BLACK FOXES IN THE UK
The Black version of the European red fox (vulpes vulpes) is a rare sight in the UK and is something of a mythological creature. This melanistic or black fox carries recessive traits that mean it's appearance in nature is a rare occurrence indeed.
In contrast, the North American red fox (previously vulpes fulva) occurs in three common colours; red, cross and silver. The practice of trapping and breeding melanistic North American red foxes in the 19th century resulted in the 'silver fox', an animal model developed by the fur trade, then further domesticated for tame behaviour in an ongoing Russian experiment.
In recent years, there appears to be a return of melanistic traits in the UK fox population and the number of unusual fox sightings has increased as a result. While some of these sightings will be of native wild foxes, some of the animals seen are that of escaped exotic pets ('silver foxes') in need of being located and returned home, which is why your reports are so important!
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