Canidae, from Latin canis (“dog”), in reference to the fact that all the members of this family are dog-related animals.

Common names of members

Domestic dogs, wolves, foxes, jackals.

Distribution 

All continents except Australia with no native species and Antarctica.

Size

They vary in size from 24 cm long and 600 g to 2 m and 79 kg.

Morphology

They have a similar basic form, as exemplified by the gray wolf (Canis lupus), although the relative length of muzzle, limbs, ears, and tail vary considerably between species. With the exceptions of the bush dog, the raccoon dog and some domestic dog breeds, canids have relatively long legs and lithe bodies, adapted for chasing prey. The tails are bushy and the length and quality of the pelage vary with the season. All of them are digitigrade (stands with its toes on the ground), meaning they walk on their toes. The tip of the nose is always naked, as are the cushioned pads on the soles of the feet.

Habitat & Ecology

All terrestrial habitat: grassland, forest, mountain, desert, etc.

Diet

Although all of them have a meat-based diet, most of them are omnivore (eating small and big vertebrates, root vegetables, berries, fruits etc), with a few restricted carnivores (eating only small and big vertebrates and dead animals).

Reproduction 

Most canids reproduce once per year. The litter size varies among species ranging from 4 to 20 babies. The newborn are protected in a den which is dug by their parents. Both male and female will hunt food for the offspring.

Species known in Hong Kong

0

Total species known

39

Species in the collection

2

Species in Hong Kong

0

Reference

Mivart, G. J. (1890). Dogs, jackals, wolves, and foxes : a monograph of the Canidæ. R.H. Porter : Dulau.

Nowak, R. M. (2005). Walker's Carnivores of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press.