III. Manual of Fur -Farming 



COMMON EED FOX 



THE 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 Red Fox (Tnlpcs) which, 

 in some districts, is found 

 in several colours, viz.: 



Red Fox — When red and v/hite 

 with dark points; 



Silver Fox — No red, but dark all 

 over with silver amphi- 

 maculated hairs inter- 

 mixed; white on tip of 

 tail; 



Cross Fox — An intermediate 

 form, similar to silver 

 fox, but with red sides, 

 neck and ears. 



V. fulvus — Ontario, Quebec, East- 

 ern United States. 



y. bangsi — Labrador and North 

 shore of Gulf of St. Law- 

 rence. 



y. deletrix — Newfoundland. 



V. rubricosa — Nova Scotia, New 

 Brunswick, Gaspe, Prince 

 Edward Island.* 



y. regalis — Manitoba, Dakota, Mon- 

 tana, Alberta. 



y. macrouris — Wyoming, Nevada. 



y. abietorum — British Columbia, Al- 

 berta, North West Terri- 

 tories. 



y. alascensis — Alaska, Yukon. 



y. Mrrlmani — Kadiak islands. 



y. Icenaicnsis — Kenai peninsula. 



y. cascadensis — Washing-ton, Ore- 

 gon, California. 



y. mccator — California. 



* As it has been segregated for ages, the Prince Edward Island fox is^ 

 possibly, a distinct variety. 



