Coyotes, jackals, and wolves Canis

the gray wolf (c. lupus), ethiopian wolf (c. simensis), , african golden wolf (c. anthus) 3 of many canis species referred wolves ; however, of others extinct , little known them general public. 1 of these, extinct dire wolf (c. dirus), has gained fame thousands of specimens found , displayed @ rancho la brea tar pits in los angeles, california.

canis species small attract word wolf called coyotes in americas , jackals elsewhere. although these may not more closely related each other c. lupus, are, fellow canis species, more closely related wolves , domestic dogs foxes, maned wolves, or other canids not belong genus canis. word jackal applied 3 distinct species of group: side-striped (c. adustus) , black-backed (c. mesomelas) jackals, found in sub-saharan africa, , golden jackal (c. aureus), found across southwestern , south-central asia, , balkans.

while north america has 1 small-sized species, coyote (c. latrans), has become widespread, moving areas once occupied wolves. can found across of mainland canada, in every state of contiguous united states, of mexico except yucatán peninsula, , pacific , central areas of central america, ranging far western panama.