THE DOG FAMILY 



(CanidcE) 

 HIvS family includes the Dogs, Wolves and Foxes. Their claws are non- 

 retractile, that is, they are fixed, and are not adapted for use as weapons. 

 All members of the Dog family walk upon the front portion of their feet, 

 or are digitigrade. They have five toes on the front feet, and four toes with 

 a rudimentary or imperfect toe above the others on the hind feet. 



The Dog Family is not characterized by many admirable traits in its 

 wild state. It is usually cunning, vicious and treacherous, and exhibits 

 no bravery except where there are numbers of its own kind. It is furtive 

 and sneaking, looking for every unfair advantage, and, once in danger, is 

 an arrant coward. 



From the commercial side, however, the family is entitled to respect. 

 The pelts of both Wolves and Foxes are of value, those of certain varieties of Foxes bringing 

 high prices. 



Photograph by \V. L. Kinley 



THE LONE SCOUT OF THE PLAINS 

 There is no more typical animal of the western plains than the Coyote 



Other Name. — Prairie Wolf. 



General Description. — Like a shepherd dog in size 

 and appearance. Nose sharp and slender ; ears fully 

 haired, erect, pointed. Pupil of eye circular. Tail of 

 moderate length, bushy. Hair long and thick, color 

 huffy gray and black above, below whitish. Carnassial 

 tooth (4th premolar) very large with extensive cutting 

 edge. 



COYOTE 

 Canis latrans Say 



Dental Formula. — Incisors, ~^ 



: Canines. r 



Pre- 



molars, --- : Molars, ~ — ?=:42. 



4—4 ' 3— i 



Pelage. — Sexes identical. Adults : Muzzle pale 

 fulvous grizzled with gray and black; top of head 

 grizzled gray ; ears deep fulvous sprinkled with black ; 

 upper parts buffy gray and black; under parts and 

 upper lip whitish ; throat hairs tipped with blackish : 



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