Canidae

Canidae (from Latin, canis, “dog”) is a biological family of dog-like carnivorans, known as canids. This family includes three subfamilies: Caninae, Borophaginae, and Hesperocyoninae. Canids include domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, foxes, and jackals. They are found on all continents except Antarctica and vary in size from the gray wolf to the fennec fox. Canids typically have long muzzles, upright ears, and bushy tails, and they are mostly social, forming family units or packs.

In general, only the dominant pair in a pack breeds, with parental care provided within the family group. Their reproductive traits include monogamy, paternal care, and unique mating behaviors. Canids usually have one oestral period during their breeding season, with gestation lasting 50 to 65 days, depending on species size. Litters can range from one to 16 pups, which require extensive care before they can survive independently. Young canids learn survival skills over a year, with some species having specific patterns of male and female dispersal from their natal packs.