I am a for fun wildlife photographer and I recreate mother natures beautiful animals out in the wild with my vast array of top notch taxidermy mounts and I am wondering about the color phase that the red fox has that produces in the wild the silver & black fox. I have acquired a silver fox and understand that they compromise only about 10% of the fox population in the US. Could you better explain this color phase for me.

Thanks, Cathy Ergovich

Due to genetic variations, red foxes have three color phases in addition to the red phase. Melanistic foxes have black fur; the silver phase produces foxes with black fur with white tips; and the cross phase results in foxes with a red coat with black across the shoulders and back. In Illinois, these color phases are rare in the wild.