WILD CANIDS
Apart from Man’s best friend, Canids are a family of mammals that also includes wolves, foxes, jackals, and coyotes.
The Canidae family currently counts 34 wild species and is widely distributed. With the right choice of tour, it is possible to admire these animals ethically in their natural habitat with a positive conservation impact.
TOP CANID-SEEING ETHICAL EXPERIENCES
SEE THE INTRIGUING MANED WOLF
Brazil holds the largest population of maned wolves; the government is working to protect the species by creating conservation areas and increasing public awareness.
JOIN AN AFRICAN SAFARI
African safaris provide the perfect opportunity to observe wild canids such as jackals, foxes, and wild dogs in their natural environment.
SPOT THE ARCTIC FOX
Hornstrandir is the best place in Iceland where arctic foxes can be seen in the wild, making it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
GO ON A WOLF TRACK
There are many hotspots throughout North America and Europe - Yellowstone National Park, the Carpathian mountains and the Alps to name a few - to try spotting herds of grey wolves.
MEET THE WILD CANIDS OF INDIA
The Tibetan Wolf, Indian Wolf, Golden Jackal, Dhole, Indian Fox, Tibetan Sand Fox, and Red Fox are the seven species of wild canids that can be found in India; to which the striped hyena can be added.
Where to see wild canids?
ALL WILD CANIDS BLOG ARTICLES & ETHICAL TOURS RECOMMENDATIONS
GREY WOLF
The grey wolf is the ancestor of the domestic dog and a large canine native to North America, Europe, and Asia. As their name indicates, they are typically grey in colour but can range from nearly pure white to a reddish grey or black. They are social animals, living in packs of 2 to 30 individuals and communicating with each other through barks, howls, and facial expressions.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Canis lupus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
RANGE
Eurasia, North America
ARCTIC FOX
Arctic foxes are resourceful and have adapted to the coldest and harshest environments on the planet. In addition to their diet of small mammals, birds and eggs, they also feast on berries, seaweed and insects to supplement their diet.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Vulpes lagopus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
RANGE
Arctic
FENNEC
Fennec foxes are small, desert–dwelling mammals native to North Africa, the Sinai Peninsula, Southwest Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula. They are the smallest members of the fox family, characterized by their large ears, short snouts, and sandy-coloured fur. Their ears act as a cooling system and help the foxes to detect prey, while their thick fur keeps them warm at night.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Vulpes zerda
IUCN STATUS
Least concern
RANGE
North Africa
COYOTE
The coyote is a small canine native to North America and is found throughout the United States and Mexico. They are renowned for their intelligence and adaptability, allowing them to thrive in both rural and urban areas in close proximity to humans.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Canis latrans
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
RANGE
North America
RED FOX
The red fox is a small, swift and cunning carnivore that can be found in many different habitats around the world. Known for its beautiful red fur and its large, bushy tail, it is a stunning creature to observe in the wild.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Vulpes vulpes
IUCN STATUS
Least concern
RANGE
Northern hemisphere, Australia
JACKAL
There are four different species of jackals, all closely related to the wolf, fox, and coyote. They vary in size and colouration, ranging from tan to black, with a white underbelly. Jackals are relatively small animals, typically weighing between 8 and 10 kg and measuring between 60 and 80 cm in length.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Lupulella mesomelas (black-backed jackal), Lupulella adusta (side-striped jackal), Canis aureus (golden jackal)
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
RANGE
Africa (black-backed and side-striped jackals), Eurasia (golden jackal)
LYCAON
Also called ‘African wild dog‘, lycaons are found in the savannas and woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. They are recognized by their distinctive pelage, which is a variation of brown, black and white, and their white-tipped bushy tail.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Lycaon pictus
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
RANGE
Africa
MANED WOLF
The mane wolf is a species of wild dog native to South America. It is the largest canid of its range and is easily recognized by its reddish-brown fur and slender, black legs. Its narrow snout and large ears give it a fox-like appearance, but the maned wolf is not a fox, nor is it related to wolves contrary to what its name indicates.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Chrysocyon brachyurus
IUCN STATUS
Near Threatened
RANGE
South America
RACCOON
Mostly found in North America, raccoons live in a variety of habitats, from wooded areas to urban areas. Their distinctive black and white masks and ringed tails make them easily recognizable, and they are known for their intelligence and curiosity. Raccoons are omnivorous, and they use their dexterous front paws to forage for food in the wild.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Procyon lotor
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
RANGE
North America, Central Europe, Caucasus, Japan
HYENAS
In reality, hyenas are not part of the dogs’ family, nor the cats’ family. The four species of hyenas are the striped hyena, the “giggly” spotted hyena, the brown hyena, and the aardwolf. They are a fascinating carnivorous species, known for their menacing laughs and fierce hunting abilities.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Crocuta crocuta (spotted hyena), Parahyaena brunnea (brown hyena), Proteles cristata (aardwolf), Hyaena hyaena (striped hyena)
IUCN STATUS
From Least Concern to Near Threatened depending on species
RANGE
Africa (+Middle East and Asia for the striped hyena)
