Canide
36 creative works found
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European Red Fox Canon EOS 50D with Canon EF 400mm L f/5.6 lens
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10×14 watercolor enhanced colored pencil. Original available. The Mexican Wolf is the rarest, most genetically distinct subspecies of the Gray Wolf in North America. / The Mexican Wolf is the smallest grey wolf subspecies present in North America, reaching an overall length no greater than 135 centimetres (53 inches) and a maximum height of about 80 cm (31 in). Weight ranges from 27 to 45 kilograms (60–100 pounds). / History’ / Until recent times, the Mexican Wolf ranged the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts from central Mexico to western Texas, southern New Mexico, and central Arizona. By the turn of the 20th century, reduction of natural prey like deer and elk caused many wolves to begin attacking domestic livestock, which led to intensive efforts by government agencies and individuals to eradicate the Mexican Wolf. Hunters also hunted down the wolf because it killed deer. Trappers and private trappers have also helped in the eradication of the Mexican Wolf. (Note that recent studies completed by genetics experts show evidence of Mexican wolves ranging as far north as Colorado). / These efforts were very successful, and by the 1950s, the Mexican Wolf had been eliminated from the wild. In 1976, the Mexican Wolf was declared an endangered subspecies and has remained so ever since. Today, an estimated 200 Mexican Wolves survive in the wild. / Reintroduction to the Southwest / In March 1998, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) began reintroducing Mexican Wolves into the Blue Range area of Arizona. The overall objective of this program was to reestablish 100 Mexican Wolves in the Apache and Gila National Forests of Arizona and New Mexico by 2005. On March 30 1998, government biologists released 11 gray wolves — 3 adult males, 3 adult females, 3 female pups and yearlings and 2 male pups — from 3 chain-link acclimation pens within the 7,000-square-mile, federally designated Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area in east-central Arizona. A population count completed by the Interagency Field Team (IFT) in the winter of 2006–2007 estimated 60 wolves living in the recovery area in several packs. (info from Wikipedia) Complete 2008
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My favorite red fox area has just been too overgrown in the summer to take pics. This was my first day back since the early summer, and with all the coyotes moving in to the area, I was a little concerned that I would find any foxes. Fortunately, I quickly located 2 foxes, and I’m a little relieved. This little guy was trotting down my trail and was kind enough to pose briefly for me. Wheatridge, CO
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Fennec Fox / Vulpes zerda Weighing three to 3.5 pounds, the fennec fox is the world’s smallest canid. Home Range / Northern Africa, Sinai and Arabian peninsulas Habitat / Deserts, arid areas Diet / Vegetation, rodents, birds, and their eggs, lizards, insects Reproduction / Two to five young Social Structure / Travels in family groups, in pairs, or alone; active at night Fun Facts / Those satellite-dish ears help the fox hunt at night—it can hear prey moving underground—and keep cool. Fur on the soles of the fennec fox’s feet help protect them from hot sand.
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I only had an abbreviated morning of fox photography today, so I was a little more active in tracking them. I was watching 2 males for a bit, and then had to trot back down the trail to stay on schedule. It was then that I ran into this little vixen (so to speak). I couldn’t resit a shot of her with her coat illuminated by the warm morning sun. Wheatridge, CO
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You’d think that with their bright coloring, the red fox would stand out like a sore thumb and find it hard to hide. Not so. Despite their color, they blend in remarkably well. I interrupted her search for breakfast this morning, briefly, but she didn’t seem to mind much. Wheatridge, CO
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20×26 pastel. Original unavailable. 50% of sales will be donated to Wolf Hollow Social structure / Wolves function as social predators and hunt in packs organized according to strict, rank-oriented social hierarchies. It was originally believed that this comparatively high level of social organization was related to hunting success, and while this still may be true to a certain extent, emerging theories suggest that the pack has less to do with hunting and more to do with reproductive success. The pack is led by the two individuals that sit atop the social hierarchy: the alpha male and the alpha female. The alpha pair has the greatest amount of social freedom compared to the rest of the pack. Although they are not “leaders” in the human sense of the term, they help to resolve any disputes within the pack, have the greatest amount of control over resources (such as food), and, most importantly, they help keep the pack cohesive and functional. The ranks in a wolf pack are the alpha pair, the beta pair, the delta pair, the elders, the sentinel pair, and the omega pair. Alphas are the most dominant, omegas are the lowest of all, being harassed and shoved to the side. While most alpha pairs are monogamous, there are exceptions. An alpha animal may preferentially mate with a lower-ranking animal, especially if the other alpha is closely related (a brother or sister, for example). The death of one alpha does not affect the status of the other alpha, who will quickly take another mate. Usually, only the alpha pair is able to rear a litter of pups successfully. Other wolves in a pack may breed, but when resources are limited, time, devotion, and preference will be given to the alpha pair’s litter. Therefore, non-alpha parents of other litters within a single pack may lack the means to raise their pups to maturity of their own accord. All wolves in a pack assist in raising wolf pups. Some mature individuals choosing not to disperse may stay in their original packs so as to reinforce it and help rear more pups. The size of the pack may change over time and is controlled by several factors, including habitat, personalities of individual wolves within a pack, and food supply. Packs can contain between 2 and 20 wolves, though 8 is a more typical size. New packs are formed when a wolf leaves its birth pack, finds a mate, and claims a territory. Lone wolves searching for other individuals can travel very long distances seeking out suitable territories. Dispersing individuals must avoid the territories of other wolves because intruders on occupied territories are chased away or killed. It is taboo for one wolf to travel into another wolf’s territory unless invited. Most dogs, except perhaps large, specially bred attack dogs, do not stand much of a chance against a pack of wolves protecting its territory from an intrusion. Wolves acting unusually within the pack, such as epileptic pups or thrashing adults crippled by a trap or a gunshot, are usually killed by other members of their own pack. Hierarchy / The hierarchy, led by the alpha male and female, affects all activity in the pack to some extent. In most larger packs there are two separate hierarchies in addition to an overbearing one: the first consists of the males, led by the alpha male, and the other consists of the females, led by the alpha female. The male and female hierarchies are interdependent and are maintained constantly by aggressive and elaborate displays of dominance and submission. After the alpha pair, there may also, especially in larger packs, be a beta wolf or wolves, a “second-in-command” to the alphas. Betas typically assume a more prominent role in assisting with the upbringing of the alpha pair’s litter, often serving as surrogate mothers or fathers while the alpha pair is away. Beta wolves are the most likely to challenge their superiors for the role of the alpha, though some betas seem content with being second, and will sometimes even let lower ranking wolves leapfrog them for the position of alpha should circumstances necessitate such a happening, such as the death of the alpha. More ambitious beta wolves, however, will only wait so long before contending for alpha position unless they choose to disperse and create their own pack instead. / / Loss of rank can happen gradually or suddenly. An older wolf may simply choose to give way when a motivated challenger presents itself, yielding its position without bloodshed. On the other hand, the challenged individual may choose to fight back with varying degrees of intensity. While the majority of wolf aggression is ritualized and non-injurious, a high-stakes fight can easily result in injury for either or both parties. The loser of such a confrontation is frequently chased away from the pack or, rarely, may be killed as other aggressive wolves contribute to the insurgency. These types of confrontations are more common during the mating season. Though rare, deaths can and will occur, as the average alpha male wolf kills two to four wolves in his lifetime. Rank order within a pack is established and maintained through a series of ritualized fights and posturing best described as “ritual bluffing”. Wolves prefer psychological warfare to physical confrontations, meaning that high-ranking status is based more on personality or attitude than on size or physical strength. Rank, who holds it, and how it is enforced varies widely between packs and between individual animals. In large packs full of easygoing wolves or in a group of juvenile wolves, rank order may shift almost constantly, or even be circular (for instance, animal A dominates animal B, who dominates animal C, who dominates animal A). In a more typical pack, only one wolf will assume the role of the omega: the lowest-ranking member of a pack. Omegas receive the most aggression from the rest of the pack, and may be subjected to different forms of truculence at any time—anything from constant dominance from other pack members to inimical, physical harassment. Although this arrangement may seem objectionable, the nature of pack dynamics demands that one wolf be at the bottom of the ranking order, and submissive individuals are better suited for constant displays of active and passive submission than they are for living alone. Any form of camaraderie is preferable to solitude and, indeed, submissive wolves tend to choose low rank over potential starvation. Despite the aggression to which they are often subjected, omega wolves have also been observed to be among the most playful wolves in the pack, often enticing all of the members in a pack into chasing games and other forms of play. In general, omega wolves exist to help relieve pack tension, be it as punching bags or as pack jesters. (information from Wikipedia) Complete 1999
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19×24 colored pencil. Original unavailable. A pair of wolves Complete 1997
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19×24 colored pencil. Original unavailable. A pair of coyotes. Complete 1997
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19.5×25.5 colored pencil. Original unavailable. The gray wolf (Canis lupus), also known as the timber wolf or wolf, is a mammal of the order Carnivora. The gray wolf is the largest wild member of the Canidae family and an ice age survivor originating during the Late Pleistocene around 300,000 years ago. Its shoulder height ranges from 0.6 to 0.9 meters (26–36 inches) and its weight varies between 20 (sometimes even lower) and 68 kilograms. DNA sequencing and genetic drift studies indicate that the gray wolf shares a common ancestry with the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and might be its ancestor. A number of other gray wolf subspecies have been identified, though the actual number of subspecies is still open to discussion. Though once abundant over much of North America and Eurasia, the gray wolf inhabits a very small portion of its former range because of widespread destruction of its habitat, human encroachment of its habitat, and the resulting human-wolf encounters that sparked broad extirpation. Considered as a whole, however, the gray wolf is regarded as being of least concern for extinction according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Today, wolves are protected in some areas, hunted for sport in others, or may be subject to extermination as perceived threats to livestock and pets. Gray wolves play an important role as apex predators in the ecosystems they typically occupy. Gray wolves are highly adaptable and have thrived in temperate forests, deserts, mountains, tundra, taiga, and grasslands. Wolves have been featured in the folklore and mythology of many cultures throughout history. Norse mythology tells the legend of the giant Fenrir. More sympathetic depictions include the suckling of Romulus and Remus in the Roman creation story. Wolves have also appeared in Western fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs, in which the wolf plays the role of the villain. (information from Wikipedia) Complete 2003
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I know fox are small little guys, but I’m always shocked at how tiny they really are when i have one trot past me on the same trail – they’re tiny little guys!. This one was a little bashful and wouldn’t come out of the brush for me – excuse the twigs and such in the way. Wheatridge, CO
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OK, last fox of the day. This male has found something that’s peaked his interest and he’s moving in cautiously to get a better look. With all the dead leaves on the ground now, it’s much more difficult for the foxes to move as quietly as usual through the woods – today I could usually hear them before I saw them. Wheatridge, CO
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The greenery has just exploded in fox central, and this little guy has caught a scent. Location: Wheat Ridge, CO
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There was enough frosty dew on the vegetation that this guy got fairly wet running around in it this morning.
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Not pleased I have nothing to give him. I like the contrast between the greenery and the fox location: Wheat Ridge, CO
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Apparently he enjoyed a recent meal. With spring growth of all the grass & foliage, it’s getting harder to get a clean shot. I was hoping to get above tree line this weekend and check on the marmots & mountain goats, but it’s still winter up there for at least a little longer.
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Carnaby Street, late 1960s. / Leica, 35mm film,
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18×24 pastel. Original unavailable. Physical characteristics / Wolf weight and size can vary greatly worldwide, tending to increase proportionally with latitude as predicted by Bergmann’s Rule. In general, height varies from 0.6 to .95meters (26–38 inches) at the shoulder and weight ranges from 20 to 62 kilograms, which together make the gray wolf the largest of all wild canids. Although rarely encountered, extreme specimens of more than 77 kg (170 lb) have been recorded in Alaska and Canada. The heaviest wild wolf on record, killed in Alaska in 1939, was 80 kg (175 lb). The smallest wolves come from the Arabian Wolf subspecies, the females of which may weigh as little as 10 kg (22 lb) at maturity. Females in any given wolf population typically weigh about 20% less than their male counterparts. Wolves can measure anywhere from 1.3 to 2 meters (4.5–6.5 feet) from nose to the tip of the tail, which itself accounts for approximately one quarter of overall body length. / / Wolves usually have blended pelages. Wolves are built for stamina, possessing features ideal for long-distance travel. Their narrow chests and powerful backs and legs facilitate efficient locomotion. They are capable of covering several miles trotting at about a pace of 10 km/h (6 mph), and have been known to reach speeds approaching 65 km/h (40 mph) during a chase. While thus sprinting, wolves can cover up to 5 meters (16 ft) per bound. Wolf paws are able to tread easily on a wide variety of terrains, especially snow. There is a slight webbing between each toe, which allows them to move over snow more easily than comparatively hampered prey. Wolves are digitigrade, which, with the relative largeness of their feet, helps them to distribute their weight well on snowy surfaces. The front paws are larger than the hind paws, and have a fifth digit, the dewclaw, that is absent on hind paws. Bristled hairs and blunt claws enhance grip on slippery surfaces, and special blood vessels keep paw pads from freezing. Scent glands located between a wolf’s toes leave trace chemical markers behind, helping the wolf to effectively navigate over large expanses while concurrently keeping others informed of its whereabouts. Unlike dogs and coyotes, wolves lack sweat glands on their paw pads. This trait is also present in Eastern Canadian Coyotes which have been shown to have recent wolf ancestry. Wolves in Israel are unique due to the middle two toes of their paws being fused, a trait originally thought to be unique to the African Wild Dog. / / Wolves have bulky coats consisting of two layers. The first layer is made up of tough guard hairs that repel water and dirt. The second is a dense, water-resistant undercoat that insulates. The undercoat is shed in the form of large tufts of fur in late spring or early summer (with yearly variations). A wolf will often rub against objects such as rocks and branches to encourage the loose fur to fall out. The undercoat is usually gray regardless of the outer coat’s appearance. Wolves have distinct winter and summer pelages that alternate in spring and autumn. Females tend to keep their winter coats further into the spring than males. North American wolves typically have longer, silkier fur than their Eurasian counterparts. Fur coloration varies greatly, running from gray to gray-brown, all the way through the canine spectrum of white, red, brown, and black. These colors tend to mix in many populations to form predominantly blended individuals, though it is certainly not uncommon for an individual or an entire population to be entirely one color (usually all black or all white). A multicolor coat characteristically lacks any clear pattern other than it tends to be lighter on the animal’s underside. Fur color sometimes corresponds with a given wolf population’s environment; for example, all-white wolves are much more common in areas with perennial snow cover. Aging wolves acquire a grayish tint in their coats. It is often thought that the coloration of the wolf’s pelage serves as a functional form of camouflage. This may not be entirely correct, as some scientists have concluded that the blended colors have more to do with emphasizing certain gestures during interaction. At birth, wolf pups tend to have darker fur and blue irises that will change to a yellow-gold or orange color when the pups are between 8 and 16 weeks old. Though extremely unusual, it is possible for an adult wolf to retain its blue-colored irises. Wolves’ long, powerful muzzles help distinguish them from other canids, particularly coyotes and golden jackals, which have more narrow, pointed muzzles. Wolves differ from domestic dogs in a more varied nature. Anatomically, wolves have smaller orbital angles than dogs (>53 degrees for dogs compared with s teeth are its main weapons as well as its primary tools. Therefore, any injury to the jaw line or teeth could devastate a wolf, dooming it to starvation or incapacity. (information from Wikipedia) Complete 1999
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Still searching for fox kits – they’re out, but never in the same place I am. This week . . . location: Wheat Ridge, Colorado
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Yeah, I uploaded the wrong photo (dope slap). THIS is the one with the raspberry . . .
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It’s keeping me waiting . . . Location: Wheat Ridge, CO
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Another fox in a sea of green grass
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This is the alpha male fox in his little territory. Some of the locals call him “Pock.” He’s got a squinty eye. He’s much bolder than most of the other foxes – many of them hide in the brush or keep their distance. He runs down the same trail towards me and passes me within a few feet, and also uses me for shade when the sun is really bright in the early morning.. I’ve also seen him face down at least one local coyote. He’s a gutsy little guy. Wheatridge, CO
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