Canidae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Canidae are the biological family of carnivorous and omnivorous mammals that includes domestic dogs, wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, and many other lesser known extant and extinct dog-like mammals. A member of this family is called a canid. The Canidae family is divided into two tribes: Canini (related to wolves) and Vulpini (related to foxes). The two species of the basal Caninae are more primitive and do not fit into either tribe.
Species and taxonomy
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| Dhole |
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| African hunting dog |
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| Short-eared dog |
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| Maned wolf |
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| Bush dog |
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| Gray fox |
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| Bat-eared fox |
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| Raccoon dog |
FAMILY CANIDAE (Extant and recently extinct species)
Subfamily Caninae
- True dogs - Tribe Canini
- Genus Canis
- Genus Cuon
- Dhole, Cuon alpinus or Canis alpinus (also called Asian wild dog)
- Genus Lycaon
- Genus Atelocynus
- Genus Cerdocyon
- Genus Dusicyon †
- Genus Lycalopex (Pseudalopex)
- Genus Chrysocyon
- Genus Speothos
- True foxes - Tribe Vulpini
- Genus Vulpes
- Arctic fox, Vulpes lagopus
- Red fox, Vulpes vulpes (1 Mya to present)
- Swift fox, Vulpes velox
- Kit fox, Vulpes macrotis
- Corsac fox, Vulpes corsac
- Cape fox, Vulpes chama
- Pale fox, Vulpes pallida
- Bengal fox, Vulpes bengalensis
- Tibetan sand fox, Vulpes ferrilata
- Blanford's fox, Vulpes cana
- Rüppell's fox, Vulpes rueppelli
- Fennec fox, Vulpes zerda
- Genus Urocyon (2 Mya to present)
- Basal Caninae
- Genus Otocyon (probably a vulpine close to Urocyon)
- Genus Nyctereutes
CharacteristicsWild canids are found on every continent except Antarctica, and inhabit a wide range of different habitats, including deserts, mountains, forests, and grasslands. They vary in size from the fennec fox at 24 cm (9.4 in) long, to the gray wolf, which may be up to 2 m (6.6 ft) long, and can weigh up to 80 kg (180 lb).
With the exceptions of the bush dog, raccoon dog, and some domestic breeds, canids have relatively long legs and lithe bodies, adapted for chasing prey. All canids are digitigrade, meaning they walk on their toes. They possess bushy tails, nonretractile claws, and, excepting the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), a dewclaw on the front feet. They possess a baculum that, together with a cavernous body, helps to create a copulatory tie during mating, locking the animals together for up to an hour. Young canids are born blind, with their eyes opening a few weeks after birth. All living canids (Caninae) have a ligament analogous to the nuchal ligament of ungulates used to maintain the posture of the head and neck with little active muscle exertion; this ligament allows them to conserve energy while running long distances following scent trails with their nose to the ground. However, based on skeletal details of the neck, at least some Borophaginae (such as Aelurodon) are believed to have lacked this ligament. Only a few species are arboreal - the North American gray fox, the closely related Channel Island fox, and the raccoon dog habitually climb trees.
Social behavior
Almost all canids are social animals and live together in groups. In most foxes, and in many of the true dogs, a male and female pair work together to hunt and to raise their young. Gray wolves and some of the other larger canids live in larger groups called packs. African wild dogs have the largest packs, which can number as many as 90 animals. Some species form packs or live in small family groups depending on the circumstances, including the type of available food. In most species, some individuals live on their own. Within a canid pack, there is a system of dominance so that the strongest, most experienced animals lead the pack. In most cases, the dominant male and female are the only pack members to breed.
Canids communicate with each other by scent signals, by visual clues and gestures, and by vocalizations such as growls, barks, and howls. In most cases, groups have a home territory from which they drive out others. The territory is marked by leaving urine scent marks, which warn trespassing individuals.
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