Cross fox

A dark color morph of the red fox, with the same ecology and voice.

Field guide

A dark color morph of the red fox, with the same ecology and voice.

Identification

Shared features

Dark stripe along the back and across the shoulders forms a cross over reddish fur.

Male

This is a red fox color morph: the dark cross on the shoulders and back occurs in either sex. Males average larger but cannot be reliably identified by coat pattern.

Female

Females can have the same cross-marked red and dark coat. A lone animal cannot be reliably sexed by color or body size alone.

Habitat

Mixed woods, brushy farmland and field edges with small-mammal prey.

Where to look during the day

Morning

At dawn, scan field edges and tracks after overnight hunting.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, foxes often shelter in brush or near a den, though they may remain active.

Evening

At dusk, watch open edges and listen for calls as hunting resumes.

Sounds

Like other red foxes, it may bark, yelp or give a sharp scream.

Recorded calls

Red fox call (cross fox is a color morph)

Field recording of a red fox; the cross fox is a coat morph of the same species. A narrower call type or the caller's sex is not assigned to this clip.

NPS / Shan Burson · Recording source

Natural history source: Read the source

Bag limits

Bag and possession summaries.

-No bag limit or possession limit.

Official bag-limit source