The "silver" fox, also marketed as a Siberian fox, is a color phase (or specially produced mutation) of the red fox that, after 50 years of experiments in the Soviet Union and Russia, is widely available via the exotic pet trade.
Naturally occurring silver foxes are somewhat rare, comprising only 8% of Canada's wild red fox population. Those seen in captivity, like this male given refuge at Black Pine, are typically outcasts of the pet trade.
Since arriving in September 2012, this male is as yet unnamed and his age is unknown. He was brought to Black Pine by a conservation officer with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, safely captured while wandering around a residential neighborhood at a northeast Indiana lake.
After consulting with the state licensing agent Black Pine determined if the fox was kept as a "pet", which is likely given the animal's lack of fear of humans, he was apparently not owned legally. With no other apparent options, Black Pine is happy to be able to provide the animal a new forever home.
Foxes have grown in popularity within the exotic pet trade because of their beauty, curious and playful nature, and similarity to dogs. They are, however, very smelly and will continuously scent mark their home by urinating and defecating often and in obvious places. They are often destructive and skittish, nervous animals, so do not do well in people's homes around other high-energy animals, or children. Foxes often kill cats, too, so can pose a danger to both fellow "pets" and keepers.
InfoBox - Silver Fox
Status: Least concern.
Diet: Beef, venison, poultry, fruit, vegetables, dog food.
Life span: 10 to 15 years in captivity.
Weight: 8 to 15 pounds.
Native habitat: Canada and northern U.S.