A wild dog is a wild canine and it simply refers to any of the non-domesticated canine which is not related to any specific species and all belong to the dog family, Canidae, which also includes all extinct dog species. Examples of wild dogs include the gray wolf, coyote, red fox, Arctic fox, kit fox, African wild dog, and golden jackal. Here is the list of 10 types of wild dogs in the world,
Types Of Wild Dogs
1. African Golden Wolf
The African wolf is one of the types of wild dogs native to North Africa, West Africa, the Sahel, northern East Africa, and the Horn of Africa. The height is 40 cm and the average weight is between 7 to 15 kilograms. Talking about its appearance, it is known as a small member of the dog family along with a long muzzle and ears and a short tail. The color of the fur varies in every individual and it depends on the season and geographical location. The most common color of the fur varied between yellowish to silvery gray. The avarage lifespan of an African golden wolf is upto 8 years in the wild.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Loyal Animals In The World
Image Source: Wikimedia
2. African Wild Dog
The African wild dog is the largest wild canine in Africa and the only member of the genus Lycaon. The body length of these grassland animals ranges between 71 to 112 cm in length and the average weight is between 18 to 36 kilograms. The top speed attained by wild dogs is upto 66 km/h and the hieght is between 60 to 75 cm. The avarage lifespan of an African wild dog is between 10 to 11 years in the wild. The dietary habitats are carnivorous and feed on antelopes, warthogs, wildebeest and their calves, ostrich, and calves of African buffalo. They all prey on smaller prey such as dik-dik, hares, spring hares, insects, birds, and cane rats.
3. Bat-eared Fox
The bat-eared fox is one of the animals with big ears that was found in the African savanna. The body length ranges between 46 to 66 cm and the average weight is between 2 to 4.5 kg. The avarage lifespan of the bat-eared fox is between 6 to 13 years in the wild. The name bat-eared fox comes from its ears which are huge in proportion to its head. The face is small along with a white, raccoon-like mask and a short, pointed muzzle. The dietary habit is carnivores in nature and 80% of their diet can consist of dung beetles and harvester termites.
4. Black-Backed Jackal
The black-backed jackal is a medium size canine species native to eastern and southern Africa. The body length ranges between 67 to 81 cm in length and the average weight is between 6 to 13 kilograms. The avarage lifespan of a black-backed jackal is between 8 to 14 years in the wild. The dietary habit is omnivores in nature and feeds on carrion, domestic livestock, rodents, gazelle, hares, young ungulates, lizards, birds, and insects as well as fruit and berries. The top speed of canine species is upto 32 km/h and the hieght is between 38 to 48 cm.
5. Blanford’s Fox
The Blanford’s fox is a small fox species native to the Middle East and Central Asia. The body length ranges between 38 to 80 cm and the average weight is between 1.5 to 3 kg. The avarage lifespan of Blanford’s fox is between 4 to 10 years in the wild. The primary diet includes beetles, locusts, grasshoppers, ants, and termites. They also feed on wild fruits and plant material of date palm. Talking about their appearance, they have wide ears, and long, bushy tails nearly equal to the length of their body, and their body color ranges from brownish-grey and fading to light yellow on the belly.
Also Read: 15 Interesting Facts About Canadian Marble Fox
Image Source: Wikimedia
6. Coyote
The coyote is one of the types of wild dogs closely related to both the North American wolf and fox. They are primarily carnivores and feed on rodents, small animals such as rabbits, birds, squirrels, fruit, grass, deer, and insects. Coyotes are fast animals and can attain a speed of 40 mph while running. As of now, 19 subspecies have been identified by humans, and color and size range among all species. The avarage lifespan of coyotes is between 10 to 14 years in the wild.
7. Crab-Eating Fox
The crab-eating fox is one of the types of foxes endemic to the central part of South America and is believed to appear during the Pliocene epoch. The body length ranges between 60 to 70 cm and the avarage weight is between 5 to 8 kilograms. It is called by different names such as forest fox, wood fox, bush dog, and maikong. The primary diet includes crabs, fish, reptiles, rodents, birds, insects, eggs, and fruit. The avarage lifespan of a crab-eating fox is upto 11 years.
Image Source: Wikimedia
8. Culpeo
The culpeo is a South American fox species closely related to wolves and jackals. The body length ranges between 95 to 132 cm in length and the average weight is between 5 to 13.5 kilograms. It is also known as Zorro culpeo, Andean zorro, Andean fox, Paramo wolf, Andean wolf, and colpeo fox and is also popular as the second-largest native canid on the continent, followed by Maned wolf. They prey and feed on rodents, rabbits, birds, and lizards, however, they are also seen feeding on different reptiles and birds, carrion, and sometimes even plants and fruit.
Image Source: Wikimedia
9. Darwin’s Fox
The Darwin’s fox gets its name from naturalist Charles Darwin who first collected it in 1834. They prey and feed on small mammals, reptiles, insects, and other invertebrates. The body length is upto 20.79 inches and the average weight is between 4 to 8.7 pounds. The avarage lifespan of Darwin’s fox is upto 7 years in the wild. It is also known as Darwin’s zorro, zorro chile and zorro de Darwin. The animal is listed in the endangered category since it was hunted for its lustrous pelt.
10. Dhole
The dhole is a canid species native to Asia and can be seen in regions throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. The body length ranges between 88 to 113 cm in length and the average wieght is between 12 to 18 kilograms. The avarage lifespan of a dhole is upto 16 years. The dietary nature is omnivores in nature and feeds on wild pigs, wild goats, hares, sheep, and monkeys. They are also seen feeding on fruit and vegetable matter more readily than other canids. They are one of the fast candid species that can achieve a speed of upto 72.4 km/h.
These are the different types of wild dogs in the world. Kindly share and do post your comments.