Why is a fox orange?

A fox’s orange coat is due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Specifically, the orange color is caused by a pigment called pheomelanin, which is produced by specialized cells in the fox's skin. The amount and distribution of pheomelanin is controlled by genes, and can vary between different species and individuals within a species.

In addition to genetics, environmental factors such as diet and exposure to sunlight can also affect the color of a fox's coat. For example, a diet rich in certain carotenoids (pigments found in plants and animals) can enhance the orange coloration of a fox's fur, while exposure to sunlight can cause the fur to fade over time.

Overall, the orange color of a fox's coat is a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the production and distribution of pheomelanin in the fox's skin.