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TheWhiteFox Head Adminstrator

Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 3312 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 12:10 am Post subject: 'Blue' foxes |
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This link takes you to a photograph of two arctic foxes. Everyone knows that most arctic foxes become a much darker color in the summer but now there is something wrong about this picture eh? It's still a black arctic fox but it's in the winter.
Black arctic foxes are called blue foxes 'cause if you look closely, most of the black arctic foxes are a very dark shade of blue. They are arctic foxes but just a different color like the silver foxes who are the same as red foxes.
Blue foxes generally stay the same color throughout the year though, like this fox was photographed in the summer:
Though those are called "dark blue" arctic foxes, some are not as dark like this one:
With a bit of color of light blue.
Gestation: 53 days
Litter size: 5-10
Age at sexual maturity:
Male: 10 months
Female: 10 months
Life Span: 5-7 years
Shoulder Height:
25-30 cm (10-12 in)
Head and Body Length:
53-55 cm (21-22 in)
Tail Length:
30-31 cm (12 in)
Weight:
3.2-4 kg (7-9 lb)
The blue color morph comprises less than 1% of the continental population, but are more common in western Alaska and on islands.
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Evergreen Family Dog

Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 342 Location: In the woods, hiding
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TheWhiteFox Head Adminstrator

Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 3312 Location: Arizona
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Wisefox Wiseheart

Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 917 Location: Canada
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Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:27 am Post subject: |
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LOL... I know just what you mean White.
I thought blue foxes? wow.. I also thought they would be a light blue... I have seen some white ones that looked like a light blue but I think it was just the snow and ice around it. |
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TheWhiteFox Head Adminstrator

Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 3312 Location: Arizona
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Evergreen Family Dog

Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 342 Location: In the woods, hiding
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TheWhiteFox Head Adminstrator

Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 3312 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 3:08 am Post subject: |
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That just reminded me of what one fox hunter said "what about cows, chickens, pigs?" something, some more bull crap and . . . "so ban fox hunting because they're cute; not until you worry about those other animals then you're just a hyprocrit."
That seems to be most human thoughts "not until you do this then you're a hyprocrit." Even back in the revolutionary war, the british goverment said that until america has a goverment, then they will continue to tax their goods. Typical.
Anyway, arctic fox's are not endangers; basically all the main speices of the foxes are not endangered because they are God's work and masterpeices of nature, their numbers are not effected. And to the best of my knowledge, since blue foxes are the same as arctic foxes, they are not protected. _________________
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Wisefox Wiseheart

Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 917 Location: Canada
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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| TheWhiteFox wrote: | | Anyway, arctic fox's are not endangers; basically all the main speices of the foxes are not endangered because they are God's work and masterpeices of nature, their numbers are not effected. And to the best of my knowledge, since blue foxes are the same as arctic foxes, they are not protected. |
I don't think I could of said it better myself. |
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Kirbot Stray Dog

Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Posts: 194 Location: Nj
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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| TheWhiteFox wrote: | | It's sad that blue foxes are less than one percent of the arctic fox population but they still are not protected by any hunting or trapping laws. You think such a rare thing should be protected. |
Hmm, that is odd, you would think something like that would be protected _________________ Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open. Sir James Dewar |
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Evergreen Family Dog

Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 342 Location: In the woods, hiding
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ZerdaFennecus Fox
Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 69
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Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:13 pm Post subject: |
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only a species would be protected and the blues are the same species. That would be like protecting blue doe from hunts. A blue doe is rare like that, not blue in color but so named cuz the doe has antlers and basicaly a hermaphrodite so couldn't usualy breed anyway. But there's other examples like white black bears.
I knew the term blue fox because that's what the fur farms call their artics. A study done on taurine deficiency on foxes was done on reds and blues. And mentioned somewhere of them trying to cross blues and reds but it doesn't really work. So knew blue was arctic but didn't know it was a special type.
I wonder then if the fur farm blue is really the blue fox farmed for that trait and not just an artic. Probably like with the silver fox. |
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Hikage Okami Team Dog

Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 607 Location: Nowhere under the snow arrow
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TheWhiteFox Head Adminstrator

Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 3312 Location: Arizona
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Wisefox Wiseheart

Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 917 Location: Canada
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Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Hikage Okami wrote: | | A fox being 'blue' sounds to me like a genetic deformity, similar to albinism, but that is just what I conclude from what is given on this page. I hadn't heard of them before. |
Deformity?.. that kinda makes it sound as if the color was the problem.
I have red hair,.... it that a deformity?... .. lol.. j/k.. anyway I understand where you are coming from, but I don't think it would be a deformity just cause of the color... perhaps someday research will tell us more.. but till then I am content to think its a rare color. |
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ZerdaFennecus Fox
Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 69
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Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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it's called a color mutation doesn't really make them mutants like people think of the term really just means a change of color from the norm.
and it's been studied just like color in dogs. People know what colors to breed to what to get what color if it's a dormant or rececive gean ect.
A list of articles on fox genetics
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and there's this one but there's fur pics the second half is foxes and mentions blues
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Really it's just a mutation a randome difference like a bird with a larger beak than normal then say there's a fire and only seeds can be found are hard the bird with the bigger beek will survie better being able to crack those seeds and pass it's geans on.
If global warming continues and there's less snow the blue foxes might be the ones to survive better.
It's called genetic diversity and mother nature's way of helping with species survival. but science calls it a mutation. |
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