Sierra Nevada Red Fox Identification

Red Fox, Gray Fox, or Coyote?

Red Fox

  • Tail tip: WHITE
  • Tail length: LONG (nearly body length)
  • Back of ear: BLACK
  • Body color varies
photo of Sierra Nevada red fox with arrows pointing at ears and tail tip

photo of running Sierra Nevada red fox with arrows pointing at ears and tail tip

GrayFox

  • Tail tip: BLACK
  • Tail length: LONG (nearly body length)
  • Back of ear: ORANGE
  • Back and tail generally silvery gray
photo of gray fox with arrows pointing at ears and tail tip

Coyote

  • Tail tip: BLACK
  • Tail length: SHORT (much shorter than body length)
  • Back of ear: ORANGE
photo of coyote