It always amazes me how nature can create such intricate color schemes. These dogs are distinctively colored due to a rare disease that causes their blaze red coats to alternate with black stripes.
They are called cross flies, and melanism is one of their special characteristics. Melanin, a pigment containing a black hue, is responsible for the beautiful colors of animals.
Biologists estimate that such foxes once numbered in the millions on the continent of North America, but are now extremely rare.
Due to the demand for their pricey fur, there were fewer of these adorable animals by the turn of the century. A cross fox differs from a red fox only by its color and fluffier tail.
According to an expert, Canadian photographer Samuel Saian recently captured rare images of the foxes, albeit accidentally. Even though the fox ran away when they met, they managed to capture some incredible images.
