra dark silver)
Black foxes are simply extremely dark silver foxes. These foxes are a rare occurrence in the wild, but more common in the fur industry where foxes of darker colours are desirable. Black foxes completely lack the silver highlights present on the average silver fox. Their eyes are either dark brown, hazel, orange or yellow. The tip of their tail remains white, as in all red foxes. Some individuals, both in the wild as in captivity, are born with a white patch on their chest, although that is not linked specifically to black foxes but is more a sign of piebaldism, which can occur in any colour. Picture source: Zazzle. |
Cross type fox
The cross type of foxes is the result of the mating of a normal red fox with a silver fox. Depending on the type of silver fox or red fox they are crossed with, their reddish tones can either be light, almost yellow, or dark orange, on the verge of being red. They can go from being nearly black with only a bit of orange, to more orange than black. Variations of the cross type foxes have specific names. These foxes have a cross sign on their back, which extends itself to their shoulders and neck. Their face, ears, tail, legs, chest and belly are black while the rest is reddish. Their eyes are either dark brown, hazel, orange or yellow. Picture by myself, in Toronto. |
Silver cross fox (AaBb)
Silver cross foxes as cross foxes have the cross pattern seen in common cross foxes, however, unlike the average wild cross fox, they have less red markings and generally, have much more black on their fur. They also have a greater amount of silver highlights on their whole body - back, sides, shoulders and even face, hence the name silver cross fox. Their eyes are dark brown, hazel, orange or yellow and their nose, black. Picture source: Anticosti Photos. |
Golden cross fox (Aabb)
The golden cross fox, also known as gold cross fox, Alaskan cross or red cross fox, results from the mating of a specific type of silver fox, the Alaskan silver fox, with a common red fox. The resulting fox displays a much greater amount of red coloration on its body than the average cross fox would. The large amount of red is combined with silver highlights in the little areas where there still is black. Their feet and tail, as well as their belly and face, are black, while most of the rest of their body is red. Their eyes can be brown, hazel, yellow or orange and their nose, black. Picture source: Photobucket. |
Albino fox (AABBcc)
Albino foxes lack of melanin and therefore, appear white. Their nose is strictly pink, just like their skin in general, while their eyes can be either very light blue, white, pink or red. These foxes are a rare occurrence, both in the wild and in captivity. They generally have eyesight problems and are very prone to develop skin problems, that, without mentioning the fact that they are extremely at risk of being caught by predators or hunters due to their colour, which offers no possibility of camouflage. Picture source: Jan Skriver. |
Smokey fox (AABb)
Smokey foxes, or 'bastard foxes' are red foxes which exhibit more black on their fur than common red foxes. Rather than having a white chest and belly like red foxes, smokey red foxes have a black or grey chest and belly. Their red colour tends to either be darker red or a dilute orange. Their undercoat is dark grey or black. Their eyes are either brown, orange or yellow, just as for red foxes. These foxes can be seen not only in captivity, but in the wild as well (although in the wild, their red colour is dark red and not dilute). Picture source: Fox Paradox. |
Piebald fox
The piebald pattern can occur on any of the other wild mutations, as well as any of the captive-bred mutations. It is not specific to the red coloration only. Piebald foxes exhibit white spots or irregular white patterns on their fur, which can be either small and limited only to the tip of the feet, for example, just as they can be very large and cover half of the fox's body. It occurs randomly and can often be seen in populations of ranched foxes of man-made colour mutations (white 'socks' on their feet, white leg, white chest, white spot on belly). Picture source: RGS Wildlife Taxidermy |
Brown mutations
Cinnamon fox (AAbbgg or brCbrC)
Cinnamon foxes, also known as burgundy foxes or Fromm's brown, are brown mutants of a rich chocolate brown colour, often seen having silver highlights in the same areas a silver fox would normally have those highlights. These foxes are more saturated in colour than any of the other brown mutants. Their nose is brown and their eyes, either brown, orange, yellow or green. They are among the first brown red fox mutants to appear in the fur trade.
Picture by myself, of Pattie the 8 years old Cinnamon fox (2015).
Cinnamon foxes, also known as burgundy foxes or Fromm's brown, are brown mutants of a rich chocolate brown colour, often seen having silver highlights in the same areas a silver fox would normally have those highlights. These foxes are more saturated in colour than any of the other brown mutants. Their nose is brown and their eyes, either brown, orange, yellow or green. They are among the first brown red fox mutants to appear in the fur trade.
Picture by myself, of Pattie the 8 years old Cinnamon fox (2015).
Amber fox (AAbbggpp)
Amber foxes result of a combination between pearl foxes and cinnamon foxes. Amber foxes have a wide range of possible variations, from very light greyish brown to darker greyish brown. Some are richer coloured, and are more yellowish brown, while others are more on the greyish side. Their noses are either grey or red, and their eyes can be either green or greenish yellow.
Picture by myself, of Hunter, 2014.
Amber foxes result of a combination between pearl foxes and cinnamon foxes. Amber foxes have a wide range of possible variations, from very light greyish brown to darker greyish brown. Some are richer coloured, and are more yellowish brown, while others are more on the greyish side. Their noses are either grey or red, and their eyes can be either green or greenish yellow.
Picture by myself, of Hunter, 2014.
Lavender fox
The lavender fox is a rare mutation of the red fox whose genetic background is not yet fully understood. Their coat ranges from brown with a grey/blue tint to greyish-blue with a brown tint, similar to the fawn glow colour. True lavender foxes have blue eyes which can be either ice blue or blue with a purple tint, like the fox pictured here. Their nose is generally grey or blue, but can be reddish with a tint of grey/blue as well. Lavender foxes strongly resemble some fawn glow foxes or pale pastel foxes, but it's important to note that they are not the same.
Picture by Natasha Bolduc of Mystra.
The lavender fox is a rare mutation of the red fox whose genetic background is not yet fully understood. Their coat ranges from brown with a grey/blue tint to greyish-blue with a brown tint, similar to the fawn glow colour. True lavender foxes have blue eyes which can be either ice blue or blue with a purple tint, like the fox pictured here. Their nose is generally grey or blue, but can be reddish with a tint of grey/blue as well. Lavender foxes strongly resemble some fawn glow foxes or pale pastel foxes, but it's important to note that they are not the same.
Picture by Natasha Bolduc of Mystra.
Colicott fox (brFbrF)
Colicott foxes are a particular mutation, whose genetic difference from other brown fox mutations is not yet truly understood. Colicott foxes are generally dark brown, as dark as cinnamon foxes and even darker. They, however, have a very different shade of brown. Rather than being chocolate brown like cinnamon foxes, their colour is less saturated. If cinnamon foxes are chocolate milk, colicott foxes are dark chocolate. Their nose is generally either brown or reddish brown. What is particular with these foxes is the fact that, unlike the other brown mutants, they always have light blue eyes which almost appear white. They cannot have any other eye colour.
Picture source: Fox Wood Rehab Center.
Colicott foxes are a particular mutation, whose genetic difference from other brown fox mutations is not yet truly understood. Colicott foxes are generally dark brown, as dark as cinnamon foxes and even darker. They, however, have a very different shade of brown. Rather than being chocolate brown like cinnamon foxes, their colour is less saturated. If cinnamon foxes are chocolate milk, colicott foxes are dark chocolate. Their nose is generally either brown or reddish brown. What is particular with these foxes is the fact that, unlike the other brown mutants, they always have light blue eyes which almost appear white. They cannot have any other eye colour.
Picture source: Fox Wood Rehab Center.
Copper fox
(AAbbgg or brCbrC)
Chocolate fox
Copper Cinnamon fox
The Copper fox, also known as copper cinnamon fox or chocolate fox, is a brown mutant which has a particular trait: unlike other brown mutants, or other foxes in general, copper foxes don't have silver highlights. They strongly resemble cinnamon foxes, from which they were created. They are like what the black fox is to the silver fox: the same colour, but lacking all silver highlights, which gives the fox a very unique appearance. Their eyes are either brown, orange, yellow or green and their nose, always brown.
Picture by myself, at a fur farm in Canada.
(AAbbgg or brCbrC)
Chocolate fox
Copper Cinnamon fox
The Copper fox, also known as copper cinnamon fox or chocolate fox, is a brown mutant which has a particular trait: unlike other brown mutants, or other foxes in general, copper foxes don't have silver highlights. They strongly resemble cinnamon foxes, from which they were created. They are like what the black fox is to the silver fox: the same colour, but lacking all silver highlights, which gives the fox a very unique appearance. Their eyes are either brown, orange, yellow or green and their nose, always brown.
Picture by myself, at a fur farm in Canada.
Bollert's brown fox
Bollert's brown is a very rare colour mutation originating from Canada. It is thanks to it that the colour mutation ''dawn glow'' came to be. Bollert's brown foxes are described to have a tint somewhere between a cinnamon fox and an amber fox; rich coloured like the cinnamon, but paler like amber foxes and with a more yellowish/golden tint, like some amber foxes. Their noses are pink or light red and their eyes, either grey, pale green or pale yellow.
Picture source: Unknown - unsure if the taxidermy fox pictured is a Bollert's brown, but it is very similar and gives a good idea of what they look like (based on a pelt I saw in person).
Bollert's brown is a very rare colour mutation originating from Canada. It is thanks to it that the colour mutation ''dawn glow'' came to be. Bollert's brown foxes are described to have a tint somewhere between a cinnamon fox and an amber fox; rich coloured like the cinnamon, but paler like amber foxes and with a more yellowish/golden tint, like some amber foxes. Their noses are pink or light red and their eyes, either grey, pale green or pale yellow.
Picture source: Unknown - unsure if the taxidermy fox pictured is a Bollert's brown, but it is very similar and gives a good idea of what they look like (based on a pelt I saw in person).
Pastel fox
Pastel foxes are originate from different countries in Europe. Their colour varies from one fox to another, from a dilute brown (often labeled as lavender or red amber) to a very dark brown. Their nose colour matches the colour of their fur; if their fur is dark brown, their nose will be too. If their fur is pale brown, almost amber-like, so will be their nose. Pastel foxes' eyes also match the coloration of their fur, in most cases. Darker individuals will have brown eyes or yellow eyes, while paler ones will have green eyes or even blue eyes. However, there are dark pastels with blue eyes. Those foxes appear almost identical to colicott foxes. There are 3 types of pastel foxes: the Swedish, the Polish (extra dark brown) and the Norwegian pastel.
Picture source: P. Bielanski
Pastel foxes are originate from different countries in Europe. Their colour varies from one fox to another, from a dilute brown (often labeled as lavender or red amber) to a very dark brown. Their nose colour matches the colour of their fur; if their fur is dark brown, their nose will be too. If their fur is pale brown, almost amber-like, so will be their nose. Pastel foxes' eyes also match the coloration of their fur, in most cases. Darker individuals will have brown eyes or yellow eyes, while paler ones will have green eyes or even blue eyes. However, there are dark pastels with blue eyes. Those foxes appear almost identical to colicott foxes. There are 3 types of pastel foxes: the Swedish, the Polish (extra dark brown) and the Norwegian pastel.
Picture source: P. Bielanski
Dawn glow fox
Dawn glow foxes originate from Bollert's farm in ON, Canada. They are created from the breeding of the rare Bollert's brown fox with a pearl fox. Dawn glow foxes's eyes are generally pink, blue or greenish yellow, and their nose, pink or pale red. Their fur varies from light golden-brown to a pale beige, almost indistinguishable from champagne foxes. Dawn glow foxes are extremely rare, and most pelts labeled as dawn glows which can be seen online turn up to simply be pale amber foxes or champagnes.
Pictures source: fur farm in Canada. Pelt picture (example of light dawn glows): M. Bollert, creator of the colour.
Dawn glow foxes originate from Bollert's farm in ON, Canada. They are created from the breeding of the rare Bollert's brown fox with a pearl fox. Dawn glow foxes's eyes are generally pink, blue or greenish yellow, and their nose, pink or pale red. Their fur varies from light golden-brown to a pale beige, almost indistinguishable from champagne foxes. Dawn glow foxes are extremely rare, and most pelts labeled as dawn glows which can be seen online turn up to simply be pale amber foxes or champagnes.
Pictures source: fur farm in Canada. Pelt picture (example of light dawn glows): M. Bollert, creator of the colour.
Champagne fox
Champagne foxes, sometimes called 'pink foxes' or 'champaign pink foxes', originate from Quebec where they first appeared in the 1970's. These foxes are an extremely pale golden with pink and peach-orange highlights on their back, tail and sometimes forehead. Despite how light they are, they still have a white tipped tail, just like all mutations of the red fox do. Their eyes are exclusively blue, but can appear yellow or red in natural daylight, depending on the angle in which the sunlight hits their eyes. Their noses are bright pink. These foxes have, like all mutants with pale eyes (blue, grey, light green) a deficiency in storing calcium. They require a supplement of calcium and of vitamin D in order to properly store the calcium in their body.
Picture by myself, of my baby Miko, 2013.
Champagne foxes, sometimes called 'pink foxes' or 'champaign pink foxes', originate from Quebec where they first appeared in the 1970's. These foxes are an extremely pale golden with pink and peach-orange highlights on their back, tail and sometimes forehead. Despite how light they are, they still have a white tipped tail, just like all mutations of the red fox do. Their eyes are exclusively blue, but can appear yellow or red in natural daylight, depending on the angle in which the sunlight hits their eyes. Their noses are bright pink. These foxes have, like all mutants with pale eyes (blue, grey, light green) a deficiency in storing calcium. They require a supplement of calcium and of vitamin D in order to properly store the calcium in their body.
Picture by myself, of my baby Miko, 2013.
Polish beige fox
The Polish beige fox is a rare mutation whose genetic background is not yet fully understood. Polish beige foxes's colour is a pale beige foxes with a very unique blue/grey tint. Their nose is said to follow the same colour as their fur, thus a pale beige/brown with grey tints, or grey with a beige/brown tint. Their eyes are either green, yellow or blue.
The Polish beige fox is a rare mutation whose genetic background is not yet fully understood. Polish beige foxes's colour is a pale beige foxes with a very unique blue/grey tint. Their nose is said to follow the same colour as their fur, thus a pale beige/brown with grey tints, or grey with a beige/brown tint. Their eyes are either green, yellow or blue.
Red mutations
Cherry red fox
The cherry red fox is a variation of the natural orange colour of the Vulpes vulpes. Cherry red foxes have a coat colour varying between reddish-orange to dark red, sometimes even blood red. Breeders often select for the blood-red colouration, as it is the most desired look for the cherry red foxes, in the fur industry. Unlike common red foxes, who have white or yellow fur inside of their ears, cherry red foxes have dark red fur in their ears. Their chest and belly are white, like a common red fox's. Their eyes are usually yellow, but they can be brown or, in rare cases, orange. Their nose is always black.
Additional pictures of cherry red foxes here (Thor) and here.
Picture source: Svetlana Razina.
The cherry red fox is a variation of the natural orange colour of the Vulpes vulpes. Cherry red foxes have a coat colour varying between reddish-orange to dark red, sometimes even blood red. Breeders often select for the blood-red colouration, as it is the most desired look for the cherry red foxes, in the fur industry. Unlike common red foxes, who have white or yellow fur inside of their ears, cherry red foxes have dark red fur in their ears. Their chest and belly are white, like a common red fox's. Their eyes are usually yellow, but they can be brown or, in rare cases, orange. Their nose is always black.
Additional pictures of cherry red foxes here (Thor) and here.
Picture source: Svetlana Razina.
Grey mutations
Pearl fox (AAbbpp)
Pearl foxes (and all their types, excluding the Mansfield pearl and the pearl amber fox) are very common foxes displaying a grey coloration ranging from lighter grey to a dark grey that is similar to common silver foxes. These foxes were consistently bred in Europe after initially being culled in the United States, where they first appeared in Minnesota in 1942. Their eyes are generally yellow or green, but can be brown or grey, too. Their noses are either grey or reddish-grey. Pearl foxes are a 'key element' in the creation of many other colour mutations, since the pearl gene is dilution gene.
Picture source: Nick Botner.
Pearl foxes (and all their types, excluding the Mansfield pearl and the pearl amber fox) are very common foxes displaying a grey coloration ranging from lighter grey to a dark grey that is similar to common silver foxes. These foxes were consistently bred in Europe after initially being culled in the United States, where they first appeared in Minnesota in 1942. Their eyes are generally yellow or green, but can be brown or grey, too. Their noses are either grey or reddish-grey. Pearl foxes are a 'key element' in the creation of many other colour mutations, since the pearl gene is dilution gene.
Picture source: Nick Botner.
Fawn glow fox
Fawn glow foxes, also known as snow dawn foxes, are sometimes confused with pearl foxes, lavender foxes, colicott foxes or amber foxes. Their fur is grey, noticeably lighter than that of the average pearl, and possesses a unique blueish-brown tint which makes it easy to distinguish from a true pale pearl fox. Some have more brown highlights, others more blueish ones, but the foxes themselves remain, however, very light grey, regardless of whether the dominant colour of the highlights on their fur is blue or brown. These stunning foxes have blue eyes, which, depending from which angle the sunlight hits them, can appear yellow or pink. Their noses are either bright pink, reddish-grey or reddish-brown.
Picture by myself, Quebec fur farm.
Fawn glow foxes, also known as snow dawn foxes, are sometimes confused with pearl foxes, lavender foxes, colicott foxes or amber foxes. Their fur is grey, noticeably lighter than that of the average pearl, and possesses a unique blueish-brown tint which makes it easy to distinguish from a true pale pearl fox. Some have more brown highlights, others more blueish ones, but the foxes themselves remain, however, very light grey, regardless of whether the dominant colour of the highlights on their fur is blue or brown. These stunning foxes have blue eyes, which, depending from which angle the sunlight hits them, can appear yellow or pink. Their noses are either bright pink, reddish-grey or reddish-brown.
Picture by myself, Quebec fur farm.
Mansfield pearl fox (AAbbss)
Mansfield pearl is a distinct type of pearl, not to be confused with the common pearl (also known as Eastern pearl or Western pearl). Mansfield pearl foxes originating from a Canadian fur farm in 1938, differ from the first type of pearls by the fact that their fur, rather than just being grey, has a brownish tint to it. Mansfield pearl foxes have grey or reddish-grey noses, with either brown, yellow, green or grey eyes. These foxes are known to be hemophiliacs, meaning that they bleed easily and coagulate very slowly, which makes them fragile as any little cut or bite could potentially make them bleed to death. They have the Chediak-Hygashi syndrome, which is also seen in mink, humans and several other species. Due to this, it is recommended to breed a female silver carrier of "ss" to a male Mansfield pearl fox, as a Mansfield pearl female would bleed to death after giving birth to her kits.
Picture source: Fox Paradox.
Mansfield pearl is a distinct type of pearl, not to be confused with the common pearl (also known as Eastern pearl or Western pearl). Mansfield pearl foxes originating from a Canadian fur farm in 1938, differ from the first type of pearls by the fact that their fur, rather than just being grey, has a brownish tint to it. Mansfield pearl foxes have grey or reddish-grey noses, with either brown, yellow, green or grey eyes. These foxes are known to be hemophiliacs, meaning that they bleed easily and coagulate very slowly, which makes them fragile as any little cut or bite could potentially make them bleed to death. They have the Chediak-Hygashi syndrome, which is also seen in mink, humans and several other species. Due to this, it is recommended to breed a female silver carrier of "ss" to a male Mansfield pearl fox, as a Mansfield pearl female would bleed to death after giving birth to her kits.
Picture source: Fox Paradox.
Iris blue fox
The Iris blue fox is a rare mutation whose genetic background is not yet fully understood. Iris blue foxes strongly resemble silver foxes or dark pearl foxes, in the fact that their colour is dark, too. However, the resemblance stops there. Iris blue foxes have a very unique and distinct dark blue tint to their fur. It is a blue tint that is very different from the sapphire's or the fawn glow's. Their eyes are either yellow, brown, orange or blue and their nose, black or dark blue, the same kind of blue as their coat.
Picture source: Wazername. Taxidermy mount.
Pearl amber fox
(AAbbggppss)
The pearl amber fox, also known as sapphire amber or pearl sapphire fox, is the rare result of combining the burgundy gene to the two, previously mentioned, pearl types (common pearl and Mansfield pearl). Pearl amber foxes are also known as sapphire amber foxes although they share a striking resemblance to fawn glow foxes rather than to sapphires. They generally have a dark grey or greyish-brown nose, with either blue, yellow, greenish-yellow or green eyes. Brown eyes are not excluded, either.
Picture source: Fox Paradox.
(AAbbggppss)
The pearl amber fox, also known as sapphire amber or pearl sapphire fox, is the rare result of combining the burgundy gene to the two, previously mentioned, pearl types (common pearl and Mansfield pearl). Pearl amber foxes are also known as sapphire amber foxes although they share a striking resemblance to fawn glow foxes rather than to sapphires. They generally have a dark grey or greyish-brown nose, with either blue, yellow, greenish-yellow or green eyes. Brown eyes are not excluded, either.
Picture source: Fox Paradox.
Sapphire fox (AAbbppss)
Sapphire foxes are the result of the combination of two distinct types of pearl (Eastern pearl and Mansfield pearl). Sapphire foxes are extremely rare and difficult to produce (1/64 chances to obtain a sapphire fox when crossing the two types of pearl together), due to the rarity of Mansfield pearl foxes needed to produce them. They are a very light blueish-grey, with grey or pinkish-grey noses. Their eyes are generally blue or very light yellow, but can be grey or brown, too. The most noticeable characteristic of these foxes is their unique, light blue coloration, which only adds to the beauty of the fox.
Picture source: Stan Honey Thief from Beautiful Fur Animals and Their Colour Genetics. Small picture of sapphire fox pelt taken by myself.
Sapphire foxes are the result of the combination of two distinct types of pearl (Eastern pearl and Mansfield pearl). Sapphire foxes are extremely rare and difficult to produce (1/64 chances to obtain a sapphire fox when crossing the two types of pearl together), due to the rarity of Mansfield pearl foxes needed to produce them. They are a very light blueish-grey, with grey or pinkish-grey noses. Their eyes are generally blue or very light yellow, but can be grey or brown, too. The most noticeable characteristic of these foxes is their unique, light blue coloration, which only adds to the beauty of the fox.
Picture source: Stan Honey Thief from Beautiful Fur Animals and Their Colour Genetics. Small picture of sapphire fox pelt taken by myself.
Colicott champagne fox
Marble mutations
Take note that these are not the only marble types that exist or that can exist. Any solid colour, be it silver, red, cinnamon, pastel, cross types, sapphire, and so on, can have a marble variation of it. However, the following types I will present are the ones that have been documented to exist. I assume that other types of marble may have existed/exist right now, but have not yet been documented, therefore will not be included on the website.
Marble fox (AAbbWMw)
Marble foxes are very common in the pet trade. They are predominantly white with a, usually, ''crown-shaped'' black pattern on the forehead, although the facial pattern can take any shape and also appear like a mask (when it covers the eyes too), black contouring of the ears and eyes and a black stripe, sometimes very narrow, other times, very large, going from their shoulders to either the end of their back or halfway on their tail. Their nose are only black and their eyes, brown, orange or yellow. Marble foxes are also known as ''arctic marble foxes'' (not to confuse with arctic foxes, Vulpes lagopus) or ''silver marble foxes''.
Picture source: Valérie Comtois, of Riku, 2013.
Marble foxes are very common in the pet trade. They are predominantly white with a, usually, ''crown-shaped'' black pattern on the forehead, although the facial pattern can take any shape and also appear like a mask (when it covers the eyes too), black contouring of the ears and eyes and a black stripe, sometimes very narrow, other times, very large, going from their shoulders to either the end of their back or halfway on their tail. Their nose are only black and their eyes, brown, orange or yellow. Marble foxes are also known as ''arctic marble foxes'' (not to confuse with arctic foxes, Vulpes lagopus) or ''silver marble foxes''.
Picture source: Valérie Comtois, of Riku, 2013.
Red marble fox (AABBWMw or AABbWMw)
Red marble foxes, also known as ''sun glows'', which is their marketing name, are predominantly white with a crown or mask pattern on their forehead that can vary from light, faded orange to vivid red, a narrow or very large orange stripe that goes from their shoulders down to their elbows and all the way back to their tail, and generally, a black stripe on their tail. Red marble foxes have black noses and eyes that are either yellow, orange or deep brown. The intensity of their orange colour is variable from one individual to another.
Picture source: Emma Savannah, of Noki, 2014.
Red marble foxes, also known as ''sun glows'', which is their marketing name, are predominantly white with a crown or mask pattern on their forehead that can vary from light, faded orange to vivid red, a narrow or very large orange stripe that goes from their shoulders down to their elbows and all the way back to their tail, and generally, a black stripe on their tail. Red marble foxes have black noses and eyes that are either yellow, orange or deep brown. The intensity of their orange colour is variable from one individual to another.
Picture source: Emma Savannah, of Noki, 2014.
White marble fox
(AaBBWMWM, AAbbWMWM, AABbWMWM, AABBWMWM, ggWMWM, ggppWMWM, ppWMWM, etc.)
White marble foxes, which are also known as ''all-white marble foxes'', appear to be completely white, with the exception of some spots on their ears and some 'eyeliner' around their eyes. Their noses can be black, brown, grey, pink... depending on what kind of white marble it is (for example, if it is a pearl white marble, the nose will be grey and the eyes, yellow or green). Their eyes also vary, once again, depending on what kind of white marble they are. If they are amber white marble, their eyes can be green or yellow. If they're champagne, their eyes will be blue. And so on... The colour spots only appear as they mature and are not present when the fox is born.
Picture source: Les Voyageurs Fauches, white marble fox I sold to Omega Park.
(AaBBWMWM, AAbbWMWM, AABbWMWM, AABBWMWM, ggWMWM, ggppWMWM, ppWMWM, etc.)
White marble foxes, which are also known as ''all-white marble foxes'', appear to be completely white, with the exception of some spots on their ears and some 'eyeliner' around their eyes. Their noses can be black, brown, grey, pink... depending on what kind of white marble it is (for example, if it is a pearl white marble, the nose will be grey and the eyes, yellow or green). Their eyes also vary, once again, depending on what kind of white marble they are. If they are amber white marble, their eyes can be green or yellow. If they're champagne, their eyes will be blue. And so on... The colour spots only appear as they mature and are not present when the fox is born.
Picture source: Les Voyageurs Fauches, white marble fox I sold to Omega Park.
Champagne marble fox
Champagne marble foxes were first developed in Quebec, Canada. They are predominantly white, as are all marble types, with a crown or mask pattern on their forehead that is champagne-coloured, a narrow or large pinkish-beige stripe starting from their shoulders and going all the way down their back to their tail and a pink nose, paired with the blue eyes of champagne foxes.
Picture source: Fur farm in Canada.
Champagne marble foxes were first developed in Quebec, Canada. They are predominantly white, as are all marble types, with a crown or mask pattern on their forehead that is champagne-coloured, a narrow or large pinkish-beige stripe starting from their shoulders and going all the way down their back to their tail and a pink nose, paired with the blue eyes of champagne foxes.
Picture source: Fur farm in Canada.
Cinnamon gold marble fox
Burgundy gold marble fox
Burgundy red marble fox
Cinnamon red marble fox
(AABbggWMw)
The cinnamon gold marble fox, also known as the burgundy red marble fox, burgundy gold marble fox or cinnamon red marble fox, is a rare colour mutation first developed in Ontario out of a burgundy vixen and a fire and ice marble sire. There were 5 kits in the litter: two burgundy gold kits, one burgundy fire kit and two burgundy/cinnamon gold marble kits. Cinnamon gold marble foxes are predominantly white, as are all marble types, with a crown or mask pattern on their face and a narrow or large stripe going from their shoulders to their tail. Those markings on their face, back and tail are, against all odds, not chocolate-coloured like you'd think they'd be for a cinnamon fox. Instead, they are a very pale golden-brown colour, similar to the colour of an autumn gold fox. Their nose is generally pale brown or reddish-brown and their eyes, a very pale yellow, greenish yellow or green.
Picture source: Silver Fox News, July-August 1968 edition.
Burgundy gold marble fox
Burgundy red marble fox
Cinnamon red marble fox
(AABbggWMw)
The cinnamon gold marble fox, also known as the burgundy red marble fox, burgundy gold marble fox or cinnamon red marble fox, is a rare colour mutation first developed in Ontario out of a burgundy vixen and a fire and ice marble sire. There were 5 kits in the litter: two burgundy gold kits, one burgundy fire kit and two burgundy/cinnamon gold marble kits. Cinnamon gold marble foxes are predominantly white, as are all marble types, with a crown or mask pattern on their face and a narrow or large stripe going from their shoulders to their tail. Those markings on their face, back and tail are, against all odds, not chocolate-coloured like you'd think they'd be for a cinnamon fox. Instead, they are a very pale golden-brown colour, similar to the colour of an autumn gold fox. Their nose is generally pale brown or reddish-brown and their eyes, a very pale yellow, greenish yellow or green.
Picture source: Silver Fox News, July-August 1968 edition.
Colicott marble fox
(brFbrFWMw)
Colicott marble foxes, not to be mistaken for burgundy marble foxes, lavender marble foxes or amber marble foxes, are predominantly white with an light brown-coloured crown or facial pattern, light brown-coloured ear contouring and a narrow or large pale brown stripe going from their shoulders to their elbows and all the way down their back, finally stopping in the middle of their tail. Their nose is either pale brown or reddish-brown, paired with blue eyes. Colicott marble foxes share an identical colour with amber marble foxes, however, they can be told apart by their eyes: colicott marble foxes can only have blue eyes, whereas amber marble foxes never have blue eyes, only yellow, green, brown or greenish-yellow eyes.
Picture source: Fur farm in Canada.
(brFbrFWMw)
Colicott marble foxes, not to be mistaken for burgundy marble foxes, lavender marble foxes or amber marble foxes, are predominantly white with an light brown-coloured crown or facial pattern, light brown-coloured ear contouring and a narrow or large pale brown stripe going from their shoulders to their elbows and all the way down their back, finally stopping in the middle of their tail. Their nose is either pale brown or reddish-brown, paired with blue eyes. Colicott marble foxes share an identical colour with amber marble foxes, however, they can be told apart by their eyes: colicott marble foxes can only have blue eyes, whereas amber marble foxes never have blue eyes, only yellow, green, brown or greenish-yellow eyes.
Picture source: Fur farm in Canada.
Pearl cross marble fox
(AaBbppWMw, AaBBppWMw, AaBBssWMw or AaBbssWMw)
Pearl cross marble foxes are the result of a silver marble fox bred to a pearl cross fox. The offspring are predominantly white and have the marble pattern (facial mask, large or narrow stripe from their shoulders to their tail, and down to their elbows too). The difference is that their pattern is exactly the same colour of a pearl cross fox, but with the white of the marble fox combined. The result is a tri-coloured fox: grey/pearl, orange and white. Their nose is grey or reddish-brown and their eyes are either green, yellow, brown or grey.
Picture Source: Micky Janicek, of Ziggy. Used with permission.
(AaBbppWMw, AaBBppWMw, AaBBssWMw or AaBbssWMw)
Pearl cross marble foxes are the result of a silver marble fox bred to a pearl cross fox. The offspring are predominantly white and have the marble pattern (facial mask, large or narrow stripe from their shoulders to their tail, and down to their elbows too). The difference is that their pattern is exactly the same colour of a pearl cross fox, but with the white of the marble fox combined. The result is a tri-coloured fox: grey/pearl, orange and white. Their nose is grey or reddish-brown and their eyes are either green, yellow, brown or grey.
Picture Source: Micky Janicek, of Ziggy. Used with permission.
Amber marble fox
(AAbbggppWMw)
Amber marble foxes, also known as amber glo foxes, are predominantly white with a light brown-coloured mark or facial pattern, contour of the ears and eyes and a large stripe, also light brown-coloured, going down their back, from their shoulders and all the way to the middle of their tail. Their nose is brown or reddish brown and their eyes, yellow, brown, green or greenish-yellow. Although they have the same colour as colicott marble foxes, they can be told apart from their eyes: amber marble foxes never have blue eyes, whereas colicott marble foxes can only have blue eyes.
Picture source: Monty Sloan, Wolfpark.
(AAbbggppWMw)
Amber marble foxes, also known as amber glo foxes, are predominantly white with a light brown-coloured mark or facial pattern, contour of the ears and eyes and a large stripe, also light brown-coloured, going down their back, from their shoulders and all the way to the middle of their tail. Their nose is brown or reddish brown and their eyes, yellow, brown, green or greenish-yellow. Although they have the same colour as colicott marble foxes, they can be told apart from their eyes: amber marble foxes never have blue eyes, whereas colicott marble foxes can only have blue eyes.
Picture source: Monty Sloan, Wolfpark.
Cinnamon marble fox
Burgundy marble fox
(AAbbggWMw or brCbrCWMw)
Cinnamon marble foxes, also known as burgundy marble foxes or burgundy glo foxes, are predominantly white foxes with a chocolate-coloured mask or facial pattern, a rich brown ear and eye contouring and a large or very narrow vivid brown stripe going down their back, from their shoulders to their tail. Their nose is either chocolate brown or reddish-brown, and their eyes, generally yellow, brown, orange, and occasionally green. Although they look similar to colicott and amber marble foxes, they can be told apart by the drastically darker and richer tone of their brown markings.
Picture source: Dreamfoxes Vulpes Vulpes.
Burgundy marble fox
(AAbbggWMw or brCbrCWMw)
Cinnamon marble foxes, also known as burgundy marble foxes or burgundy glo foxes, are predominantly white foxes with a chocolate-coloured mask or facial pattern, a rich brown ear and eye contouring and a large or very narrow vivid brown stripe going down their back, from their shoulders to their tail. Their nose is either chocolate brown or reddish-brown, and their eyes, generally yellow, brown, orange, and occasionally green. Although they look similar to colicott and amber marble foxes, they can be told apart by the drastically darker and richer tone of their brown markings.
Picture source: Dreamfoxes Vulpes Vulpes.
Cross marble fox (AaBbWMw or AaBBWMw)
Cross marble foxes are the result of a silver marble fox bred to a cross fox. The offspring are predominantly white and have the marble pattern (facial mask, large or narrow stripe from their shoulders to their tail, and down to their elbows too). The difference is that their pattern is exactly that of a cross fox, but with the white of the marble fox combined. The result is a tri-coloured fox: black, orange and white. Their nose is black and their eyes are either yellow, brown, orange or green.
Picture source: Frazier Farms Exotics, of their fox Sabrina, used with permission.
Cross marble foxes are the result of a silver marble fox bred to a cross fox. The offspring are predominantly white and have the marble pattern (facial mask, large or narrow stripe from their shoulders to their tail, and down to their elbows too). The difference is that their pattern is exactly that of a cross fox, but with the white of the marble fox combined. The result is a tri-coloured fox: black, orange and white. Their nose is black and their eyes are either yellow, brown, orange or green.
Picture source: Frazier Farms Exotics, of their fox Sabrina, used with permission.
Pearl marble fox
(AAbbppWMw or AAbbssWMw)
Pearl marble foxes are predominantly white with grey markings on the forehead, cheeks and back. The line on their back can be narrow or large, and can cover a part of the tail, too. Their eyes are usually yellow, green or grey. Their noses are grey or reddish-grey.
Picture source: Fox Moon Farms, fox sanctuary in Indiana.
Marble platinum fox
(AaBbWMWP, AaBBWMWP, AAbbWMWP, AABbWMWP, AABBWMWP)
Marble platinum foxes, or 'platina-marble foxes', are the result of a breeding between a marble type of fox and a platinum type of fox. The result is a fox with, sometimes, the facial mask of a platinum fox, other times, with only the 'crown' seen in marbles but with, otherwise, the pattern of a marble fox (on the tail). The markings are not present on their back; only on the tail and on the face. The colour is also very much washed out, leaving the fox with very pale markings and patterns. Because of the large possibilities of pairings (platinum red x pearl marble, platinum cinnamon x silver marble, etc.) the colours of the patterns can be washed out orange, brown, amber, grey, and basically any colour that can exist on a platinum type and a marble type.
Picture source: CRAAQ, Élevage du renard (copy I own of the book).
(AaBbWMWP, AaBBWMWP, AAbbWMWP, AABbWMWP, AABBWMWP)
Marble platinum foxes, or 'platina-marble foxes', are the result of a breeding between a marble type of fox and a platinum type of fox. The result is a fox with, sometimes, the facial mask of a platinum fox, other times, with only the 'crown' seen in marbles but with, otherwise, the pattern of a marble fox (on the tail). The markings are not present on their back; only on the tail and on the face. The colour is also very much washed out, leaving the fox with very pale markings and patterns. Because of the large possibilities of pairings (platinum red x pearl marble, platinum cinnamon x silver marble, etc.) the colours of the patterns can be washed out orange, brown, amber, grey, and basically any colour that can exist on a platinum type and a marble type.
Picture source: CRAAQ, Élevage du renard (copy I own of the book).
Georgian mutations
Just as with marble foxes, Georgian types can most definitely come in any solid colour mutation that exists. However, Georgian white, Georgian red and Georgian brown are the only three documented at this time.
Georgian white fox (AAbbWGw)
Georgian white foxes are, so to say, the Russian version of the silver marble fox. They are almost completely white, with black ears, randomly distributed black spots on their feet, muzzle and face, and black spots distributed in a 'line formation' from their shoulders to their tail. They may or may not have black eye contouring. Sometimes, they only have it for one eye. The distribution of the spots and patches they have do not seem to follow any kind of rule. Their nose is black and their eyes are most commonly either dark brown or brownish-orange.
Picture source: Fox Paradox.
Georgian white foxes are, so to say, the Russian version of the silver marble fox. They are almost completely white, with black ears, randomly distributed black spots on their feet, muzzle and face, and black spots distributed in a 'line formation' from their shoulders to their tail. They may or may not have black eye contouring. Sometimes, they only have it for one eye. The distribution of the spots and patches they have do not seem to follow any kind of rule. Their nose is black and their eyes are most commonly either dark brown or brownish-orange.
Picture source: Fox Paradox.
Georgian red fox (AABBWGw or AABbWGw)
Georgian red foxes are simply the red version of common Georgian white foxes. They, too, are almost fully white, with orange ears, randomly distributed orange and black spots on their feet, muzzle, face and back of the ears, as well as a line of orange and black spots, which sometimes appear to be merged into each other, going from the shoulders to the tail. Contrary to the marble types, the line on the back of the Georgians is always narrow, and cannot be large and go down to the elbows like for marbles. The eyes of Georgian red foxes are most commonly dark brown or brownish-orange, sometimes yellow. Their nose is black.
Picture source: Nika Petrova.
Georgian red foxes are simply the red version of common Georgian white foxes. They, too, are almost fully white, with orange ears, randomly distributed orange and black spots on their feet, muzzle, face and back of the ears, as well as a line of orange and black spots, which sometimes appear to be merged into each other, going from the shoulders to the tail. Contrary to the marble types, the line on the back of the Georgians is always narrow, and cannot be large and go down to the elbows like for marbles. The eyes of Georgian red foxes are most commonly dark brown or brownish-orange, sometimes yellow. Their nose is black.
Picture source: Nika Petrova.
Georgian brown fox (AAbbggWGw)
Georgian brown foxes are identical to georgian white and georgian red foxes: they are mostly white, with spots on their feet, muzzle, face, several spots forming a stripe down their back and contouring of the eyes. However, rather than being red or black, they are a rich chocolate brown, identical to the colour of cinnamon foxes. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate the only picture I had found of a Georgian brown fox, but the description can give a good idea of what they look like. Their eyes are brown or yellow, and their nose is brown or reddish-brown.
Georgian brown foxes are identical to georgian white and georgian red foxes: they are mostly white, with spots on their feet, muzzle, face, several spots forming a stripe down their back and contouring of the eyes. However, rather than being red or black, they are a rich chocolate brown, identical to the colour of cinnamon foxes. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate the only picture I had found of a Georgian brown fox, but the description can give a good idea of what they look like. Their eyes are brown or yellow, and their nose is brown or reddish-brown.
Fire factor mutations
Fire and ice fox
(AaBBpp or AaBbpp + fire factor)
Fire and ice foxes have a very light, pretty, dilute colour. The dominant colour on their coat is a light golden beige colour, which can vary from extremely light beige (similar to champagne) to a lighter reddish tint, and is caused by the fire gene, which is known to dilute red melanin and yellow melanin. Their feet, ears and tail are grey, like the colour of a pearl fox, as pearl is involved in the making of fire and ice foxes and is known to dilute black melanin. Their eyes can be yellow, amber, brown or green and their nose can be either grey, a reddish-grey colour or black.
Follow Rocket here, a lovely fire and ice fox owned by Katie Mayercik!
Picture source: CRAAQ, Élevage du renard (copy I own of the book).
(AaBBpp or AaBbpp + fire factor)
Fire and ice foxes have a very light, pretty, dilute colour. The dominant colour on their coat is a light golden beige colour, which can vary from extremely light beige (similar to champagne) to a lighter reddish tint, and is caused by the fire gene, which is known to dilute red melanin and yellow melanin. Their feet, ears and tail are grey, like the colour of a pearl fox, as pearl is involved in the making of fire and ice foxes and is known to dilute black melanin. Their eyes can be yellow, amber, brown or green and their nose can be either grey, a reddish-grey colour or black.
Follow Rocket here, a lovely fire and ice fox owned by Katie Mayercik!
Picture source: CRAAQ, Élevage du renard (copy I own of the book).
Autumn fire fox (AABbppgg + fire factor)
Autumn fire foxes closely resemble fire and ice foxes. Just like fire and ice foxes, the dominant colour on autumn fire foxes is a golden beige, which covers the same areas of the body which would be covered on a fire and ice fox. However, rather than having grey ears, tail and feet like fire and ice foxes, autumn fire foxes have them coloured in brown (amber). Their eyes can be yellow, brown or green and their nose, reddish-brown, red, or brown.
Picture source: US Fox Shippers Council.
Autumn fire foxes closely resemble fire and ice foxes. Just like fire and ice foxes, the dominant colour on autumn fire foxes is a golden beige, which covers the same areas of the body which would be covered on a fire and ice fox. However, rather than having grey ears, tail and feet like fire and ice foxes, autumn fire foxes have them coloured in brown (amber). Their eyes can be yellow, brown or green and their nose, reddish-brown, red, or brown.
Picture source: US Fox Shippers Council.
Snow glow fox
(AABBpp, AABBppgg, AABBgg, AABbpp, AABbppgg, AABbgg + fire factor)
Snow glow foxes are unique looking foxes. Their dominant colour is either white (which is most commonly seen) or pale golden beige, a beige very similar to fire and ice foxes or champagne foxes. Depending on whether the parents were pearl foxes or colicott foxes, snow glow foxes will either have grey (pearl colour) or brown (similar to cinnamon colour) feet, ears and guard hairs on their tail. Their eyes can vary from being green, blue, a pale blue/green combination, light yellow, brown or grey. Their nose, depending on what colour their parents were, can be either grey, reddish-grey, black, brown, reddish-brown or pink.
Picture source: Stan Honey Thief, from Beautiful Fur Animals and Their Colour Genetics.
(AABBpp, AABBppgg, AABBgg, AABbpp, AABbppgg, AABbgg + fire factor)
Snow glow foxes are unique looking foxes. Their dominant colour is either white (which is most commonly seen) or pale golden beige, a beige very similar to fire and ice foxes or champagne foxes. Depending on whether the parents were pearl foxes or colicott foxes, snow glow foxes will either have grey (pearl colour) or brown (similar to cinnamon colour) feet, ears and guard hairs on their tail. Their eyes can vary from being green, blue, a pale blue/green combination, light yellow, brown or grey. Their nose, depending on what colour their parents were, can be either grey, reddish-grey, black, brown, reddish-brown or pink.
Picture source: Stan Honey Thief, from Beautiful Fur Animals and Their Colour Genetics.
Moon glow fox
(AaBbpp or AaBBpp + fire factor)
Moon glow foxes, also known as arctic fire or white cross, result from the mating of a pearl cross fox (pearl causing the dilution) with a fire factor type fox. They have the typical cross markings on the sides and on the forehead, which can be either a pale golden beige or pure white. The individuals with pure white cross markings are those labeled as white cross foxes. The rest of the fox's body (muzzle and a bit of the face, ears, tail, belly, feet and the back) is grey, the same as seen in pearl foxes. Their nose can be either black, grey or reddish-grey and their eyes can come in yellow, brown, green or appear grey.
Note: They are also part of the fire factor mutations but I prefered listing them as cross mutations, since they are referred to as white cross foxes.
Picture source: Northern Myst Creations.
(AaBbpp or AaBBpp + fire factor)
Moon glow foxes, also known as arctic fire or white cross, result from the mating of a pearl cross fox (pearl causing the dilution) with a fire factor type fox. They have the typical cross markings on the sides and on the forehead, which can be either a pale golden beige or pure white. The individuals with pure white cross markings are those labeled as white cross foxes. The rest of the fox's body (muzzle and a bit of the face, ears, tail, belly, feet and the back) is grey, the same as seen in pearl foxes. Their nose can be either black, grey or reddish-grey and their eyes can come in yellow, brown, green or appear grey.
Note: They are also part of the fire factor mutations but I prefered listing them as cross mutations, since they are referred to as white cross foxes.
Picture source: Northern Myst Creations.
Golden sunrise fox
(AABb combined with the fire factor)
Golden sunrise foxes are gold foxes combined with the fire factor. They are paler than a wild red, and sometimes paler than wildfire foxes too, with a very light orange coloration. Their feet, ears, nose, muzzle and tail are black, and their eyes, brown, orange or yellow.
Picture source: Northern Myst Creations
(AABb combined with the fire factor)
Golden sunrise foxes are gold foxes combined with the fire factor. They are paler than a wild red, and sometimes paler than wildfire foxes too, with a very light orange coloration. Their feet, ears, nose, muzzle and tail are black, and their eyes, brown, orange or yellow.
Picture source: Northern Myst Creations
Cinnamon fire fox
Burgundy fire fox
(AABbgg + fire factor)
Burgundy fire fox
(AABbgg + fire factor)
Wildfire fox
(AABB combined with the fire factor)
Wildfire foxes are the result of a combination between a red fox and the fire factor, which causes dilution of the red coloration. Wildfire foxes have black feet, black ears, a black tail and black markings around the muzzle, but the rest of their body is pale orange. They are very similar in appearance to the golden sunrise foxes which are the result of a gold fox combined to the fire factor. Wildfire foxes have a black nose and can have either orange, brown, hazel or yellow eyes.
Picture source: US Fox Shippers Council, from the book ''Beautiful Fur Animals and Their Colour Genetics".
(AABB combined with the fire factor)
Wildfire foxes are the result of a combination between a red fox and the fire factor, which causes dilution of the red coloration. Wildfire foxes have black feet, black ears, a black tail and black markings around the muzzle, but the rest of their body is pale orange. They are very similar in appearance to the golden sunrise foxes which are the result of a gold fox combined to the fire factor. Wildfire foxes have a black nose and can have either orange, brown, hazel or yellow eyes.
Picture source: US Fox Shippers Council, from the book ''Beautiful Fur Animals and Their Colour Genetics".
Amber fire fox
Whitemark (white face) mutations
Take note that these are not the only whitemark types that exist or that can exist. Any solid colour, be it silver, red, cinnamon, pastel, cross types, sapphire, and so on, can have a whitemark variation of it. However, the following types I will present are the ones that have been documented to exist. I assume that other types of whitemark may have existed/exist right now, but have not yet been documented, therefore will not be included on the website.
Whitemark fox (AABBWw, AABbWw or AAbbWw)
Whitemark foxes, also known as white faced foxes or sometimes, ringneck foxes (if the white on their chest goes all the way up to the back of their head), are mostly black with silver guard hairs. Their feet are white, sometimes with small black spots. Their chest and belly is white. They have a white muzzle with a narrow stripe that continues from the muzzle up to their forehead, sometimes all the way to the back of their head. These foxes generally have brown eyes, but some individuals have yellow or orange eyes. Whitemark foxes have been seen having eyes of different colours as well (one blue, one brown) or one eye partially blue, partially brown, although it is rare. Their nose is generally black. It should be noted that breeding a whitemark to another whitemark or platinum causes 25% of embryonic mortality.
Picture by myself of Lunam, a pet fox, 2014.
Whitemark foxes, also known as white faced foxes or sometimes, ringneck foxes (if the white on their chest goes all the way up to the back of their head), are mostly black with silver guard hairs. Their feet are white, sometimes with small black spots. Their chest and belly is white. They have a white muzzle with a narrow stripe that continues from the muzzle up to their forehead, sometimes all the way to the back of their head. These foxes generally have brown eyes, but some individuals have yellow or orange eyes. Whitemark foxes have been seen having eyes of different colours as well (one blue, one brown) or one eye partially blue, partially brown, although it is rare. Their nose is generally black. It should be noted that breeding a whitemark to another whitemark or platinum causes 25% of embryonic mortality.
Picture by myself of Lunam, a pet fox, 2014.
Fire and ice whitemark fox
(AAbbppWw, AABbppWw, AABBppWw + fire factor)
Fire and ice whitemark foxes result from the combination of a fire and ice fox and a whitemark fox. They look exactly like fire and ice foxes, but have the distinct whitemark pattern (white paws, belly, chest, muzzle and stripe on the face). Their nose can be black, grey or reddish-grey while their eyes can be brown, yellow, blue, bi-eyed, partially coloured, orange or green.
Picture source: Earthly Nation.
(AAbbppWw, AABbppWw, AABBppWw + fire factor)
Fire and ice whitemark foxes result from the combination of a fire and ice fox and a whitemark fox. They look exactly like fire and ice foxes, but have the distinct whitemark pattern (white paws, belly, chest, muzzle and stripe on the face). Their nose can be black, grey or reddish-grey while their eyes can be brown, yellow, blue, bi-eyed, partially coloured, orange or green.
Picture source: Earthly Nation.
Cross whitemark fox (AaBbWPw or AaBBWPw)
Cross whitemark foxes, very often referred to as calico foxes, are the result of the combination of a cross fox with a whitemark fox. They have the coloration of a cross fox (black and orange) combined with the distinct white pattern of whitemark foxes (white face + blaze on the face, white feet, white belly and white chest). Their nose is black and their eyes can be either brown, bi-eyed, blue, partially coloured, orange or yellow.
Picture source: Frazier Farms Exotics, of their calico fox LaVeau, used with their permission.
Cross whitemark foxes, very often referred to as calico foxes, are the result of the combination of a cross fox with a whitemark fox. They have the coloration of a cross fox (black and orange) combined with the distinct white pattern of whitemark foxes (white face + blaze on the face, white feet, white belly and white chest). Their nose is black and their eyes can be either brown, bi-eyed, blue, partially coloured, orange or yellow.
Picture source: Frazier Farms Exotics, of their calico fox LaVeau, used with their permission.
Champagne whitemark fox
Champagne whitemark (pink whitemark) foxes are the result of a combination between a champagne fox and a whitemark fox, carrier of champagne. Champagne whitemark foxes have the coloration of the champagne fox (light beige with pink shades) combined with the distinct white pattern of the whitemark fox. Their nose is pink and their eyes are blue.
Picture source: myself, of Kimo (champagne fox). I edited the picture to make him appear as having the whitemark pattern, since I did not have a picture of an actual champagne whitemark fox. Picture of a genuine pink whitemark here.
Champagne whitemark (pink whitemark) foxes are the result of a combination between a champagne fox and a whitemark fox, carrier of champagne. Champagne whitemark foxes have the coloration of the champagne fox (light beige with pink shades) combined with the distinct white pattern of the whitemark fox. Their nose is pink and their eyes are blue.
Picture source: myself, of Kimo (champagne fox). I edited the picture to make him appear as having the whitemark pattern, since I did not have a picture of an actual champagne whitemark fox. Picture of a genuine pink whitemark here.
Amber whitemark fox (AAbbggppWw)
Amber whitemark foxes are the result of a combination between an amber fox and a whitemark fox, carrier of amber. Amber whitemark foxes have the brown coloration of the amber fox but with the distinct white pattern seen in whitemark foxes (white face, blaze, feet and belly). Their nose can be brown, reddish-grey or reddish-brown, and their eyes, yellow, brown, blue, bi-eyed, partially coloured or green.
Picture source: myself, of Hunter (amber fox). I edited the picture to make him appear as having the whitemark pattern, since I did not have a picture of an actual amber whitemark fox that I could use. Here is a live picture of a fox.
Amber whitemark foxes are the result of a combination between an amber fox and a whitemark fox, carrier of amber. Amber whitemark foxes have the brown coloration of the amber fox but with the distinct white pattern seen in whitemark foxes (white face, blaze, feet and belly). Their nose can be brown, reddish-grey or reddish-brown, and their eyes, yellow, brown, blue, bi-eyed, partially coloured or green.
Picture source: myself, of Hunter (amber fox). I edited the picture to make him appear as having the whitemark pattern, since I did not have a picture of an actual amber whitemark fox that I could use. Here is a live picture of a fox.
Red whitemark fox (AABBWw or AABbWw)
Red whitemark foxes are the direct result of a combination between a red fox and a whitemark fox. Red whitemark foxes have the coloration of a red fox (all orange, with black feet, tail and ears) combined with the distinct white pattern of a whitemark fox (white feet, muzzle, blaze across the face, belly and chest). Their nose is black and their eyes can vary between either yellow, brown, orange, and occasionally green, blue, bi-eyed or partially coloured.
Picture used with permission from Moxie's owner, UK.
Red whitemark foxes are the direct result of a combination between a red fox and a whitemark fox. Red whitemark foxes have the coloration of a red fox (all orange, with black feet, tail and ears) combined with the distinct white pattern of a whitemark fox (white feet, muzzle, blaze across the face, belly and chest). Their nose is black and their eyes can vary between either yellow, brown, orange, and occasionally green, blue, bi-eyed or partially coloured.
Picture used with permission from Moxie's owner, UK.
Pearl cross whitemark fox
(AaBbppWw, AaBBppWw, AaBbssWw or AaBBssWw)
Pearl cross whitemark foxes are the result of a combination between a pearl cross fox and a whitemark fox. Pearl cross whitemark foxes, also referred to as pearl calico foxes, have the coloration of a pearl cross fox (grey and orange) combined with the distinct white pattern of the whitemark fox. Their nose is either black, grey or reddish-grey, and their eyes, either brown, blue, partially coloured, yellow, green or grey.
Picture source: Fox Moon Farms, fox sanctuary in Indiana.
Cinnamon whitemark fox (AAbbggWw)
Also known as burgundy whitemark foxes, cinnamon whitemark foxes are the result of a combination between a cinnamon fox and a whitemark fox carrier of cinnamon. Cinnamon whitemark foxes have the coloration of a cinnamon fox (rich, reddish brown) with the distinct pattern of a whitemark fox (white face, white blaze, white belly, white chest and white legs). Their nose is brown and their eyes, brown, yellow or green.
Picture source: myself, of Pattie (a cinnamon fox). I edited the picture to make her appear as having the whitemark pattern, since I did not have any cinnamon whitemark fox pictures I could use. Here is, however, a live photo of a true fox.
Also known as burgundy whitemark foxes, cinnamon whitemark foxes are the result of a combination between a cinnamon fox and a whitemark fox carrier of cinnamon. Cinnamon whitemark foxes have the coloration of a cinnamon fox (rich, reddish brown) with the distinct pattern of a whitemark fox (white face, white blaze, white belly, white chest and white legs). Their nose is brown and their eyes, brown, yellow or green.
Picture source: myself, of Pattie (a cinnamon fox). I edited the picture to make her appear as having the whitemark pattern, since I did not have any cinnamon whitemark fox pictures I could use. Here is, however, a live photo of a true fox.
Pearl whitemark fox (AAbbppWw or AAbbssWw)
Pearl whitemark foxes, also known as pearl glacier foxes or ''pearlatina'' foxes, are the direct result of a combination between a pearl fox and a whitemark fox. They have the coloration of a pearl fox (grey) combined with the white patterns seen on whitemark foxes (white feet, belly, chest, face, etc.). Their eyes are yellow, green, blue, bi-eyed, partially coloured or light grey and their nose, generally grey but can often be seen as being pink or grey with large pink spots on it. They appear similar to common platinum foxes but can be told apart from them by the distinct pearl colour they have and by the colour of their eyes which can be green or grey, an eye colour that common platinums do not have.
Picture source: Allyson Kushner and Andrew Wells, of their beautiful glacier fox Onyx!
Pearl whitemark foxes, also known as pearl glacier foxes or ''pearlatina'' foxes, are the direct result of a combination between a pearl fox and a whitemark fox. They have the coloration of a pearl fox (grey) combined with the white patterns seen on whitemark foxes (white feet, belly, chest, face, etc.). Their eyes are yellow, green, blue, bi-eyed, partially coloured or light grey and their nose, generally grey but can often be seen as being pink or grey with large pink spots on it. They appear similar to common platinum foxes but can be told apart from them by the distinct pearl colour they have and by the colour of their eyes which can be green or grey, an eye colour that common platinums do not have.
Picture source: Allyson Kushner and Andrew Wells, of their beautiful glacier fox Onyx!
Mystique whitemark fox (AAbbggppssWw)
The mystique whitemark fox, also known as sapphire amber whitemark fox, is a rare mutation of the red fox. There is not much information about it, but what is known is that they are the result of the mix between the sapphire gene and the amber gene, with the whitemark gene applied to it. They have the distinct coloration of sapphire amber foxes (a pale greyish/blue with brown tints) combined to the whitemark patterns (white feet, white belly, white muzzle and white blaze across the face). Mystique whitemark foxes have ice blue eyes. Their nose can be either pink, grey/blue or greyish pink/brown.
The mystique whitemark fox, also known as sapphire amber whitemark fox, is a rare mutation of the red fox. There is not much information about it, but what is known is that they are the result of the mix between the sapphire gene and the amber gene, with the whitemark gene applied to it. They have the distinct coloration of sapphire amber foxes (a pale greyish/blue with brown tints) combined to the whitemark patterns (white feet, white belly, white muzzle and white blaze across the face). Mystique whitemark foxes have ice blue eyes. Their nose can be either pink, grey/blue or greyish pink/brown.
Platinum mutations
Take note that these are not the only platinum types that exist or that can exist. Any solid colour, be it silver, red, cinnamon, pastel, cross types, sapphire, and so on, can have a platinum variation of it. However, the following types I will present are the ones that have been documented to exist. I assume that other types of platinum may have existed/exist right now, but have not yet been documented. Platinum types are very similar to whitemark types in appearance but the platinum gene dilutes the colour with which it is combined, making it appear drastically paler than it would usually be, unlike the whitemark gene, which keeps the original appearance of the colour with which it's combined without altering it in any way.
Platinum fox (AAbbWPw)
Platinum foxes appeared in 1933 on a Norwegian fur farm. The platinum foxes have a large amount of white on their fur and their main colour is diluted, contrary to the whitemark fox. They have white feet, a white belly, a white chest with, sometimes, a ring around the neck, a white muzzle and a white blaze on the forehead. Platinum foxes have a grey coloration, which can resemble pearl but remains different and often has more than one shade of grey in it (from lighter to darker). Their nose is black, sometimes black with pink dots, and their eyes are either brown, yellow, blue, bi-eyed or orange. If bred to each other or to a whitemark, there will be 25% of embryonic mortality.
Picture source: Émie Senneville, with permission to use it.
Platinum foxes appeared in 1933 on a Norwegian fur farm. The platinum foxes have a large amount of white on their fur and their main colour is diluted, contrary to the whitemark fox. They have white feet, a white belly, a white chest with, sometimes, a ring around the neck, a white muzzle and a white blaze on the forehead. Platinum foxes have a grey coloration, which can resemble pearl but remains different and often has more than one shade of grey in it (from lighter to darker). Their nose is black, sometimes black with pink dots, and their eyes are either brown, yellow, blue, bi-eyed or orange. If bred to each other or to a whitemark, there will be 25% of embryonic mortality.
Picture source: Émie Senneville, with permission to use it.
Gold platinum fox (AABBWPw or AABbWPw)
Gold platinum foxes, also known as red platinum foxes, are the direct result of the combination between a red fox and a platinum fox. They have a light orange, sometimes even yellow, coloration, with the distinct white patterns of the platinum fox. Their nose is black, and their eyes are generally brown, yellow, orange but can even be green, blue, partially coloured or bi-eyed.
Picture source: Fox Paradox.
Gold platinum foxes, also known as red platinum foxes, are the direct result of the combination between a red fox and a platinum fox. They have a light orange, sometimes even yellow, coloration, with the distinct white patterns of the platinum fox. Their nose is black, and their eyes are generally brown, yellow, orange but can even be green, blue, partially coloured or bi-eyed.
Picture source: Fox Paradox.
Amber platinum fox (AAbbggppWPw)
Amber platinum foxes are the result of a combination between an amber fox and a platinum fox, carrier of amber. Amber platinum foxes have the brown coloration of the amber fox but with the distinct white pattern seen in platinum foxes (white face, blaze, feet and belly). Because of the platinum gene, the amber colour is diluted, making it drastically paler than what an amber fox would generally look like. This helps differentiate them from amber whitemark foxes, which, although sharing the same white patterns on their fur, keep the original darker amber colour without altering its appearance. Their nose can be brown, reddish-grey or reddish-brown, and their eyes, yellow, brown, amber or green.
Picture source: Fox Paradox.
Pearl cross platinum (AaBbppWPw or AaBBppWPw)
Pearl cross platinum foxes, also known under the market name of ''sun mist foxes'', are the direct result of the combination of a pearl cross fox with a platinum fox. Breeding a platinum fox, carrier of pearl or pearl cross, to a pearl cross fox will maximize the chances of obtaining pearl cross platinum kits. Pearl cross platinum foxes have the white markings of platinum foxes (white feet, white muzzle, white chest, white belly and a white blaze on their forehead) with the coloration of a pearl cross fox (grey and orange) but much paler due to the dilution gene of platinums. Their eyes are either yellow, green, grey, brown and in some rare cases, blue, bi-eyed or partially coloured, and their nose, either grey, pink or grey with pink spots.
Picture source: Tomas Sanchez
Glacier blue fox (AAbbppWPw or AAbbssWPw)
Glacier blue foxes, sometimes written as glacierblue foxes, are the result of the combination of a pearl fox and a platinum fox. They have the distinct white patterns seen in platinum foxes (white feet, white muzzle, white blaze across the face, white belly and white chest) combined to a pale grey (extra pale pearl) coloration that covers the rest of their bodies. The pale grey coloration varies in intensity, sometimes being extra pale, giving an almost white appearance to the fox, and sometimes being just a little lighter than an average pearl fox, making it resemble common platinum foxes or pale pearl whitemark foxes. Their nose is either grey, reddish-grey or reddish-pink and their eyes, either yellow, brown, blue, bi-eyed, partially coloured, grey or green.
Picture source: Fur farm in Quebec, Canada.
Glacier blue foxes, sometimes written as glacierblue foxes, are the result of the combination of a pearl fox and a platinum fox. They have the distinct white patterns seen in platinum foxes (white feet, white muzzle, white blaze across the face, white belly and white chest) combined to a pale grey (extra pale pearl) coloration that covers the rest of their bodies. The pale grey coloration varies in intensity, sometimes being extra pale, giving an almost white appearance to the fox, and sometimes being just a little lighter than an average pearl fox, making it resemble common platinum foxes or pale pearl whitemark foxes. Their nose is either grey, reddish-grey or reddish-pink and their eyes, either yellow, brown, blue, bi-eyed, partially coloured, grey or green.
Picture source: Fur farm in Quebec, Canada.
Glacier red fox
Glacier red foxes have the distinct white patterns seen in platinum foxes (white feet, white muzzle, white blaze across the face, white belly and white chest) combined to an extremely light orange/yellow, resembling the colour of fire and ice foxes, which covers the rest of their bodies. The back of their ears and the guard hairs on their tail are usually light grey (pearl) and their eyes are either yellow, brown, blue, bi-eyed, partially coloured, green or grey, and their nose either a black, grey, reddish-grey or pink nose.
Picture source: Fox Wood.
Glacier red foxes have the distinct white patterns seen in platinum foxes (white feet, white muzzle, white blaze across the face, white belly and white chest) combined to an extremely light orange/yellow, resembling the colour of fire and ice foxes, which covers the rest of their bodies. The back of their ears and the guard hairs on their tail are usually light grey (pearl) and their eyes are either yellow, brown, blue, bi-eyed, partially coloured, green or grey, and their nose either a black, grey, reddish-grey or pink nose.
Picture source: Fox Wood.
Cinnamon platinum fox (AAbbggWPw)
Cinnamon platinum foxes, also known as burgundy platinum foxes, are the result of a combination between a cinnamon fox and a platinum fox carrier of the cinnamon gene. Cinnamon platinum foxes have the distinct white patterns seen in platinum foxes. The rest of their body is light brown, a rich reddish brown like the cinnamon, but much lighter in colour. Their nose is brown or reddish brown and their eyes are either yellow, brown, blue, partially coloured, bi-eyed, orange or green.
Picture source: Stan Honey Thief, of Beautiful Fur Animals and Their Colour Genetics.
Cinnamon platinum foxes, also known as burgundy platinum foxes, are the result of a combination between a cinnamon fox and a platinum fox carrier of the cinnamon gene. Cinnamon platinum foxes have the distinct white patterns seen in platinum foxes. The rest of their body is light brown, a rich reddish brown like the cinnamon, but much lighter in colour. Their nose is brown or reddish brown and their eyes are either yellow, brown, blue, partially coloured, bi-eyed, orange or green.
Picture source: Stan Honey Thief, of Beautiful Fur Animals and Their Colour Genetics.
Cross mutations
Note: any solid colour of fox can have a cross variation of it. The following pictures show the types of cross foxes which have been documented throughout the history of fur farming. Variations of color tint and intensity (light or dark) can vary from one individual to another within the same colour mutation.
Note: any solid colour of fox can have a cross variation of it. The following pictures show the types of cross foxes which have been documented throughout the history of fur farming. Variations of color tint and intensity (light or dark) can vary from one individual to another within the same colour mutation.
Pearl cross fox
(AaBbpp or AaBBpp)
Pearl cross foxes are the result of a combination between a common cross fox and a pearl fox. The pearl gene dilutes the darker colours of the cross fox, which results in foxes that have the distinct cross fox pattern, but rather than being silver (black) and red (orange), they are grey (pearl) where they would usually be black, and light orange or yellow where they would usually be orange or red. Their nose is either grey or reddish-grey, and their eyes, either yellow, green, brown or grey.
Picture source: Stacey Hayes, of her fox Gambit. Permission to use the photo.
(AaBbpp or AaBBpp)
Pearl cross foxes are the result of a combination between a common cross fox and a pearl fox. The pearl gene dilutes the darker colours of the cross fox, which results in foxes that have the distinct cross fox pattern, but rather than being silver (black) and red (orange), they are grey (pearl) where they would usually be black, and light orange or yellow where they would usually be orange or red. Their nose is either grey or reddish-grey, and their eyes, either yellow, green, brown or grey.
Picture source: Stacey Hayes, of her fox Gambit. Permission to use the photo.
Amber cross fox (AaBBggpp or AaBbggpp)
The amber cross fox, sometimes also known as blush fox or beige cross fox, is a result of the combination between a cross fox carrier of amber with an amber fox. Amber cross foxes can vary in shade, from darker brown, like cinnamon, to a very pale brown, but they all have the distinct cross pattern. The orange on their fur is diluted and appears pale orange or, occasionally, even yellow. Their nose can be black, brown or reddish-brown, with eyes varying from brown to yellow and even green or greenish-yellow.
Picture source: Bently the fox, picture by me.
Fire and ice cross fox (AaBB or AaBb + fire factor)
Fire and ice cross foxes are the combination between a red cross fox or silver cross fox with a fox presenting the fire factor gene (such as a fire and ice fox). The fire and ice cross fox has the same pattern of black found in cross foxes (black feet, black belly and chest, black face, black ears and black tail) but the rest of the body, rather than being orange, is cream (cream colour of the fire and ice fox). Their nose is black while their eyes can be brown, yellow or hazel.
Note: picture of a wild fox, which matches the description of the fire and ice cross fox, hence why I am using it as an example (I found no pictures of fire cross foxes, sadly... hope this gives a good idea of what they should look like! :-)
Picture source: Zazzle.fr
Fire and ice cross foxes are the combination between a red cross fox or silver cross fox with a fox presenting the fire factor gene (such as a fire and ice fox). The fire and ice cross fox has the same pattern of black found in cross foxes (black feet, black belly and chest, black face, black ears and black tail) but the rest of the body, rather than being orange, is cream (cream colour of the fire and ice fox). Their nose is black while their eyes can be brown, yellow or hazel.
Note: picture of a wild fox, which matches the description of the fire and ice cross fox, hence why I am using it as an example (I found no pictures of fire cross foxes, sadly... hope this gives a good idea of what they should look like! :-)
Picture source: Zazzle.fr
Snow glow cross fox
Cinnamon cross fox
(AaBBgg or AABbgg)
Cinnamon cross foxes are the result of a combination between a cross fox carrier of cinnamon and a cinnamon fox. They are also known as burgundy cross foxes. Cinnamon cross foxes have the distinct cross pattern (lighter sides, rear and forehead) but with the coloration of a cinnamon fox (brown) on the rest of the body. Their nose is brown and their eyes are either brown, orange, yellow or green.
Picture source: eau.
(AaBBgg or AABbgg)
Cinnamon cross foxes are the result of a combination between a cross fox carrier of cinnamon and a cinnamon fox. They are also known as burgundy cross foxes. Cinnamon cross foxes have the distinct cross pattern (lighter sides, rear and forehead) but with the coloration of a cinnamon fox (brown) on the rest of the body. Their nose is brown and their eyes are either brown, orange, yellow or green.
Picture source: eau.
Champagne cross fox (pink cross fox)
Champagne cross foxes are the result of the combination between a cross fox carrier of champagne and a champagne fox. The champagne cross fox will have the distinct cross pattern, whose colour appears as a very diluted orange. The rest of their body is champagne (light beige with pink shades) which can vary from very light to a darker, more amber-like tint. These foxes have pink or reddish brown noses paired with blue eyes.
Picture source: Miko, by myself. I added the cross pattern as I did not find a live picture of a champagne cross fox. Hope it gives a pretty good idea of their appearance! :-)
Champagne cross foxes are the result of the combination between a cross fox carrier of champagne and a champagne fox. The champagne cross fox will have the distinct cross pattern, whose colour appears as a very diluted orange. The rest of their body is champagne (light beige with pink shades) which can vary from very light to a darker, more amber-like tint. These foxes have pink or reddish brown noses paired with blue eyes.
Picture source: Miko, by myself. I added the cross pattern as I did not find a live picture of a champagne cross fox. Hope it gives a pretty good idea of their appearance! :-)
Other mutations
Other mutations of the red fox that have been documented.
Dakota gold (Bbpp)
Dakota gold foxes are the result of a combination between a gold (red) fox and a pearl fox. Dakota gold foxes, also known as sapphire sunrise foxes and pearl gold foxes, vary in appearance from being pale orange to yellow. Whatever their main colour is, however, they all have a trait in common: their feet, ears and tail are grey (pearl coloured). Their nose is either black or grey, and their eyes, either brown, green, grey or yellow.
Picture source: Northern Myst Creations.
Autumn gold fox
Amber gold fox
Amber red fox
(AABbggpp)
Autumn gold foxes, also known as amber gold foxes, are the result of the combination between a red fox type (gold, red) carrier of the recessive amber gene, with an amber fox. The autumn gold fox resembles any gold type fox (pale orange fur, sometimes almost yellow) but its feet, tail and ears are light brown (amber colour). Its nose is brown, reddish-brown and occasionally black while the eyes can be brown, yellow or green.
Picture source: Canada fur farm.
Amber gold fox
Amber red fox
(AABbggpp)
Autumn gold foxes, also known as amber gold foxes, are the result of the combination between a red fox type (gold, red) carrier of the recessive amber gene, with an amber fox. The autumn gold fox resembles any gold type fox (pale orange fur, sometimes almost yellow) but its feet, tail and ears are light brown (amber colour). Its nose is brown, reddish-brown and occasionally black while the eyes can be brown, yellow or green.
Picture source: Canada fur farm.
Cinnamon red fox (AABbgg)
Cinnamon red foxes are the result of a combination between a red fox carrier of cinnamon and a cinnamon fox. Cinnamon red foxes, also known as burgundy red foxes, cinnamon gold or burgundy gold foxes, resemble a red fox due to the fact that most of their body is the same reddish orange found on red foxes or gold foxes. However, unlike the red and gold foxes, the cinnamon red fox's feet, ears and tail are rich dark brown (cinnamon coloration). Its eyes are usually yellow, green or brown while its nose, brown or reddish-brown.
Picture source: Howling Timbers Sanctuary.
Cinnamon red foxes are the result of a combination between a red fox carrier of cinnamon and a cinnamon fox. Cinnamon red foxes, also known as burgundy red foxes, cinnamon gold or burgundy gold foxes, resemble a red fox due to the fact that most of their body is the same reddish orange found on red foxes or gold foxes. However, unlike the red and gold foxes, the cinnamon red fox's feet, ears and tail are rich dark brown (cinnamon coloration). Its eyes are usually yellow, green or brown while its nose, brown or reddish-brown.
Picture source: Howling Timbers Sanctuary.
The Radium fox (AAbbrr)
Extinct mutation.
Radium foxes first made their appearance on a silver fox farm located in Shawano, Wisconsin, in 1935. Fred Eberlein, the fur farmer who 'created' radium foxes, discovered the first radium fox kits in a litter of silver foxes, born out of two common silver foxes. The three radium fox kits were unfortunately culled by Eberlein once they reached maturity, as he thought their albino appearance was irregular in comparison to his silver foxes, and of no value whatsoever. Their pelts were privately sold after being denied access to the Madison fur show due to their colour which was unlike any silver fox generally shown there.
A year or two later, more radium fox kits made their appearance on the Eberlein farm. The farmer sold some of the kits as breeding stock to other farmers, Frederick Beck (Thiensville, WI) and the Wanless brothers (Viroqua, WI), who started selectively breeding them to maintain and better the mutation. Radium fox pelts are extremely rare, as no more than 300 of these foxes existed through history. Beck claimed that radium foxes were very hard to breed, which could've explained their rarity.
A year or two later, more radium fox kits made their appearance on the Eberlein farm. The farmer sold some of the kits as breeding stock to other farmers, Frederick Beck (Thiensville, WI) and the Wanless brothers (Viroqua, WI), who started selectively breeding them to maintain and better the mutation. Radium fox pelts are extremely rare, as no more than 300 of these foxes existed through history. Beck claimed that radium foxes were very hard to breed, which could've explained their rarity.
An excerpt of a Wisconsin-based newspaper back in the 1950's, briefly mentioning radium foxes, their unique appearance and the history behind their creation and development.
Radium foxes sadly became extinct during the decline of fur farming in the 40's. They were described as appearing to be completely white, with pale grey/silver guard hairs which were distributed uniformly on their whole body, giving some individuals an extremely pale grey appearance. Their undercoat was blue-black, dark coloured, giving these foxes a very unique look.
Example: think of a cat of the blue smoke coloration (dark blue/black guard hairs, but underneath them, a pure white undercoat - radium foxes where like that, but the opposite - their guard hairs were pale/white while their undercoat was dark blueish black).
Radium foxes had pale yellow or greenish yellow eyes. Their nose was black, but could be pink or black with pink spots.
Complete newspaper entry about radium foxes.
Picture source: Both pictures display radium fox taxidermy mounts. I couldn't remember for my life where I came across these pictures.
Example: think of a cat of the blue smoke coloration (dark blue/black guard hairs, but underneath them, a pure white undercoat - radium foxes where like that, but the opposite - their guard hairs were pale/white while their undercoat was dark blueish black).
Radium foxes had pale yellow or greenish yellow eyes. Their nose was black, but could be pink or black with pink spots.
Complete newspaper entry about radium foxes.
Picture source: Both pictures display radium fox taxidermy mounts. I couldn't remember for my life where I came across these pictures.
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Unless stated otherwise, none of the pictures shown here belong to me. I do not make profits off of the pictures displayed on this website - it is strictly informational for those who love foxes as much as I do and are fascinated by their colours. The foxes shown are either privately owned pet foxes, whose owners gave me permission to use their pictures, pictures from the book Beautiful Fur Animals and Their Colour Genetics, or pictures coming from various different websites. I tried rightfully crediting each and every one of them, but if you find your picture and wish for me to either credit it to another website/company, or want me to remove it from the website, contact me at [email protected] and I will immediately take it down. Thank you!
