The term "coat color" refers to the appearance or pigmentation of an animal's fur, hair or coat. It is determined by genetics and can be influenced by environmental factors such as diet, health and exposure to sunlight. Coat colors vary widely among different breeds and species of animals, ranging from solid shades like black, brown, white or gray to more complex patterns such as spots, stripes, rosettes or patches. In some cases, coat color can also be used for identification purposes in certain animal populations.