Canines
The canine family includes dogs, wolves, foxes, coyotes, dingoes
and jackals. Though dogs were probably the first animals to be
domesticated by humans, wild canines can still be found in every
part of the world. Wolves and wild dogs live in large packs, while
the other canines are solitary or live in small groups.
The Living Planet
Q What makes canines good hunters?
A All canines have a keen sense of hearing
and smell. As a result, they can locate prey
a long way off. Wild canines are very
determined hunters, willing to chase prey
over long distances. They also have several
sharp teeth used for killing, feeding and
defence. Canines use their chisel-like incisors
for cutting food and grooming. These are
located in the front of the mouth. Next to
them is a pair of dagger-shaped canine teeth
used for fighting and hunting.
Q Can canines run fast?
A Canines can run extremely fast and have
a lot of stamina. This ability is due to their
long legs and ankle bones. Canines have a
highly flexible backbone that can be arched
as they run. Their feet are small, and all their
toes have strong but blunt claws. Their small,
light feet and limbs help them to
run more efficiently than other
animals with larger
legs. Wolf packs and
hunting dogs are
known to chase their
prey for hours.
They finally
overtake
animals
that may
be faster
than them
over short
distances.
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Quick Q’s:
1. Which is the fastest
canine in the world?
Greyhounds are the
fastest canines in the
world. They have been
known to run at speeds
of up to 70 kilometres
per hour (44 miles per
hour). African hunting
dogs are also very fast
and can maintain
speeds of 50–60
kilometres per hour
(31–37 miles per hour)
for very long distances
while chasing prey.
2. What is unique
about fennecs?
Fennecs are the
smallest canines. These
tiny foxes are only 65
centimetres (2 feet)
long from the top of
their ears to the tips of
their tails, and weigh
less than 1.5 kilograms
(3.3 pounds). These
desert-dwellers have
huge ears that help
them to dispel excess
heat from their body.
Desert fox
Fennecs live in the hot Sahara desert. Their coats can
repel sunlight in the day and conserve heat at night.
Fierce hunters
Wild African hunting dogs
are feared by other
animals because they do
not give up the chase.
Q What is the structure of a wolf pack?
A Wolf packs have a breeding male, called
the alpha, which rules over the others in
the pack. He asserts his authority by using
dominant body posture, facial displays,
growls, barks, scent marking and at times,
even fighting. The alpha’s mate, called beta,
is the second in command.
Q Do foxes live in groups like wolves?
A Some species of fox, like the red fox,
live in small groups, but foxes usually hunt
alone. A male and female fox pair defends
the territory in which they hunt and raise
their young. Sometimes several female foxes,
usually a mother and her daughters, live in
a group with a single male. The younger
adults in a red fox group act as helpers,
assisting the breeding pair in defending
their territory and caring for the young.
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