Foxes are found across almost every continent. While the image of a fox is typically associated with a fiery red coat, the answer to whether a fox can be brown is a clear yes. This color diversity is a fascinating result of genetic variation and the existence of entirely separate species. These factors lead to a wide spectrum of coat colors, including various shades of brown.
The Standard Red Fox Coat
The most widespread species, the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), establishes the baseline for what most people consider a fox. Its coat is generally a rusty red, yellowish-red, or deep orange, particularly across the back, sides, and head. This coloration results from high concentrations of the pigment phaeomelanin, which produces red and yellow tones. The species is characterized by specific dark markings, including black legs, black-tipped ears, and a distinctive white tip on the tail.
The Red Fox’s coat color can naturally vary in intensity, appearing paler in arid regions and deeper red in northern latitudes. Even within this standard color phase, the guard hairs often have bands of black, yellowy-brown, and white pigment, contributing to the overall blended appearance.
Genetic Variations Resulting in Brown Hues
Brown foxes often represent a color morph, or mutation, within the Red Fox species itself, distinct from the standard red coloration. These variations result from specific genetic combinations affecting the production and distribution of the two primary pigments: eumelanin (dark/black) and phaeomelanin (red/yellow).
One common variation is the “Cross Fox,” which accounts for roughly 25% of Red Fox individuals in some populations. The Cross Fox features a reddish-brown coat with a striking pattern of darker fur forming a stripe down the back and another crossing the shoulders, resembling a cross. This darker fur, a variation of melanism, can appear black or a deep brownish-gray, giving the entire animal a noticeably darker, browner cast than the typical red fox.
Rarer color variations bred in captivity, such as the “Pastel” or “Burgundy” foxes, demonstrate a spectrum of true brown tones. These deep brown colors occur when the eumelanin pigment is replaced by a chocolate brown hue due to a specific recessive gene.
Other Fox Species with Brownish Coats
Beyond the Red Fox’s variations, several other fox species naturally possess coats that are distinctly brown or reddish-brown. The Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is a prime example, being an entirely separate genus from the Red Fox. Its coat is a blend of salt-and-pepper gray hair, layered with significant amounts of cinnamon-rufous or reddish-brown fur along its sides, neck, and legs.
The grizzled appearance results from individual guard hairs banded with black, white, and gray, which combines with the reddish underfur to create an overall brownish-gray impression. This coloration, which includes a dorsal stripe of black-tipped hairs extending to a black-tipped tail, is frequently confused with the Red Fox.
Smaller species also contribute to the perception of brown foxes, particularly the Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis) and the Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) of North America’s arid regions. The Kit Fox has a yellow-gray grizzled coat with buffy highlights, which can easily be described as a sandy or light buff-brown. Similarly, the Swift Fox has a coat that ranges from a yellowish-tan to a buff-gray, with orange-tan coloring on its sides and legs. These distinct species offer a third explanation for a brown fox, based on a naturally occurring species-specific color.