When we think of animals with orange hair, a few key species come to mind. In this article, we’ll explore which animals naturally exhibit orange fur or hair and what causes their distinctive coloring.
Quick Answer
The animal most well known for having orange or reddish fur is the red fox. Red foxes have rusty red or orange coats as adults. Other animals with orange hair include red pandas, squirrels, some lemurs, and certain domestic animals like orange tabby cats.
The Red Fox
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is likely the first animal that comes to mind when thinking of species with orange or red coats. Red foxes exhibit a range of color variation, but most have reddish-orange fur across the back, sides, and head. Their tails, legs, and underside are often lighter cream or white.
The red fur coloration helps camouflage foxes in their natural habitats like woodlands, forests, grasslands, and deserts. When hunting at night, the red hue blends in with soil and vegetation. During the day, their coloring matches dried leaves and grasses.
Red foxes occur across most of North America, Europe, and Asia. There are 45 subspecies of red fox with subtle variations in coat color and patterns. For example, North American red foxes tend to be more brightly colored than those in Europe and Asia.
Red Pandas
The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is another mammal famed for its rusty orange fur. These raccoon-like animals are native to the Himalayas and mountain forests of China. They have thick, reddish-brown fur across the body and black legs, ears, and chest.
A red panda’s bushy, ringed tail accounts for up to 60% of its total body length. Like foxes, the red panda’s fur provides camouflage in forest habitats strewn with lichens, moss, and fallen leaves.
Red pandas are classified as endangered by the IUCN. Habitat loss puts pressure on the remaining populations in the wild. Their stunning red coats have also made them victims of the illegal wildlife trade.
Squirrels
Certain species of squirrels also exhibit orange-red coats. The most vibrant example is the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) found across Eurasia. These small tree squirrels have deep reddish-brown fur on the back and lighter orange underparts.
In North America, the Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii) shows a mix of gray, orange, and white. Chickarees, another name for this species, have reddish coats on the sides, shoulders, and hips. These squirrels inhabit coniferous forests of the western United States and Canada.
The unusual abert’s squirrel (Sciurus aberti) of the Southwestern U.S. also has gray fur mixed with orange on the ears, feet, and belly. Tufted ears accented with yellow-orange hair give this species a distinctive look.
Lemurs
A number of lemur species native to Madagascar have orange or red coats. These include the red-fronted lemur (Eulemur rufifrons), red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer), and Sanford’s brown lemur (Eulemur sanfordi).
Like other reddish mammals, lemurs’ orange fur provides camouflage as they leap through the trees. It also serves as a signaling color to other members of their troop.
Lemurs use their bushy, fox-like tails to communicate. Waving the tail over their bright fur helps relay signals and warnings.
Domestic Animals
Through selective breeding, humans have produced domestic animals that exhibit orange hair and fur. The most common example is the orange tabby cat. These cats have orange fur in distinctive “M” shaped patterns on the forehead and stripes on the cheeks, legs, and tail.
Other domestic animals like dogs, cows, goats, guinea pigs, and horses can also have orange coats. However, the color is less common than in cats and requires specialized breeding.
What Causes Orange Fur?
The orange hair seen in foxes, red pandas, squirrels, and other species comes from two pigments. Pheomelanin produces red and yellow hues, while eumelanin contributes brown and black.
Animals with orange coats have a higher ratio of pheomelanin to eumelanin in their fur. Genetics controls the production of these pigments.
Environmental factors like temperature can also affect pigment ratios. Colder climates tend to produce animals with more eumelanin for darker fur. Orange coats are more common in milder habitats.
Conclusion
While many mammals have brown, black, or gray fur, a select few species exhibit vibrant orange coats. Red foxes and red pandas are the most iconic orange-furred animals, but certain squirrels, lemurs, and domestic animals also share the distinctive coloring.
Their reddish fur provides camouflage in the wild and is produced by a higher ratio of pheomelanin pigment. Next time you spot a flash of red-orange in the woods or forest, it just might be one of these uniquely hued species.
Summary Table
| Animal | Natural Habitat | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Red fox | Forests, woodlands, grasslands | North America, Europe, Asia |
| Red panda | Mountain forests | Himalayas, China |
| Red squirrel | Coniferous forests | Eurasia |
| Douglas squirrel | Coniferous forests | Western North America |
| Lemurs | Tropical forests | Madagascar |
