Canidae is a biological family contained within order Carnivora. That's not to say that canids are strict carnivores. Many eat plant matter in addition to meat. The vast majority of canids are either "dog-like" or "fox-like" (these groups make up "tribes" in Canidae). There are also two species of canids that do not fit well into either category and are similar to fossil forms. These species are referred to as basal canids. Canids inhabit every continent except Antarctica and many different kinds of habitats (desert, forest, etc). Almost all canids are social animals that live in groups. The size and structure of these groups vary with species. All canids walk digitigrade. Unlike felids, canids do not have retractable claws. Canids use many different modes of communication such as vocalizations, body position, and, most importantly, scent. The first canids appear in the fossil record 30-40 million years ago.
Genera in Canidae
