Category Secrets of the Wild

          Have you seen a picture of a raccoon? It has a distinctive face with two black stripes running below its eyes. A raccoon dog looks very similar to a raccoon, but does not have anything to do with it! While a raccoon dog belongs to the Canidae family, the raccoon is a member of the Procyonidae family. Raccoons are the largest members of this family. They have the unique habit of washing food if they are near a source of water!

          The raccoon dog is also known as tanuki. The breed originates from East Asia. Their resemblance to raccoons has led people to mistake one for the other. However, we can see that both have very different features in terms of weight and diet etc. Raccoon dogs also have the habit of hibernating during the winter.

 

 

          Have you heard tales of cunning foxes and cruel wolves? Wolves and foxes are part of many stories, legends and myths.

          Somehow, across the world, most cultures have fascinating folk tales of these animals.

          They are popular among us, maybe, because of their smartness and unpredictable nature. In western and Persian folklore, they are depicted as symbols of cunning and trickery. This is, in part, due to their ability to evade hunters.

          In fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood, wolves are presented as crafty animals that are looking for opportunities to trick others. They try to lure unsuspecting children and adults to their death. There are also legends involving wolves adopting human babies and bringing them up as wolves. Do you remember The Jungle Book, in which Mowgli is cared for by wolves?

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          Have you ever wondered when Man started befriending the dog, and keeping it a pet at home? Maybe dogs were not pets at all in the beginning. They had other utilities. The first species to be domesticated was the dog, and it has been selectively bred over millennia for its varied behaviours, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes. From huge Great Danes to tiny Chihuahuas, there are thousands of dog breeds today.

          The first dog befriended by Man was, probably, a grey wolf. The dingoes of Australia are domesticated wolves. Today, there are dingoes roaming about in large areas of the wild in Australia. They are the largest land predator in Australis, and are considered apex predators an apex predator is an animal that is at the top of the food chain.

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          The two most carnivorous dogs are the African wild dog and the dingo. We know that dogs love feasting on meat. Some domestic varieties relish a mixed diet of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.

          The teeth of the African wild dog are particularly large and sharp. They move about in packs of about 20 members and hunt down large mammals. However, these animals are on the verge of extinction. They are found mainly in one of the Tanzanian wildlife reserves, and are only about 5000 in number. These animals are the most efficient pack hunters.

          The dingo is found in Australia. Although, they are carnivorous, they are not as efficient as the African wild dog. Large red kangaroos, birds, fish and reptiles are their favourite prey.

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          Three species of jackals have been identified. They are the black-backed jackal, the golden jackal, and the side-striped jackal.

          All three species have similar body size. Usually, that measure up to the size of domestic dogs. They grow to 70 to85 centimetres shoulder to rump, with a tail length of about 25cm. According to the Animal Diversity Web, they stand about 40 cm at the shoulder, and weigh 5 to 12 kilograms.

          The black-backed jackal is called so because it has black hair running from the back of the neck to the tail. The rest of the body is reddish-brown or ginger and the chest is white. There are white stripes and black side stripes running from elbow to hip of the side-striped jackals. The golden jackal has a coat that is usually yellow to pale gold and brown-tipped. However, the colour of these jackals can vary with the season and region.

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