Canis – Wolves & dogs
Some of the biggest and most social of their family; live in groups and packs to take prey larger than themselves
Domestic dogs and true wolves species belong to the genus Canis. Apart from their size, all members of this genus are alike in their anatomy and bones. They are primarily hunters or hunter-scavengers, having strong, pointed, recurved, and gasping canines to tear animal substances. Their claws are a non-retractile, blunt, and strong fit to dig burrows.
Fur is double-coated with soft woolly under and a longer, coarser outer coat. Tails are hairy, reaching the ground. Their senses of touch and taste are not well developed, but they have excellent smell, sight, and hearing senses. Extreme sociability separates this genus from other canids; thus, small groups and nuclear families are indicative of ecological disruption.
Species in this genus
Ethiopian wolf
The world’s rarest canid and Africa’s most endangered carnivore, with fewer than 500 individuals remaining
African wolf
A genetic mix of 72% grey wolf & 28% Ethiopian wolf was classified as an African variant of the golden jackal until 2015!
Black-backed jackal
Has two subspecies populations, separated by 900km (560 miles)
Coyote
They can even sometimes reproduce in huge numbers, which becomes necessary to be regulated as they also carry many diseases, including rabies.
Golden jackal
Exceptional hunters, but they can feed solely on grass and survive in the absence of prey
Side-striped jackal
Larger than its jackal relatives and easily distinguishable with white stripes on the sides
Wolf
The howl of each wolf is different
Dog
Man’s best friend is a domesticated descendant of an ancient, extinct wolf
