5 Wonderful North American Wild Canines

We sincerely hope that each of you, our readers, will greatly enjoy and appreciate this article we present to you about these 5 Wonderful North American Wild Canines. It was our pleasure to compile the information for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.

Certainly, of course, these few species listed herein represent only a portion of the natural wonders found throughout the region, though. Yet, it’s our belief that they serve as excellent representations of the marvels found here. Check out some of our many other articles for similar miracles.

Island Fox

Island Fox Facts

• Staring off this article about these 5 Wonderful North American Wild Canines we present the beautiful animal man calls the Island Fox.
• That short yet descriptive term serves as the most often used common name for this intriguing member of the Canidae Family. It also goes by a variety of others. These include Coast Fox, Island Gray Fox, Channel Islands Fox, and Insular Gray Fox, among many others.
• Among scientists, though, it’s typically referred to by its formal, technical name. Thankfully, that’s a relatively simple term to pronounce, at least as as such things go. That’s because this marvel of Nature and evolution holds the official moniker of the Urocyon littoralis.
• This animal received that name due to the efforts of the respected American researcher, Spencer Fullerton Baird. The respected naturalist made the first acknowledgement of the mammal as a separate and distinct species. He accomplished this noteworthy deed in 1857.
• The canine also holds a respectable position in the annals of science. This holds true due to the intriguing fact that a total of six known subspecies of the species also exist. Each of these subspecies additionally appears only within its own solitary, highly isolated habitat range.
• Four of those profit from federal protection. The Island Fox itself, however, does not. Presently, its population appears to be dwindling. That’s due to a combination of factors, both natural and artificial. The IUCN, therefore, lists it as Near Threatened on its published Red List.
• Most of the numerous dangers it faces arise from human activities. These include such diverse problems as introduced species, such as feral pigs. Other threats include diseases and parasites not native to its habitat. Its greatest threat, though, most likely consists of climate change.

Island Fox Physical Description

The Island Fox easily draws the attention of those few individuals fortunate enough to encounter it in the wild. It’s worth noting, however, that it does so for reasons other than sheer size. That’s due to the fact that this fox qualifies as the smallest of all related species in its part of the world.

In terms of head-and-body length, mature adults average just 19.0 – 19.5 in (48 – 50 cm). The tail, though, varies quite significantly between individuals. This part of its body averages anywhere between 4.5 – 11. 5 in (11 – 29 cm). The reasons for such dramatic variations remains undetermined.

Its shoulder height leaves the remarkaable creature small in stature. This varies, but averages 4.5 – 6 in (12 – 15 cm). It also displays the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In this case, the male attains a larger size than the female. Weights range from 2.2 – 6.2 lbs (1 – 2.8 kg).

It also strongly resembles its mainland cousin, the Gray Fox, in appearance. The greatest visual distinction between the two remains the length of the tail. The main source of that difference springs from the fact that the uniquely evolved Island Fox has fewer vertebrae in that appendage.

Its pattern of coloring mainly differs in the degree of shading. That’s due to the fact that, generally speaking, this animal manifests a coat that’s simultaneously slightly darker and duller than that close relative. The tail further distinguishes the two mammals in yet another manner.

This part of the animals’ body usually displays a black streak running most of its length. Its close relative lacks this distinctive marking. Otherwise, it manifests gray fur on its head, and a somewhat bright red on its sides. It additionally shows whitish fur on its throat, lower face, and stomach.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Canidae
• Genus: Urocyon
• Species: U. littoralis

Island Fox Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The amazing Island Fox evolved as native to an overall region of the globe already incredibly renowned for its remarkable abundance of fabulous flora and fauna. That’s true since it developed as endemic to North America. Sadly, though, it only appeas in an extremely limited portion of it.

This marvel makes its home in a specific portion of the United States. That region’s further part of the state of California. To be specific, it lives on six of the eight islands comprising the Channel Islands of California. Evidence also indicates that the mammal never lived anywhere else.

In fact, each of the six known subspecies appears on one separate island apiece. Both they, and the parent species, though, make the most of their situation. That’s because all of them live in every biomes present. These consist of temperate grassland, chaparral, and temperate forests.

Within these regions, though, the highly adapted animal displays a strong and clear preference for one type of habitat. That’s partially formed by the presence of a complex layer of vegetation, such as grasses. Yet the fox also favors the presence of copious woody, perennial fruiting shrubs.

The gorgeous Island Fox usually forms monogamous breeding pairs. It lives in modest dens, with the female typically giving birth to a litter of 1 -5 pups. These she bears in spring, with the young emerging in early summer. All live a principally nocturnal existence, with peaks at dusk and dawn.

Like its relatives, it evolved as a carnivore. Due to its slightly diminutive size, however, it generally hunts smaller prey. This typically includes such creatures as lizards, crabs, birds, and small mammals, such as deer mice. It also occasionally supplements this diet with eggs, insects, and fruit.

Alaskan Timber Wolf

Alaskan Timber Wolf Facts

• Next up in this compilation of 5 Wonderful North American Wild Canines struts the majestic creature appropriately named the Alaskan Timber Wolf.
• This majestic wild canine most frequently goes by the reasonably descriptive and informative common name largely due to its range. Yet, the mammal also has several other, alternate common names. The variants typically occur across various parts of its native range.
• These other general titles include such terms as Nothwestern wolf, Mackenzie valley wolf, Rocky Mountain Wolf, and Canadian Timber Wolf. Professional researchers, however, tend to use the scientific name for it. That’s the hard to pronounce term Canis lupus occidentalis.
• The creature earned that name at the hands of the Scottish explorer and naturalist, Sir John Richardson. That noted individual accomplished the first official recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He accomplished that scientifically noteworthy deed in the year 1829.
• Technically, this stunning product of evolution actually qualifies as a subspecies of the well-known Gray Wolf (Canis lupus). Regardless of which term one chooses to employ when discussing it, though, this work of Nature clearly stands out from the pack, so to speak.
• Fortunately, it appears to be maintaining a population base that’s both sizeable and stable. This trend further seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its natural range. The IUCN, therefore, presently has no liting for it on the organization’s Red List of Threatened Species.
• The wonderful Alaskan Timber Wolf nevertheless does faces several potential threats to its continued existence as a species, at least. Like all forms of life on earth today, the majority of those stem from the actions of man. They include the perils of habitat loss and climate change.

Alaskan Timber Wolf Physical Description

Although size isn’t the only impressive attribute of the gorgeous Alaskan Timber Wolf, by any means, it’s nonetheless among them. In point of fact, this marvelous work of Nature actually ranks as one of the largest of all known subspecies of the significantly better known Gray Wolf.

Like many mammals in the world, this marvel of evolution also displays a fairly moderate degree of the physiological trait of sexual dimorphism. In its specific case, though, this natural trait manifests itself in terms of pure physical size. That’s because males typically grow slightly larger.

Its sheer size also tends to vary across its entire range. Overall, however, certain patterns nonetheless predominate. Males typically range in weight from about 124 – 159 lb (56.25 – 72.1 kg). Females, meanwhile, average roughly 94 – 132 lb (42.6 – 59.9 kg) across the same range.

Both genders, however, despite the notable differences in weight, achieve roughly the same average height at the shoulder. This measurement ranges from about 26.8 – 36 in (68 – 91.4 cm). This, therefore, means that the males generally possess a slightly stockier build than the females.

In terms of general appearance, the two genders of the species achieve the same overall color pattern. That, though, varies widely among individuals, wholly regardless of gender. Individuals of the awesome Alaskan Timber Wolf all usually manifest long bushy tails, usually with a black tip.

The rest of the bodies of the mammal, however, display widely varied patterns of coloring. This design generally consists of random mixtures of various shades of gray and brown. Each also commonly displays light brownish-yellow markings appearing on both the faces and the undersides.

Variations in this natural pattern of shades and hues nevertheless do occur. When these do appear, they most commonly manifest in truly striking visual displays. These exceptional specimens sometimes possess such visually remarkable patterns as either pure white, brown, or pure black.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Order: Canidae
• Genus: C. lupus
• Species: C. l. occidentalis

Alaskan Timber Wolf Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Fortunately, the majestic Alaskan Timber Wolf inhabits a moderately broad swathe of the surface of the globe. That native range covers a respectabale portion of the continent of North America. This actually gives it a much more extensive range than the majority of its numerous relatives.

Understandably, as its most frequently used common name implies, part of that zone of habitation includes the state of Alaska, in the United States. But that’s only the beginning. That’s due to the surprising fact that, from there, that zone of habitation extends much further to the south.

That natural range additionally runs through much of the western provinces of Canada. The exception, though, is the prairie landscapes of the country. From there, however, the canine makes appearance across much of the northwestern portions of the continental United States.

Within that expansive range, though, the marvel displays an extraordinary adaptibility in its choice of habitats. That’s because it appears in such highly diverse regions as forests, tundra, prairie, grasslands, deserts, mountains, and grasslands. It even often appears in subarctic forest regions!

Like its many relatives around the world, the stunning Alaskan Timber Wolf evolved purely as a carnivore. It’s generally an active hunter, yet it does occasionally feed as an ambush predator. It also has a wide ranging diet, opportunistically including various creatures both large and small.

Its smaller prey frequently includes such species as ground squirrels, beavers, salmon, hare, voles, and lemmings. Yet it doesn’t hesitate to hunt prey roughly its own size, or even larger than itself. This even includes such prey as deer, mountain goats, sheep, moose, and even bison!

Arctic Fox

Arctic Fox Facts

• Our next choice to appear in this gathering of 5 Wonderful North American Wild Canines is the remarkable animal of the far north, the Arctic Fox.
• This magnificent mammal most frequently goes by the descriptive and informative common name that we’ve chosen to use herein. The gorgeous animal has several other general names, though. These include the titles of polar fox, snow fox, and the appropriate white fox.
• Within scientific circles, however, it’s perhaps much better known by its technical name. Fortunately for the average layperson, that’s a relatively simple term, as such things go. That’s because this beautiful wild canine holds the fairly short scientific name of Vulpes lagopus.
• The mammal received that easy to pronounce name due to the efforts of the renowned Swedish zoologist, Carl Linnaeus. He achieved the first recorded acknowledgement of it as a separate and distinct species. That scientifically noteworthy deed occurred in the year 1758.
• It’s also renowned for a surprising number of reasons. One remains, of course, its sheer beauty. Another distinction it holds is the fact that it’s the only land mammal endemic to the country of Iceland. Four known subspecies of this true wonder of Nature also currently exist.
• Despite the extreme harshness of its native habitat, the Arctic Fox seems to be in relatively good shape as a species. The stunning mammal appears to have a population base that’s both sufficient and stable. The IUCN thus presently lists it as Least Concern on its Red List.
• Nevertheless, it must be considered to be facing at least some threats to its continued existence as a species. Despite being legally protected in parts of its range, illegal hunting of it persists. It also now faces the same threat of ongoing climate change as all creatures do.

Arctic Fox Physical Description

The stunning Arctic Fox clearly impresses those few individuals fortunate enough to encounter one in the wild. That’s when they can even see it, of course, given its incredible camouflage. The animal achieves that impression due more to its remarkable appearance than its sheer physical size.

That’s because, despite its other wondrous attributes, it only represents an average-sized variety of fox. It also follows another pattern common to its numerous relatives around the world. That’s true since this amazing animal displays the physiological characteristic known as sexual dimorphism.

In its specific case, this evolutionary trait manifests itself in terms of pure physical size. More specifically, males attain a larger average body size than their female counterparts. That difference, however, ranks as comparatively minor. Otherwise, the genders remain virtually indistinguishable.

The males of the species reach an average head-and-body length measuring approximately 22 in (55 cm). Exceptional specimens, however, do sometimes reach 27 in (68 cm). The females, meanwhile, grow to a mean length equaling roughly 20 in (52 cm), excluding the fluffy tail, of course.

In both sexes of the breathtaking Arctic Fox, the tail develops as relatively long compared to the body. This appendage reaches an average length of 12 in (30 cm). The animal also grows to 9.8 – 11.8 in (25 – 30 cm) at the shoulder. Males average 7.7 lb (3.5 kg), while females average 6.4 lb (2.9 kg).

Yet its the undeniably mesmerizing coloring of the animal that typically garners the most attention. Although the young display dark colors, this changes quickly to a dazzling white as they mature. This shade covers the entirety of the body, all the way to the tip of the captivating animal’s tail.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Canidae
• Genus: Vulpes
• Species: V. lagopus

Arctic Fox Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The beautiful Arctic Fox evolved as native to a surprisingly large region of the surface of the world. As its very name implies, this zone of habitation includes the Arctic Circle. But it’s not restricted to that area, though. It appears in the more northern portions of Europe, Asia, and North America.

That range even includes such extremely isolated locations as Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard, and other islands located in the Barents Sea. In Canada, it appears as far south as Hudson Bay. The animal was also previously introduced to the Aleutian Islands southwest of the state of Alaska.

Its habitat consists almost exclusively of regions of Arctic tundra. The biological wonder also favors sections of pack ice. The animal does manage to survive in a few other habitats, though. These mainly include boreal forests in such places as the Kenai Peninsula and several in Canada.

Within this type of environment, the intrepid canid also appears at a surprising range of altitudes. Many observed individuals live at altitudes of up to 9,800 ft (3,000 m) above sea level. Other specimens, though, have been spotted on collections of sea ice very close to the North Pole itself.

Protected by its warm, dense fur, the perfectly adapted Arctic Fox evolved as a pure predator. It feeds opportunistically, consuming virtually any prey it finds. This nourishment typically includes such species as voles, lemmings, birds, hares, eggs, small fish, and even carrion when available.

Intriguingly, it possesses very few known natural predators itself, despite its comparatively small size. The few creatures that do routinely prey on it include wolves, bears, and golden eagles in some parts of its range. In the wild, few examples live even one year, but some live as long as 11 years.

Red Wolf

Red Wolf Facts

• Next up in this listing of these 5 Wonderful North American Wild Canines comes the extraordinary animal man knows as the Red Wolf.
• This magnificent creation of Nature and evolution is most frequently, and understandably, known by the common name we’re using. Yet, it does have a few other general titles. These include the swamp wolf, bayou wolf, and painter wolf, among numerous others.
• Inside of the scientific community, however, it’s likely much better known by its purely technical designation. Fortunately, that’s an extremely simple term for the layperson to pronounce, as such at least as things go. That’s because it holds the formal tag of Canis rufus.
• The magnificent animal received that appellation due to the combined efforts of two men, in the year 1851. One of them was the highly esteemed French-American ornithologist, John James Audubon. The highly respected American minister, John Bachman, represents the other. 
• Sadly, this marvel of Nature and evolution amazes for more than just its beauty. The remarkable creature also presently ranks as one of the most endangered canids found anywhere in the world. In fact, it actually currently lists as one of the rarest animals of any kind.
• Official estimates currently place its wild population at less than 20 individuals. Captive breeding programs do exist, yet, their success continues to be lamentablyminimal, at best. Other types of ongoing conservation efforts include habitat restoration, and public education.
• The stunning Red Wolf, though, nevertheless faces multiple threats to its continued existence as a species. These include habitat loss and climate change. Given its precarious situatation, the IUCN lists this wonder as Critically Endangered on its Red List of Threatened Species.

Red Wolf Physical Description

The remarkable Red Wolf, like so many of its wild relatives across the globe typically captures the full attention of those few fortunate enough to encounter one in the wild. Yet, it typically does so due to its appearance rather than sheer size. It’s typically smaller than its gray wolf relative.

The mammal does generally follow the same patterns of physical development as those numerous cousins, though. That’s true given the fact that it displays a certain degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its case, the trait manifests itself in terms of size and shape.

Males of the species attain both a greater average length and weight than their female counterparts. The overall difference, however, typically remains quite minor. The males frequently have slightly broader heads and thicker necks compared to females, but the difference is often subtle.

Regarding those measurements, though, the species collectively reaches a mean length of approximately 53.5 – 65 in (136–165 cm). A typical body mass range, meanwhile, generally equals roughly 50 – 80 lb (22.7 – 36.3 kg). An average shoulder height reaches 26 in (66 cm).

But it’s the wonderfully distinctive coloring of the beautiful Red Wolf that so clearly defines the amazing animal. This generally consists of a mix of red, brown, black, and white fur. The overall effect, however, tends to seem reddish, thus the name, though this varies among individuals.

Still other features deservedly merit note, though. It evolved very distinctive facial features, including a broad forehead, large ears, and a pointed muzzle. Its ears stand erect, unlike those of coyotes which are more pointed. Its tail also usually develops long and bushy, often with a black tip.

The intriguing creature further impresses the lucky viewer with still more unique physical attributes. Its overall build developed as much more slender and agile than other wolves, for one. This particular wolf also has significantly longer legs than others of its kind, relative to its body size.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Canidae
• Genus: Canis
• Species: C. rufus

Red Wolf Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Even in its heyday, evidence indicates that the extraordinary Red Wolf only inhabited a moderate portion of the surface of the earth. The location of that zone of habitation might surprise some of you, though. It evolved as indigenous to a very limited section of the continent of North America.

There, more precisely, the mesmerizing canine roamed a territory that once extended throughout what now forms the entire southeastern United States. That natural territorial range extended throughout the Southeast, ranging from the state of Texas to Florida and as far north as Virginia.

However, this natural marvel now occupies only a tiny fraction of its original territory. Due to concerted conservation efforts and reintroduction efforts following its near extinction, its range currently covers five counties and 1.7 million acres (687,965 hectares) in parts of North Carolina.

In this wonder, Nature and the evolutionary process created an animal displaying an impressive degree of flexibility regarding its choice of habitat. Prior to the decimation of its numbers, this marvel thus appeared in a wide range of ecosystems. It seemed to thrive equally well in all of them.

Historically, however, the splendid animal mostly inhabited the diverse array of habitats common to this region of the continen. These largely included forests, swamps, coastal prairies, and marshes. It was also particularly associated with bottomland hardwood forests and even coastal marshes.

Like others of its many kindred, the captivating Red Wolf evolved as a pure carnivore in nature. It usually prefers to actively hunt its prey, which typically consists of small-to-medium animals. This usually includes white-tailed deer, raccoons, rabbits, rodents, and occasionally birds and reptiles.

Yet, it’s also known to opportunistically consume carrion on occasion. In all of its varied activities, it’s typically either nocturnal or crepuscular, meaning it’s most active during dawn and dusk. It’s a highly social animal, living in family groups consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring.

Breeding typically occurs between the months of January and March, with the female giving birth to a litter of pups after a gestation period of about 60 days. The interesting species exhibits cooperative breeding behavior, with other pack members assisting in raising and provisioning the pups.

Gray Fox

Gray Fox Facts

• Closing out this compendium of 5 Wonderful North American Wild Canines we present the small yet amazing work of evolution named the Gray Fox.
• This somewhat tiny but still fascinating creation of Nature most frequently goes by the partially descriptive common name due to its coloring. The marvel also has several other alternates, though, These many monikers include the maned fox, tree fox, and common gray fox.
• Its formal name, however, remains significantly harder to pronounce, perhaps even for experienced many professionals. That’s because the official term applied to this marvelous mammal in the halls of science lists as the tongue-twisting term Urocyon cinereoargenteus.
• The visually distinctive species further received this hard to utter appellation due to the work of the respected German naturalist, Johann Christian Daniel Schreber. He accomplished the first official recognition of the animal as a separate and distinct species, in the year 1775.
• Intriguingly, at least from a scientific standpoint, the creature represents one of only two members of its genus, Urocyon. Both it and the other representative genetically constitute the closest known surving species, out of all known canids, to a single common ancestor.
• For the moment, the beautiful Gray Fox appears to be maintaining a population base that’s both stable and sufficient. The IUCN, therefore, currently lists the canine as Least Concern on its Red List. That holds true despite a reduced population in certain portions of its range.
• This marvel of Nature and evolution nevertheless faces some potential threats to its continued existence. Habitat loss, predominantly due to human encroachment naturally presents a problem. The greatest threat it faces, though, most likely consists of ongoing climate change.

Gray Fox Physical Description

The magnificent animal most frequently known as the Gray Fox manages to pack all this awesomeness into a relatively small body. This fact merely serves to prove the point that physical size remains wholly irrelevant when considering the impressiveness of any species.

Unlike many of its relatives around the world, however, this creature displays little noticeable degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. This fact further applies to both physical size, and color patterns. The precise reason for this, though, remains unknown.

Due to this, distinguishing the separate genders from a safe distance frequently proves to be difficult, even for trained observors. The average adult, though, reaches a body length of between 19.1 – 26.9 in (48.5 – 78.2 cm). The long tail, though, adds an extra 10.8 – 17.4 in (27.5 – 44.3 cm).

The weight of individual specimens, however, tends to vary quite significantly. This measurement often ranges from as little as 7.9 lb (3.6 kg), to as much as 15.4 lb (7 kg). Exceptional specimens do occur on occasion, though, These sometimes reach a weight of up to 20 lb (9.1 kg)!

The most common color pattern of the Gray Wolf also presents a striking image to the viewer, as well. The upper parts typically display a somewhat grizzled pattern, with a black stripe extending to the end of the tail. It also manifests an off-white on the throat, chest, belly, hind legs, and ears.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Canidae
• Genus: Urocyon
• Species: U. cinereoargenteus

Gray Fox Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Fortunately for the amazing Gray Fox, as well as those of us who appreciate Nature, the canid evolved as native to a relatively large swathe of the surface of the globe. In fact, it’s the only known wild canid with a natural range that actually includes both North America and South America.

More precisely, however, the wild canine natively inhabits a territorial range that extends as far north as the southern portions of the country of Canada. From there, that area additionally extends through most of the United States, excluding the northwestern mountains of that country.

From there, the wonder’s native territory extends throughout all of Central America, and into the extreme northern portions of Venezuela and Colombia. In all portions of that expanse, though, it displays a decided preference for certain specific types of habitat in which to make its home.

The fascinating animal also displays a decidedly strong preference for areas consisting of mostly wooded, rocky, bushy regions. In some small locations, it manifests a markedly strong fondness for sections of rocky bluffs also possessing a relatively dense covering of brush for its habitat.

Like most of its many known relatives, the Gray Fox evolved as a primarily nocturnal animal. It typically spends most of its days concealed in either burrows, hollow trees, or stumps. It’s also known to be omnivorous, feeding on small prey, insects, and certain local plants, especially fruit.

In one manner, however, this extraordinary animal remains completely unique among its many kindred. That’s due to the fact that it’s the only known canid to routinely climb trees! There, it often sits and makes itself at home as high as 30 ft (9.1 m) up in the branches, and climbs like a cat.

5 Wonderful North American Wild Canines

We truly hope that each of you thoroughly enjoyed reading, and hopefully learning something from, this article we’ve written about these 5 Wonderful North American Wild Canines. It’s also our hope that doing so has left you with either a new or renewed appreciation for such wonders of Nature.

Unfortunately, however, many of their kindred around the world now find themselves facing strong threats to their continued existence as a species. Many of those numerous dangers, in fact, stem from the actions of mankind. We must do all that we can to protect and preserve them all.

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