Description: Members of the Family Canidae include dogs, wolves, foxes, coyotes, jackels. The Family Canidae is referred to in general as the canids.
Canids belong to the Order Carnivora. They are medium in size when compared to other members of this order, they have long legs, a deep chest cavity, and a long snout. Canids are well adapted for running and can pursue prey over long distances. They do not feed exclusively on the prey they hunt but also feed on carrion and plant matter.
Some species of canids form social groups called packs, within which social rank is established in a hierarchy. Many species of canids are territorial.
Classification:
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Members of the Family Canidae: The Family Canidae is subdivided into the following families:
- Short-eared dog (Genus Atelocynus)
- Dogs, wolves, jackals (Genus Canis)
- Crab-eating fox (Genus Cerdocyon)
- Maned wolf (Genus Chrysocyon)
- Dhole (Genus Cuon)
- Falkland Island wolf (Genus Dusicyon)
- African wild dog (Genus Lycaon)
- Raccoon dog (Genus Nyctereutes)
- Bat-eared fox (Genus Otocyon)
- South American foxes (Genus Pseudalopex)
- Bush dog (Genus Speothos)
- Gray foxes (Genus Urocyon)
- Foxes (Genus Vulpes)
