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:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Mammalia
- Order: Carnivora
- Family: Canidae
The Family Canidae contains the following subgroups:- Genus: Atelocynus (short-eared dog)
- Genus: Canis (dogs, wolves, jackal)
- Genus: Cerdocyon (crab-eating fox)
- Genus: Chrysocyon (maned wolf)
- Genus: Cuon (dhole)
- Genus: Dusicyon (Falkland Island wolf)
- Genus: Lycaon (African wild dog)
- Genus: Nyctereutes (raccoon dog)
- Genus: Otocyon (bat-eared fox)
- Genus: Pseudalopex (South American foxes)
- Genus: Speothos (bush dog)
- Genus: Urocyon (gray foxes)
- Genus: Vulpes (foxes)
Refrences:
- Burnie D, Wilson DE. 2001. Animal. London: Dorling Kindersley. 624 p.
