Wild Dogs; Coyotes, Foxes, Wolves

Dogs are omnivorous placental mammals. The dog family includes wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, wild and domestic dogs.Wolves are the largest species of dogs, while certain species of domestic dogs are the smallest. Dogs are known for their sharp sense of smell and hearing. The frequency range of hearing in dogs is much higher than in humans.

Coyotes

coyotes (prairie wolves or brush wolves) are the fastest runners of all wild dogs.They can run up to 64 km in an hour. They live in the grassy plains, forests and mountains of North America. Coyotes are highly social animals. They form strong family bonds and live in packs of three to seven members in small territories. A group usually has a breeding pair and their pups and few other associates. After a female gives birth to babies, both the male and female take care of the pups by feeding and protecting them.

Foxes

Foxes are the smallest wild dogs. They have short legs, an elongated narrow muzzle, erect triangular ears, thick fur, and a long bushy tail. They have black triangular markings between the eyes and the nose, and the tip of the tail is often a different color from the rest of the body. Foxes are found throughout the Americas, Eurasia and Africa, inhabiting mostly forests,chaparral and desert regions. Foxes mostly feed on invertebrates and small mammals, reptiles such as snakes and amphibians, scorpions, grasses, berries, fruits and more.

Wolves

Wolves are closely related to jackals and the domestic dogs. They have strong jaws, powerful legs and bushy tails. They are found in some regions of North America, Europe and Asia. Wolves are highly social animals. They live in close-knit groups called packes. A pack consists of a breeding pair-the alpha pair-its offspring and a few unrelated wolves. The members of a pack care for the young together, and hunt together. Though wolves are not known to attack humans, they are considered one of the most fearsome members of the animal kingdom.

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