• Large canines
• No diastema
• Body size large (TL >
68 cm)
• Claws not retractile
• Face not flat (except
for some C. familiaris
breeds)
• Long legs
Order Carnivora
Family Canidae
Vulpes vulpes
Canis latrans
Coyote
Sara Eubanks
Canis latrans
• Identification
Smallest of New World wild
canis, larger than any fox
Dorsal color variable but grayishbrown to grayish buff
Venter paler
TL: 1050-1350, tail:290-390;
HF:180-210; ear:95-120; weight: 9-20 kg
Males larger, heavier than females
www.lioncrusher.com/images/coyote.jpg
Canis latrans
• Distribution
Widely throughout U.S.
All of southern, south-central
Canada
South through Mexico
into northern central
America
www.lioncrusher.com
Canis latrans
• Habitat
Very adaptable
Utilize wide range of habitats: forests,
woodlots, clear cuts, farms
Prefer habitats
not containing
wolves
http://www.acapixus.dk/galleri/
images_html/KOL9974_dk.htm
Canis latrans
• Diet
 Opportunistic
predator
 Mammalian flesh
90% of diet
 Eats rodents, rabbits, deer, carrion, livestock, lizards,
amphibians, berries, fruit
http://www.stockpix.com/stock/animals/mammals/predatorymammals/coyotes/2461s2.jpg
Canis latrans
• Reproduction
 Mating lasts 3 months
January-March
 Females may mate with
more than one male
 Female chooses mate,
may remain with for couple of years but not life
 Gestation 60-63 days
http://www.canis.info/caniden/derkojote.htm
Canis latrans
• Reproduction cont.
Litter size: 1-19; average 6
Mom and dad feed pups by regurgitating food
Young born blind, limp-eared, pug nosed
Eyes open 10 days
Females remain with parents, males leave
Reach sexual maturity at 1 year
Canis latrans
• Conservation Status
No special
status at
this time
http://www.azuswebworks.com/
html/2coyotes.htm
Canis latrans
• Other
Reservoir host of rabies
Pelts used for coats
Pelts sell for up to $17
More likely a daytime predator, more nocturnal
Canis latrans
• Other
Higher-pitched howls
than wolves with more
yelps
http://www.stockpix.com/stock/animals/mammals/predatorymammals/
coyotes/803.htm
Canis latrans
• References
 Coyote (Canis latrans). Accessed October 13, 2004 at
http://www.canids.org/SPPACCTS/coyote.htm.
 Kays, R.W. and D.E. Wilson. 2002. The Mammals of North
America. Princeton University press, Princeton, New Jersey.
 Jones, J.K. and E.C. Birney. 1988. Handbook of Mammals of the
North-central States. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis.
 Tokar, E. 2001. "Canis latrans" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web.
Accessed October 13, 2004 at
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/
Canis_latrans.html.
The Dog
Canis familiaris
Katie Yahr
Canis familiaris
Identification
• What makes a dog a
dog? -Basic morphology
similar to Canis lupis
• Anal glands
• Many different breeds
www.thewildones.org
Canis familiaris
Distribution/ Habitat
• Worldwide in a variety of
habitats (especially under
your feet or on the couch)
•Most commonly found in
association with humans
Canis familiaris
Diet
• Dog food
• Whatever they can reach on
the counter
• Feral dogs- negative impact
on ecosystems
Canis familiaris
Reproduction
• Sexually
mature at 6-12 months
• Gestation 9 weeks
• Average of 3-9 puppies in a litter
•Altricial young
• In six years, one female dog and her offspring
can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs!
Canis familiaris
Conservation Status
• Overpopulated!
• Management of feral
populations
• Be a responsible dog
owner!
news.nationalgeographic.com
Canis familiaris
References
• http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/rhgiles/speciesssm/wdogs.ht
m
• http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/08
/0821_030821_straydogs.html
• http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accou
nts/information/Canis_lupus_familiaris.html
• http://www.petplace.com/articles/artShow.asp?artI
D=1144
• www.hsus.org
• www.aspca.org
Red Fox
(Vulpes Vulpes)
By: Brad Froeschle
www.floodlightfindings.com
Identification
•
•
•
•
•
This small, doglike animal is rustyred with white underbelly, chin and
throat. The ears are prominent and
the tail is long and bushy with a
white tip. Backs of the ears, lower
legs and the feet are black. The fox
goes through color phases of black,
silver, and mixed.
Dental Formula: 3/3, 1/1, 4/4, 2/3
The eyes of adults are yellow.
Red foxes have tail glands.
Between 5 and 15lbs and the length
is between 32 and 45 inches.
www.flloodfindings.com
Red Fox Diet/Distribution
•
•
•
•
•
•
The red fox is an omnivore. It
generally eats mice, rats, other
rodents, rabbits, squirrels, insects,
and fruit.
Mostly the red fox likes to eat
mice.
It is also famous for getting into
farmers chicken houses and
preying on farm chickens.
The daily consumption consists
between .5 and 1Kg a day.
Red Foxes are found throughout
Iowa.
Habitats include forests, prairies,
farmlands.
www.floodfindings.com
Reproduction
•
•
•
•
•
•
The breeding season is between
December and March.
Sexual Maturity is reached around
10 months of age.
Gestation is on average 52 days.
Foxes have between 1 and 13 Kits.
(avg. 5)
Born blind but open eyes after 9 to
14 days.
They are weaned between 8 and 10
weeks.
Conservation Status/Etc.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The red fox is not considered an
endangered species in Iowa.
Foxes use a variety of vocal calls to
communicate between each other.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Vulpes
Species: Vulpes vulpes
www.floodfindings.com
References
•
Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Iowa’s threatened and endangered
species. Available at http://www.state.ia.us/dnr/organiza/ppd/tespecies.htm.
October 2004.
•
Nowak, R. M. 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World. The Johns Hopkins University
Press, Baltimore, MD.
Iowa Association of Naturalists. Iowa Mammals.
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/IAN601.pdf. October 2004.
•
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Common name: Gray Fox
http://members.tripod.com/~wildlifehave
n/greyfox1.jpg
Presented by Catherine Luria
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
• Order Carnivora
http://www.canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.c
a/data/sppphotos/mammals/greyfox.jpg
– Family Canidae
• Genus Urocyon
–Species Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Identification
•
•
•
•
•
TL: 80-113 cm
http://www.canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.c
Tail: 27-43 cm
a/data/sppphotos/mammals/greyfox.jpg
Ear: 7-8 cm
Hind foot: 12.5-14.5 cm
Weight: 3-7 kg
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Identification
• Dorsum grizzled and
gray
http://www.canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.c
• Sides and limbs
a/data/sppphotos/mammals/greyfox.jpg
cinnamon to orange
• Underside tan to whitish
• Black, white, and rufous markings on the face and
neck
• Dark stripe runs down back onto black-tipped tail
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Distribution
• Ranges from SE
Canada to northern
http://www.canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.c
S. America
a/data/sppphotos/mammals/greyfox.jpg
• Found throughout
central and eastern US,
as well as along
Pacific coast and in the
southwest
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Habitat
• Wooded or brushy riparian
habitats
• Favors edge habitats
• Home range is estimated to
be 254-336 acres
• Density in good habitat is
2-3 per sq. mile
• Quite territorial
http://www.foxes.org/urban
fox/grey1.jpg
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Habitat
• Dens in hollow logs and trees,
crevices in rocks, caves, piles
of brush or wood, abandoned
buildings, underground
burrows
• Used year round, but
especially during whelping
season
http://www.foxes.org/urban
fox/grey1.jpg
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Habitat
• Underground den may be up
to 75 feet long
• Up to 10 exits
• Numerous side chambers for
food storage and whelping
• Mother moves pups to new
chamber as old chamber
becomes soiled
http://www.foxes.org/urban
fox/grey1.jpg
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Diet
• Most omnivorous of
foxes
• Feed on small
mammals and birds,
carrion, invertebrates,
fruit, and corn
http://www.foxes.org/urban
fox/grey1.jpg
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Reproduction
• Mate in December
through April
Catherine Luria, 2004
• Gestation is 62 days
• Bear litters of 1-7 “kits” (average of 4)
• Kits are born with eyes closed, covered in
black fur
• Are able to eat solid foods by 6 weeks and
forage by 4 months
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Conservation Status
• No special conservation status
• Classed as a furbearer
• Regulated hunting and trapping season
http://www.floodlightfindings.com/2redfox/grayfox.html
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Other
• Only member of dog
family to climb trees
• Rabies vector
http://www.floodlightfindings.com/2redfox/grayfox.html
References
Desert USA. The Gray Fox. Available at
http://www.desertusa.com/nov96/du_gfox.html. October 2004.
Jones, J. Knox, Jr. and Elmer C. Birney. 1988. Handbook of Mammals of
the North-Central States. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis.
Kays, Roland W. and Don E. Wilson. 2002. Mammals of North America.
Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Gray Fox (Urocyon
cinereoargenteus). Available at
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snapshots/mammals/grayfox.html. October
2004.
The Cyber Zoomobile. Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). Available
at http://home.globalcrossing.net/~brendel/fox.html. October 2004.
•
•
•
•
Large canines
No diastema
Claws not retractile
Bushy, ringed tail
Order Carnivora
Family Procyonidae
Procyon lotor
Procyon lotor
Raccoon
BY:
TAMI WETTERLIND
Description
Procyon lotor
•
•
•
•
•
•
The mask extends across the
cheeks, eyes and nose.
There is also pale grey bars above
and below the large eyes to
complete the "mask" affect.
The raccoon has a long fine coat
and a busy tail with 4 to 7
prominent dark rings.
The general color is a grizzled gray
to a blackish color, with the sides
greyer than the back.
The nape of the neck can be a rusty
color and the under-parts brownish
with a whitish wash.
The ears are edged with white or
grayish hairs.
Identification
Procyon lotor
•
•
•
Males:
63-95 cm
20-40 cm
•
•
•
•
Females:
60-91 cm
19-34 cm
4-15.8 kg
•
Forepaws are dexterous. The hind foot
makes a print in which the toes and heel
pad are joined whereas the front tracks
toe and heel pad have a brief space
between.
•
www.fishbc.com/adventure/wilderness/animals/raccoon.htm
(larger picture.) www2.biology.ualberta.ca/uamz.hp/coon.html
(smaller picture)
Distribution
Procyon lotor
• This animal is native to the
southern part of the Canadian
provinces and most of the
United States.
• It is most common along stream
edges, open forests and coastal
marshes.
• It is abundant throughout all of
Iowa.
•
(picture from clipart)
Habitat
Procyon lotor
• Inhabits hollow trees and logs
for homes and often use the
ground burrows of other
animals for raising their young
or for sleeping during the
coldest part of the winter
months
• Also den near water, rock
cavities, or any other crevice
that will provide some
protection
•
(picture from The Raccoon Gallery)
Diet
Procyon lotor
•
Omnivore, will eat almost anything
edible including fruits, insects,
frogs, fish, small mammals and
birds, including their eggs,
crayfish, turtles, berries, corn,
meadow voles, and mice.
•
The raccoon uses its forepaws and
its great manual dexterity to
manipulate even the most complex
food sources, including garbage
cans, into its diet.
•
Picture from The Raccoon Gallery)
Reproduction
Procyon lotor
• one litter a year
• from 1 to 7 but usually 3 or 4
offspring.
• The young are born in the
summer (April-May)
• stay with the mother during the
winter until the next summer.
• The male raccoon provides no
parental care and will be
aggressively chased from the
den area by the female.
•
(Picture from The Raccoon Gallery)
Conservation Status and Importance
Procyon lotor
• Abundant throughout
all of Iowa.
• Economically
important for fur trade.
• Predators: great
horned owl and
mammals such as
bobcats, foxes,
coyotes, or fishers.
•
(Picture from Managing Iowa Wildlife)
Disease
Procyon lotor
• Rabies can be transmitted to humans or their pets
from raccoons.
• Incidence of rabies in animals is low in the
Midwest.
• Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascris) has potential
exposure to trappers and hunters who might
accidentally touch feces.
Fun Facts
Procyon lotor
• Mainly nocturnal
• Meaning of name:
Procyon (pro = before +
cyon = dog)
lotor (washer)=little
washing dog.
• There are 26 separate
subspecies of the raccoon,
but only one is found in
the Midwestern states.
•
(Picture from The Raccoon Gallery)
References
Procyon lotor
• Kays, R.W. and D.E. Wilson. 2002. The Mammals of North America.
Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. Pp 172.
• Managing Iowa Wildlife. Available at:
www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1302E.pdf, 1995.
• Raccoon Procyon lotor. Available at:
www.fishbc.com/adventure/wilderness/animals/raccoon.htm, 2004.
• Raccoon. Procyon lotor. Available at:
www.nature.ca/notebooks/english/racoon.htm, 2004.
• The Raccoon at the University of Alberta Museum of Zoology.
Available at: www2.biology.ualberta.ca/uamz.hp/coon.html, 2001.
• The Raccoon Gallery. Available at:
www.loomcom.com/raccoons/gallery/, 2004