Rare Black Gray Fox Spotted in Michigan

Melanistic gray foxes appear almost black because they produce extra melanin, the pigment responsible for the color of their skin and fur. One Michigan resident recently got a rare photo of one.

Foxes Come in a Several Colors

Foxes come in several colors, but in Michigan, you’ll typically see either a red fox or a gray fox. Red fox populations have declined, with coyotes in the Lower Peninsula and wolves in the Upper Peninsula potentially contributing to the change.

Coyotes and wolves see foxes as competition for food and territory. They may kill foxes to reduce competition, although they do not always eat them.

Gray foxes are relatively uncommon in Michigan, and the DNR is asking residents to report sightings. They could show up on trail or security cameras, along the road while you’re driving, or while you’re out enjoying nature.

Read More: Michigan DNR Seeks Help Tracking Gray Foxes

Michigan Wildlife Watch: Rare Black Gray Fox Spotted

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Via Facebook

The DNR received a photo from a Michigan resident showing a melanistic gray fox with nearly black fur. According to the DNR, it is the only known example of a melanistic gray fox in the Midwest. The photo was taken in 2019 but was recently submitted as part of the DNR’s ongoing fox research program.

A melanistic gray fox has a genetic mutation that causes it to produce extra melanin, the pigment that gives its fur a darker color. In Michigan, melanism is more commonly seen in red foxes, making an already rare gray fox that appears nearly black an even rarer sight.