The jewelry that cost Marie Antoinette her head
Mention canines to most people and thoughts of dogs usually come to mind. But did you know that your pet pooch belongs to animals of the family Canidae? More specifically, the subfamily Caninae, which includes dogs, wolves, foxes, jackals, and coyotes. Furthermore, several of these creatures rank among the rarest in the world, endangered species that live in some of the remotest corners of the planet. So if you thought your dog was unique, think again!
Intrigued? Click through and learn more about the Canidae family of animals.
Native to the central part of South America, the crab-eating fox does indeed feast on crustaceans. But it's also partial to tortoises, turtle eggs, bird eggs, insects, lizards, fruit, and carrion, making this omnivore a canny opportunist.
Also called the common jackal, this wolf-like animal is endemic to Eurasia, where it's widespread. The golden jackal is both a predator and a scavenger, an opportunistic forager with a diet that varies according to its habitat and the season.
The African wild dog is one of the world's most endangered mammals, and is listed as such on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, African wild dogs have diverse tastes, hunting in packs to chase down gazelles and other antelopes.
So-named for its distinctive black mane, the maned wolf is native to South America, specifically Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Paraguay. It's a solitary animal and increasingly rare, with the IUCN listing it as Near Threatened.
Small, heavy-set and super cute-looking, the common racoon dog, also called the Chinese or Asian raccoon dog, is widespread throughout its native East Asia. It's named for the resemblance of its masked face to that of the North American common raccoon.
Equally appealing in looks is the Japanese racoon dog. Distinguished by a coat of shorter hair, this canid features greatly in Japanese folklore as a jolly and mischievous creature, but somewhat gullible and absent-minded, too.
Listed as Endangered by the IUCN, the Ethiopian wolf is Africa's rarest carnivore. Habitat loss, subsistence agriculture, disease, and conflict with humans have all conspired to drive this elusive canine to near extinction.
Also described as Endangered on the IUCN Red List is the dhole. Sometimes called the Asiatic wild dog, this canid is native to southern and eastern Asia. The animals hunt in small packs, their diet including such diverse species as ibex and hare.
One of the most distinctive fox species due to its full face and narrow muzzle, the Tibetan fox calls the Tibetan Plateau, India's Ladakh plateau, Nepal, China, Bhutan, and the Indian state of Sikkim home. Widespread throughout its range, it's found up to elevations of about 17,400 ft (5,300 m).
The ears of this fox can reach a length of 5 in (13 cm) to provide it with exceptional hearing as well as an aide to distribute heat (thermoregulation). Found throughout the African savanna, the bat-eared box is considered the only truly insectivorous canid, with termites constituting up to 90% of its diet.
Native to Central and South America and listed by the IUCN as Near Threatened, the bush dog is rarely seen, even within its strongholds of Suriname, Guyana, and Peru.
A medium-sized canine native to eastern and southern Africa, the black-backed jackal is recognized by the mantle of grizzled black hair on its back that contrasts with its rust-colored body. These jackals are omnivores and aren't too picky about what they eat.
Widespread throughout North America and Central America, the gray fox is recognized for its long black tail stripe, a characteristic feature of this solitary animal.
Native to central and southern Africa, side-striped jackals are omnivores and scavengers and follow a seasonal menu, feeding largely on invertebrates during the wet season and small mammals, such as the springhare, in the dry months. They wear their eponymous stripe from elbow to hip.
Resident within the Arctic Circle, this canine species is totally at home in the frozen wilderness. Their thick fur coat keeps the fox's body at a cozy 104°F (40°C), while their long, fluffy tails act like a woolen blanket.
At the other extreme, the culpeo, or Andean fox, calls the temperate rainforests, deserts, chaparrals, and plateaus of western South America home.
The much-maligned gray wolf is native to North America and Eurasia. A species especially known for its social nature, expressive behavior, and cooperative game hunting, the gray wolf has long held a place in the folklore, religion, and mythology of numerous cultures.
A subspecies of gray wolf native to Europe and Asia, the Eurasian wolf is far more melodious than its North American cousin, the howls louder and more protracted. Like the gray wolf, this animal is of great cultural significance in many countries across its range.
Six of the eight Channel Islands of California are the only places on Earth where you'll find the generally nocturnal island fox (it is more active during the day in summer than it is in winter). Its scarcity is why this fox is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Though it strongly resembles the golden jackal, the African wolf is actually a close relation of the gray wolf and the coyote. It's native to much of the northern and western regions of the continent.
Another diminutive creature with huge ears, the fennec fox also uses them to dissipate heat and to sound out hidden prey. The fennec is the smallest fox species and is perfectly suited for the desert environments of North Africa.
Found in Australia, the dingo is a robust, medium-sized canine that possesses a lean, hardy body adapted for speed, agility, and stamina. These golden or reddish-colored canids may live alone (especially young males) or in packs of up to 10 animals, and have been known to roam vast distances in search of prey.
As its name implies, the pampas fox is found in the South American Pampas of central Argentina, Uruguay, eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. It resembles the culpeo in appearance but the species itself is distinguished by the fact that in the northern part of its range, the pampas fox is more richly colored than in the southern part.
Near Threatened according to the IUCN, the Sechuran fox is named for one of its habitats, the Sechura Desert in northwestern Peru. It's more widely found within a narrow region west of the Andes Mountains running along the coastline of Peru and southern Ecuador.
One of the most iconic animals native to North America, the coyote is abundant and widely distributed through the continent and, like the gray wolf, enjoys a special place in American culture.
One of the rarest creatures in this gallery, Darwin's fox is found in just a few isolated pockets of Chile, including across the Nahuelbuta National Park. Darwin's fox was first collected from San Pedro Island off the coast of Chile by the naturalist Charles Darwin in 1834, and today is listed as Endangered by the IUCN.
Endemic to Brazil, the hoary fox is nocturnal in its dining habits, emerging at dusk to feed primarily on small invertebrates such as insects. It's a rare species and placed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Catching a glimpse of a Himalayan wolf requires an ascent of above 13,000 ft (4,000 m) over the Tibetan Plateau and the mountains of Central Asia. Superbly adapted to a low-oxygen environment, this wolf species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
Small and catlike with soft fur and a long bushy tail, the South American gray fox is endemic to the southern parts of Argentina and Chile, primarily Patagonia and Tierra Del Fuego, where it's sometimes called the Patagonian fox. Currently widespread, its numbers are nonetheless in decline due to the fact that it has long been hunted for its pelt.
Found in steppes, semi-deserts, and deserts in Central Asia, the corsac fox can forego food and water for extended periods of time. Incidentally, the word "corsac" is derived from the Russian name for the animal, korsák.
To many people, the red fox is likely the most familiar fox species listed in this gallery. It's present across the entire Northern Hemisphere and is often seen in cities and suburbs hunting for food. It's another animal long celebrated in folklore, religion, and mythology.
Sources: (IUCN) (African Wildlife Foundation) (Geographical) (International Wolf Center)
See also: The world's most ridiculously adorable wild animals
Wild dogs and other curious canines
Unusual animals of the Canidae family
LIFESTYLE Wildlife
Mention canines to most people and thoughts of dogs usually come to mind. But did you know that your pet pooch belongs to animals of the family Canidae? More specifically, the subfamily Caninae, which includes dogs, wolves, foxes, jackals, and coyotes. Furthermore, several of these creatures rank among the rarest in the world, endangered species that live in some of the remotest corners of the planet. So if you thought your dog was unique, think again!
Intrigued? Click through and learn more about the Canidae family of animals.