Cross Foxes
The cross fox is a partially melanism, melanistic colour variant of the red fox (''Vulpes vulpes'') which has a long dark stripe running down its back, intersecting another stripe to form a cross over the shoulders. It tends to be more abundant in northern regions of Canada, and is rarer than the common red form, but is more common than the even darker Silver fox (animal), silver fox. Taxonomy At one time the cross fox was considered to be a separate species from the red fox, and was given the binomial name ''Canis decassatus'' (the fox genus ''Vulpes'' was then commonly included in the dog genus ''Canis''). Fur farmers and trappers continued to treat each red fox colour form as a distinct species long after scientists concluded that they were variations of the same one. Distribution Cross foxes are relatively common in the northern areas of North America, and comprise up to 30% of Canada's red fox population.
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