How to Identify Canidae

Canidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Carnivora, class Mammalia. The family contains 30 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Canidae Species

How to identify Vulpes bengalensis (Shaw, 1800)

Vulpes bengalensis (Shaw, 1800)

Vulpes bengalensis (Shaw, 1800)

Vulpes bengalensis, the Bengal fox, is a small canid endemic to the Indian subco…

How to identify Otocyon megalotis (Desmarest, 1822)

Otocyon megalotis (Desmarest, 1822)

Otocyon megalotis (Desmarest, 1822)

Bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) is an African canid with large ears, adapted t…

How to identify Lycalopex culpaeus (Molina, 1782)

Lycalopex culpaeus (Molina, 1782)

Lycalopex culpaeus (Molina, 1782)

Lycalopex culpaeus, the culpeo, is a medium-sized South American canid found acr…

How to identify Vulpes velox (Say, 1823)

Vulpes velox (Say, 1823)

Vulpes velox (Say, 1823)

Vulpes velox, the swift fox, is a small North American prairie canid known for i…

How to identify Vulpes zerda (Zimmermann, 1780)

Vulpes zerda (Zimmermann, 1780)

Vulpes zerda (Zimmermann, 1780)

The fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) is the smallest canid, native to the Sahara desert…

How to identify Urocyon cinereoargenteus (Schreber, 1775)

Urocyon cinereoargenteus (Schreber, 1775)

Urocyon cinereoargenteus (Schreber, 1775)

This is a detailed description of the physical traits, distribution, habitat, an…

How to identify Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815)

Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815)

Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815)

This is a full description of the taxonomy, physical traits, reproduction, and l…

How to identify Vulpes lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vulpes lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vulpes lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vulpes lagopus, the Arctic fox, is a small cold-adapted fox native to Northern H…

How to identify Lycalopex gymnocercus (G.Fischer, 1814)

Lycalopex gymnocercus (G.Fischer, 1814)

Lycalopex gymnocercus (G.Fischer, 1814)

Lycalopex gymnocercus, the Pampas fox, is a South American canid with recognized…

How to identify Lycalopex vetulus (Lund, 1842)

Lycalopex vetulus (Lund, 1842)

Lycalopex vetulus (Lund, 1842)

Lycalopex vetulus, the hoary fox, is a small endemic Brazilian canid with distin…

How to identify Speothos venaticus (Lund, 1842)

Speothos venaticus (Lund, 1842)

Speothos venaticus (Lund, 1842)

Speothos venaticus, the bush dog, is a small carnivorous canid found across Cent…

How to identify Vulpes corsac (Linnaeus, 1768)

Vulpes corsac (Linnaeus, 1768)

Vulpes corsac (Linnaeus, 1768)

Vulpes corsac, the Corsac fox, is a medium-sized steppe-dwelling fox native to c…

Browse all 30 Canidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Canidae?

Canidae animals belong to the Carnivora order in the Animalia kingdom. They use three distinct types of dens: basic, compact dens with two openings for short rest periods, complex dens with multiple openings, and dens built under rocks or in rock crevices. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Canidae?

Canidae is classified in the order Carnivora, class Mammalia, phylum Chordata. virgatus typically has a buff coat with dark brown markings, unlike the nominate subspecies O.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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