Canis

genus of mammals, including domestic dogs

Canis is a genus with seven to ten living species.[1] It incudes the domestic dog, wolves, coyotes, and jackals, and various extinct species. 'Canis' means "dog" in Latin.

Canis
Temporal range: Miocene–present (6 million years ago)
Gray wolf (top), coyote and African golden wolf (top middle), Ethiopian wolf and golden jackal (bottom middle), black-backed jackal and side-striped jackal (bottom)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Subfamily: Caninae
Tribe: Canini
Genus: Canis
Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
Canis familiaris
Linnaeus, 1758
Extant species

Their canine teeth are adapted for killing, and their molar teeth can crunch bone. They are able to chase prey over long distances, far more so than felines.

References

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  1. Wilson D.E. & Reeder D.M. eds 2005. Genus Canis. Mammal species of the world. 3rd ed, Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0