DOGS, WOLVES, AND FOXES166
TOY DOGS
Dog breeders have created
dogs of all sizes and shapes
by mating dogs with unusual
features, such as short legs
or small ears. The smallest
breeds, known as toy dogs,
have become quite different
from their distant ancestors,
the wolves. A chihuahua, one of
the smallest recognized breeds,
can weigh less than 2 lbs (1 kg).
RED FOX
Few animals are as adaptable as the red
fox, which lives in almost every country
north of the equator. Red foxes eat almost
anything, including insects and fish. The
fox springs up and pounces on its prey like
a cat. This creature’s legendary cunning
helps it survive in suburban yards and
city dumps. In towns and cities, it feeds
on scraps from garbage cans.MANED WOLF
The maned wolf is being bred
in zoos and parks in an attempt
to save it from extinction.YORKSHIRE TERRIER
This small dog measures only
7 in (18 cm) in height. It is
an agile runner, originally
bred for catching rats.PANTING
When a dog becomes hot, it cannot lose
heat from its skin because it does not
have sweat glands on its body. Instead,
the dog opens its mouth and pants to
give off heat from its mouth and tongue.CONSERVATION
The long-legged, maned wolf from South America is one of
many members of the dog family that are officially listed as in
danger of extinction. Many wolves and foxes, including the
gray wolf, have been hunted not only for their beautiful fur,
but also because they sometimes attack farm animals. One of
the greatest threats to the dog
family is the loss of the natural
areas where they live, which
are now used for farmland,
houses, and factories.CRAB-EATING FOX
The crab-eating fox, also
called the common zorro, is
from South America. It eats
many kinds of food, including
crabs, as it forages along the
coast. Other common zorros
live far inland in woods and
grassland and have never
even seen a crab.Crossbreeds are domestic dogs that are not
pedigree—such as the three dogs shown here.COYOTE
The North American coyote is closely
related to wolves, jackals, and domestic
dogs. Like most dogs, the female is pregnant
for nine weeks before giving birth to about five
puppies. The puppies feed on their mother’s milk
for up to seven weeks. After the first four weeks they also
eat food regurgitated, or brought up, by their parents. Coyotes were
thought to live alone, but we now know that some form small packs.
A female
coyote usually has
one litter of puppies
each year.PUPPIES
Young dogs, such as the Labrador puppy shown here,
spend much of their time in play—tumbling, jumping,
and biting and shaking things. These games help the
young dog develop hunting skills for adult life.Find out more
Animals
Animal senses
Cats
Conservation
and endangered species
Farm animals
Mammals
Mountain wildlife