Sierra Nevada Red Fox Identification Report a Sighting Red Fox, Gray Fox, or Coyote? Red Fox Tail tip: WHITE Tail length: LONG (nearly body length) Back of ear: BLACK Body color varies GrayFox Tail tip: BLACK Tail length: LONG (nearly body length) Back of ear: ORANGE Back and tail generally silvery gray Coyote Tail tip: BLACK Tail length: SHORT (much shorter than body length) Back of ear: ORANGE