Short-eared dog

Short-eared fox ( Atelocynus Microtis )

The Short-eared fox ( Atelocynus Microtis ) is a South American species of the Real dogs and the only member of the genus Atelocynus.

Features

The Short-eared fox is distinguished by its slender, lithe physique, the more of a genet or civet remembered as a dog. Also, he moves with a feline elegance and lightness. The length from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail is 72-100 cm, the tail is again 25-35 cm long. The shoulder height is about 35 cm and weight of approximately 9 or 10 kg. The rounded ears are only 3.5 to 5 cm long, and in relation to body size shorter than that of any other living dog kind. The coat color is dark gray to black on the upper side, lower side with gray and black tones, while the hairy tail except for a bright area at the bottom is reddish black. The molars are highly developed. Especially the males have strong-smelling anal glands.

Distribution and population

The distribution area of the short-eared fox are the Amazon basin, the upper Orinoco basin and the upper Paranábecken in South America. It occurs in the states of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and possibly in Venezuela.

In some states, it appears to be rare, but reliable stock estimates are difficult to perform due to the nocturnal and solitary life.

Way of life

Its habitat are tropical forests below 1000 m altitude. In contrast to the bush dog, with which it shares its habitat, the short-eared fox hunts as a loner. He begins mainly small or medium-sized rodents. In captivity, he eats meat, fruit and even waste. The behavior of this kind is, however, hardly been explored. One male from the Brookfield Zoo was tame and docile, while its mate always growled in the presence of people.

Pictures

Skull of a Kurzohrfuches (St. George Mivart: A monograph of the canidae 1890. )

Artistic representation of a Kurzohrfuches (St. George Mivart: A monograph of the canidae 1890. )