BUSH DOGS

BUSHDOG Speothos venaticus, short-legged, sausage-shaped carnivore in the same family as wild and domestic dogs, but not a close relative. In addition to its undoglike body shape, it has small ears, a short, almost naked tail, and dark brown fur with a golden ruff. It is adapted in body shape for rapid movement through the dense undergrowth which surrounds the river banks of tropical forests. The bushdog is reported to be an excellent swimmer, and its size is well-suited for this. Further features distinguishing it from other dogs are found in the thickness of its bones and in its dentition, only 36 teeth compared with the typical canid 42.

The bushdog is 22-30 in (57-75 cm) long in head and body with a 5-6 in (12-15 cm) tail, and it is 9-12 in (23-30 cm) at the shoulder. It weighs 12-15 lb (5-7 kg). Ranging through the tropical forests of Central America and northern South America, bushdogs travel in packs, preying upon large rodents such as pacas and agoutis as well as srmall forest deer.

Bushdogs have two vocalizations. One call, a high-pitched squeak which sounds like a bird and is heard almost constantly, probably functions to keep pack members in touch. The second is a piercing screech given by aggressive animals after a fight. FAMILY: Canidae, ORDER: Carnivora, CLASS: Mammalia.