Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes, Regis Nossent,
Alberto Esquivel, Arne Lesterhuis, José Luis Cartes, Rebecca Zarza and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.
CANIDAE - FOXES AND DOGS
Four species of terrestrial omnivores with muscular body, slender snout and hairy tail. Though the incisors are small, the canines are long and prominent, the lower first molar and upper third molar combining to make a shearing surface. Canids kill by continually biting and shaking prey until it is incapacitated by its wounds. The feet are large with 5 digits on the forefoot (one digit is reduced and does not appear in prints) and 4 digits on the hindfoot - claws are non-retractile and always visible in prints if substrate is deep enough. Typically canids have a straight back and a moist nose, they walk on their toes and have highly-developed senses of smell, sight and hearing. They are social animals, occurring in pairs or small groups and show high intelligence and an advanced social structure.
Cerdocyon & Lycalopex: Foxes
Two species of fox in two different genera.
Chrysocyon: Maned Wolf
A single species of large, very long-legged, open-country fox.
Speothos: Bush Dog
A single species of small, stocky, short-legged forest dog.
REFERENCES
Diaz MM & Barquez RM 2002 - Los Mamíferos de Jujuy, Argentina - LOLA
Emmons LH & Feer F 1999 - Mamíferos de los Bosques Húmedos de América Tropical - FAN Bolivia
Redford K 1992 - Mammals of the Neotropics Vol 2: The Southern Cone Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay - University of Chicago Press.
