Canids are grouped in the family Canidae, which has a wide variety of different types of species. These animals have highly developed senses and have a long history of relationship with human beings, since within them are some of the main companion animals for us, domestic dogs.
From our site we want to present an article about this group so that you can learn about its diversity, characteristics, forms of feeding, places where they live and reproductive modes. So, we invite you to continue reading so that you know all the characteristics of canids and their species
Classification of canids
The family Canidae is divided into three subfamilies: Hesperocyoninae, Borophaginae and Caninae. However, the two first are extinct, so currently only the last one exists, where all living canids are grouped.
As is common in taxonomy for certain groups, there have been certain divergences. Next, we present the most accepted classification of canids [1, 2]:
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivores
Suborder : Caniformia
Family: CanidaeSubfamily
: Caninae Genders
:
- Atelocynus
- Canis
- Cerdocyon
- Chrysocyon
- Cuon
- Lycalopex
- Lycaon
- Nyctereutes
- Otocyon
- Speothos
- Urocyon
- Vulpes
Among all the genera there are 35 species and an important variety of subspecies, within which there are controversial relationships. Current canids have differences from the physical point of view, habitat preferences and customs.
Evolution of canids
The evolutionary relationships of canids have been full of controversy and uncertainty in some cases, since, for example, there is no total clarity of certain relationships. On the other hand, in the case of the wolves and the canids of South America, there are doubts as to whether they are a monophyletic group, that is, that they have all evolved from a common group. In addition, the phylogenetic aspect of certain species has not been specified.
Canids have a current distribution on all continents, except Antarctica, however, the fossil record indicates that the first members of the family Canidae originated in the Eocene in North America and remained until the end of the Miocene, when they migrated across the Bering Strait to Europe and Asia. Later, in the old world, the canids diverged into a wide variety of species with the acquisition, for example, of different types of habits. For its part, the radiation of these animals also occurred in America. It is estimated that, in general, the evolutionary history of the canids had three great radiations, two in the north of the new world and one in Eurasia [3]
Characteristics of canids
As we have mentioned, the varieties of species have different traits, however, there are certain common characteristics of canids that we can mention:
- Their adaptations favor them more for endurance than speed.
- They have a highly developed sense of smell and hearing, while sight is less developed than the previous ones.
- Anatomically, they are characterized by having a deep chest and long snouts.
- In general, they have moderately elongated legs.
- They usually have five toes on their front feet and four on their back feet, although there are some exceptions.
- They are digitigrade animals, that is, they walk supported on their toes and do not support the heel joint.
- The claws are not retractable, unlike the different types of cats.
- The staff bone of males is well developed.
- The facial region of the skull is elongated.
- They have between 38 and 42 teeth. The canines are large but unspecialized, the molars are used for grinding, and the carnassials are quite strong.
- They usually have fur all over their bodies, although its abundance varies between groups, as does its coloration.
- The size and weight also vary according to the species.
- Congregation habits change depending on the type of canid.
Types of canids
These animals form a diverse group of different genera, which distinguishes different types of canids:
Genus Atelocynus
The only species in this genus is the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis), a species that was classified in different genera, but it was eventually independently identified. It has a large head, relatively short legs with an interdigital membrane. Likewise, it presents dark colorations with different patterns between individuals. It is native to some South American countries.
Genus Canis
This genus is very varied and perhaps one of the best known because it includes different types of canids that are common to us, such as: wolves, dogs, coyotes, jackals and dingoes They are usually medium to large in size, with some exceptions, mainly domestic dogs. They have strong, well-developed teeth, ears, and short tails relative to body size. The coloring and coat is very varied.
Don't miss this other article where we talk about the Types of wolves if you want to know more about these incredible canids.
Genus Cerdocyon
This genus includes a type of canid known as crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), which is a species native to South America. Its appearance is similar to that of foxes, which includes a combination of colors such as gray, reddish, black and white. It is a small to medium animal.
Genus Chrysocyon
The Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is the only species belonging to this genus. It is typical of South America and is considered the largest in the entire region, with a length of up to 1.3 meters and almost a meter in height. The long fur is reddish-gold in color.
Genre Cuon
Known as cuon or Asian wild dog (Cuon alpinus), it is native to several countries in the region and is the only species of the genus. It is characterized by having an average size of up to about 45 cm in length and 50 cm in height. Its snout is unusually thick and its hair coloration varies depending on the area it inhabits, being between rusty red, brownish gray or solid red.
Genus Lycalopex
This genus corresponds to some animals known as foxes, although they are not the only ones to which this common name is attributed. There are six species and all are endemic to South America:
- Red Fox (Lycalopex culpaeus)
- Chilote Fox (Lycalopex fulvipes)
- Patagonian gray fox (Lycalopex griseus)
- Pampas Fox (Lycaolepx gymnocercus)
- Peruvian Desert Fox (Lycaolepx sechurae)
- Common Fox (Lycalopex vetulus)
Coat colours, weight and size vary by species. In this sense, they can be gray with black or yellow, reddish or brownish gray, with weights ranging from 1.8 to 14 kg.
Lycaon Genre
In this genus we find only one type of canid, the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus). Its scientific name means 'painted or adorned wolf', which corresponds to its fur, which is black, brown, reddish and white, with the peculiarity that the pattern is unique to each animal. It measures a little over a meter long and the weight can be between 18 and 36 kg.
Genus Nyctereutes
The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is another type of canid and the only one in this genus. It is native to Asia and it is a peculiar animal that has features that make it seem between a small fox and a raccoon. The body color is yellowish brown in some cases, with combinations of black and white on the face. It measures up to about 68 cm in length and with a weight range between 4 to 10 kg.
Genus Otocyon
The eared-fox (Otocyon megalotis) is a canid native to some regions of Africa and the only species in the genus. Its particular feature is its huge ears that measure more than 10 cm, which are, without a doubt, outstanding and by which its common name is designated. Another peculiarity is its dentition, since it has a greater number of teeth than the rest of the mammalian animals. Its coloration is yellowish brown, combined in some areas with light and black tones.
Genus Speothos
Commonly known as mountain dog (Speothos venaticus), it is a species that lives from Panama to Argentina, although it also has a very uncertain in several countries. It is the only one of the genus and it is a small animal, measuring up to about 75 cm long and weighing up to 7 kg. The fur is brown and darkens towards the tail and legs, while a circle of light or white hairs forms near the throat.
Genus Urocyon
Within this canid genus there are two species, known as grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) andisland fox (Urocyon littoralis). The former extends from Canada to Venezuela, while the latter is endemic to the United States. The gray fox weighs from 2 to 9 kg and is characterized by a combination of white, black, red and gray colors. For its part, the islander is quite small, weighing on average about 2 kg, and is grayish-white in color with tan or yellow and white areas.
Genus Vulpes
This type of canid corresponds to the true foxes and here are 12 speciesdifferent, which are:
- Bengal fox (V. bengalensis)
- Blanford's fox (V. cana)
- Cape fox (V. chama)
- Corsac fox (V. corsac)
- Tibetan Fox (V. f errilata)
- Arctic Fox (V. lagopus)
- Kit Fox (V. macrotis)
- Pale Fox (V. pallida)
- Rüppel's fox (V. rueppellii)
- Swift Fox (V. velox)
- Red fox (V. vulpes)
- Fennec Fox (V. zerda)
Their sizes range from 5 to 11 kg. They are characterized by having long tails and abundant fur. They have a black triangular pattern between the eyes and the nose, in addition, the tip of the tail is a different color from the rest of the body. The distribution depends on the species, which can be in some of the continents.
Learn more about the different types of foxes in this other article.
Where do canids live?
As we have been able to read so far, canids are a fairly diverse group, which, although they have different common traits, also have very different ones. In this sense, the habitat is one of them, since these mammals can inhabit different types of ecosystems, from forests, savannahs and arid zones to the arctic.
Thus, for example, the short-eared dog lives in the Amazon jungle; wolves, depending on the species, inhabit from arid regions, forests, prairies to the arctic; coyotes inhabit deserts, grasslands, and both mountain slopes and forests; while true foxes are species of canids that live in various types of habitats, from desert to arctic.
What do canids eat?
Canids are included in the order of carnivores, since they depend on this type of diet to be properly nourished. However, many of them are not strict carnivores, but may be omnivorous, although meat is their main food source. On the other hand, it is also common for many to be scavengers, especially when there is a shortage of prey.
The animals that are part of the canids are hunters and, in certain cases, the main predators of the habitat where they develop. In general, they tend to support each other to hunt, so they tend to carry out this activity with the group or pack they make up.
How do canids reproduce?
All canids reproduce sexually and are placental mammals. The reproductive forms of canids vary depending on the groupHowever, we can mention some common aspects that usually distinguish them from other mammals. They are generally very territorial and particularly when there are young. Also They are monogamous and some even keep the same partner until one of them dies.
There are cases in which the ability to reproduce is a privilege for the alpha couple founding the pack. On the other hand, they tend to dig burrows or use an abandoned one for the female to bear the young. Once they are born, they care for the puppies for more than a year, which are usually numerous and totally dependent on their parents and even on the family group that helps with their care and feeding. Females commonly have only one oestrus during the reproductive period and gestation in small species is around 50 days, while in larger species 60 or a little more.
Examples of reproductive customs
To better understand the mentioned reproductive characteristics, let's see some examples:
- The wolves, for example, are monogamous and only the alpha couple reproduce; the rest of the pack can if they withdraw from the pack and start their own pack.
- The common or golden jackal (Canis aureus) has an interesting trait in its reproductive dynamics, which is that, in addition to being strictly monogamous, there are one or two helper members who, although sexually mature, do not reproduce, but remain with the parents to help care for the new litter.
- Finally, we can mention that in the group of true foxes we do find species that have more than one pair.
Conservation status of canids
Many species of canids are in some state of risk, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Threats are generally related to direct hunting of these animals, as well as habitat lossVarious groups have been considered dangerous and detrimental to domesticated animals, but this is associated with the reduction of natural prey, such as wolves, which are forced to attack livestock due to this situation.
Let's get to know some examples of specific cases of the conservation status of canids:
- Red fox (V. vulpes): near threatened.
- Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis): Endangered.
- Red Wolf (Canis rufus): critically endangered.
- Asian Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus): Endangered.
- Darwin's Fox: (Lycalopex fulvipes): Endangered.
- African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus): Endangered.
- Island Fox (Urocyon littoralis): Near Threatened.
- Wilddog (Speothos venaticus): Near Threatened.
- Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus): Near Threatened.
- Short-eared Dog (Atelocynus microtis): Near Threatened.
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