Definition

Noun: 1. A color phase of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) characterized by fur that is predominantly black or very dark silver, rather than the typical reddish-orange. This is a genetic variation, not a separate species.

Usage Examples

• The trapper was excited to find a black fox pelt, as it was more valuable than the common red variety.
• In some northern regions, sightings of a black fox are considered rare and special.
• The wildlife documentary highlighted the black fox as a striking example of natural color morphism within a species.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used primarily in the context of fur trading, wildlife biology, and animal morphology to specify this particular color variant.
• It can sometimes be used more loosely in historical or literary contexts to refer to any fox with unusually dark fur.

Variants and Related Words

• Silver fox: A closely related color morph of the red fox where the fur is black with white-tipped guard hairs, giving a silvery appearance. The terms "black fox" and "silver fox" are sometimes used interchangeably, though "silver fox" specifically denotes the silver-tipped fur.
• Cross fox: Another color morph of the red fox, featuring a dark stripe down the back and across the shoulders.
• Red fox: The common species () to which the black fox belongs.

Synonyms

• Silver fox (in some contexts, specifically when the black fur has silver tips)

Notes on Meaning

• It is critical to understand that a "black fox" is not a distinct biological species. It is always a red fox with a specific genetic trait affecting its coat color. The definition refers to the "color phase" of the animal.

Noun

1. red fox in the color phase when its pelt is mostly black