Ill. Manual of Fur-Farming 
COMMON RED FOX 
HE fox is found on every continent and comprises a number of 
species. The common red fox, which exists in the greatest num- 
bers, has a range which “extends across Europe and northern and 
central Asia to Japan, while, to the south, it embraces northern Africa 
and Arabia, Persia, Baluchistan and the northwestern districts of 
India and the Himalayas.”” In North America its range extends south 
to Virginia and includes all Canada (except some northern regions), 
and the northeasternmost portion of the United States. Its 
wide geographical range accounts for many distinct local phases or 
geographical varieties. These phases, or sub-species, differ from one 
another in form, in size and, to some extent, in colouring; but the 
differences are often not apparent to the untrained observer. It 
is easy to distinguish the four species of foxes commonly seen in 
America, viz., the common red with its white-tipped tail, the arctic 
or polar fox with its short ears and blue or white pelt, the kit-fox 
with its black tail and small size, and the gray fox with its gray and 
red colour and erectile hairs down the tail; but it is more difficult to 
distinguish the sub-species of the common red fox. These are classi- 
fied as follows by Merriam: 
Common Rep Fox (Vulpes) which, in V. fulvus—Ontario, Quebec, Eastern 
some districts, is found in United States. 
several colours, viz.: V. bangsi—Labrador and North shore 
of Gulf of St. Lawrence. 
Red Fox—When red and white with V. deletric—Newfoundland. 
dark points; V. rubricosa—Nova Scotia, New Bruns- 
wick, Gaspe, Prince Edward 
Island.* 
Silver Fox—No red, but dark all over V. regalis—Manitoba, Dakota, Mon- 
with silver amphimaculated tana, Alberta. 
hairs intermixed; white on V. macrouris—W yoming, Nevada. 
tip of tail; V. abietorum—British Columbia, Al- 
berta, North West Terri- 
tories. 
V. alascensis—Alaska, Yukon. 
Cross Fox—An intermediate from, V. harrimani—Kadiak islands. 
similar to silver fox, but V. kenaiensis—Kenai peninsula. 
with red sides, neck and V. cascadensis—Washington, Oregon, 
ears. California. 
V. mecator—California. 
* As it has been segregated for ages, the Prince Edward Island fox is, possibly, 
a distinct variety. 
