Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary Educational Field Guide

Wild Spirit
Wolf Sanctuary
RESCUE, SANCTUARY, EDUCATION
Student field Guide

Copyright © Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary 2016
378 Candy Kitchen Road
HC61 Box 28
Ramah, NM 87321
Copy Editing & Graphic Design: Nicole Schepker
Education Steering Committee:
Crystal Castellanos, Ramon Castellanos, Leyton Cougar, Chadley Kolb, & Rory Zoerb
Photographers:
Allison Bailey, Angel Borden, Crystal Castellanos, Georgia Cougar, Rae McCue, Nicole Schepker,
Tasha Standish, Steve Staviski, & Meredith Williams.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary? ................................................................ 1 - 2
Gray Wolves ...................................................................................................... 3 - 4
Wolf-Dogs .......................................................................................................... 5 - 6
Coyotes ............................................................................................................. 7 - 8
Activity Pages .................................................................................................. 9 - 10
Australian Dingoes ........................................................................................... 11 - 12
New Guinea Singing Dogs ................................................................................ 13 - 14
Red Foxes ......................................................................................................... 15 - 16
Glossary, References & Answer Key ............................................................... 17 - 18
A Guide To This Guide
This guide includes information on the above species’ habitat and range, physical characteristics, behavioral
characteristics, diet, hunting practices, pack structure, reproduction, ecological role, and International
Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List status. A glossary, list of resources,
activity pages, and answer key can be found at the end of the guide.
Zoerro by Steve Staviski
SPECIAL THANKS
This Student Field Guide was made possible by funds from the educational grant “Sharing Success,”
awarded to Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in 2015 by Continental Divide Electric Co-Op (CDEC) and Co-
Bank. In addition to funding the production of our Student Field Guide, Sharing Success will afford 800
K-12 students representing eight local public schools the opportunity to visit Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary,
enjoy a guided tour, and participate in a fun and engaging educational program with one of Wild Spirit’s
Educational Rescues. We howl our deepest gratitude to CDEC and Co-Bank for their generous award!
WSWS i. Field Guide

What is Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary?
Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary (WSWS) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit wolf, wolf-dog and
other related species rescue, sanctuary and education facility in Candy Kitchen,
New Mexico. Founded in 1991, renamed and restructured in 2003, Wild Spirit Wolf
Sanctuary has since provided permanent lifetime sanctuary to over 300 canids.
Wild Spirit hosts between 7000 and 8000 guests annually and has opened its
doors to volunteers from around the globe.
Our Mission: Rescue, Sanctuary, Education
RESCUE - Rescue displaced, unwanted, and unreleasable captive-bred wolves, wolf-dogs and other related
species.
SANCTUARY - Provide permanent, lifetime safe sanctuary for those that we rescue, and provide the highest
level of care enrichment and habitat.
EDUCATION - Educate the public about wolves, wolf-dogs and other related species, our ecosystem and
how we all play a part in it, and the excellent ethical care and treatment of all animals, domestic and wild.
Our Motto: Wild Animals Are Not Pets!
WSWS rescues captive-bred, exotic, and wild canids from the exotic pet trade, and provides those Rescues
with a permanent, lifetime safe Sanctuary. We currently house wolves, wolf-dogs, New Guinea Singing Dogs,
Australian dingoes, coyotes and a red fox.
Fun Fact: Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary was founded by the artist, Jacque Evans, under the name The Candy
Kitchen Wolf and Wolf-dog Rescue Ranch on her own property, and was initially supported by her art sales.
WSWS 1. Field Guide

What is Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary?
Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary’s Rescues belong to the biological family Canidae.
This biological family includes wolves, coyotes, domestic dogs, jackals, foxes and many other extant (living)
and extinct dog-like mammals. Though this family of mammals is commonly called ‘canines,’ an adjective that
describes dog-like animals, the zoological definition of a canine refers to the four pointed teeth that are especially
prominent in these animals.
Agana & Kota by Crystal Castellanos
All of Wild Spirit’s Rescues are non-releasable.
Non-releasable animals are innately wild animals that are deemed
unlikely to survive in the wild if released from captivity. Wild Spirit
rescues innately wild animals that were either born in captivity or
taken from the wild into captivity when they were very young. Having
spent too much time around people, releasing innately wild animals
with a reduced fear of humans is irresponsible and would only lead
to a variety of potentially life-threatening problems.
To learn more about each of our Rescues’ personal stories, please
visit: http://wildspiritwolfsanctuary.org/our_animals.php
The Exotic Pet Trade
The importing, exporting, breeding, trafficking and selling of exotic animals to become pets is, unfortunately,
a common worldwide practice that affects countless species including wolves, wolf-dogs and other innately
wild canids. The legality of owning wild animals as pets varies from country to country, and even by U.S. state,
depending on the species. Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is home to captive bred wolves, wolf-dogs, and other related
species that have been rescued from the exotic pet trade.
Unlike domesticated animals, exotic animals have undomesticated minds, wild instincts and desires. They are
not pets. Sadly, due to these instincts and their advanced physical abilities, they are often placed in small, unnatural
conditions, or forced to live their lives on a chain. Unwanted by their owners as they grow and age,
thousands of exotic animals that were once pets are abandoned all over the world every year.
Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary exists to rescue wolves, wolf-dogs and other wild canids that are victims of the exotic
pet trade. We provide safe Sanctuary to animals that have nowhere else to go. We are their last resort.
How can you help?
You can contribute to our mission by:
- Sharing your experience at Wild Spirit Wolf
Sanctuary with friends, family and colleagues.
- Posting photos and videos about your visit to Wild
Spirit Wolf Sanctuary on social media.
- Applying to become a short- or long-term volunteer.
- Sponsoring a Rescue.
- Donating to our fundraisers, wish lists and projects.
- Spreading the word that wild animals are not pets!
- Sharing this field guide to help educate others about
wild canids and their role in healthy eco-systems.
Skye byTasha Standish
Fun Fact: Candy Kitchen got its name during the Prohibition when a homesteader started a pinion nut
candy store as a cover up for his illegal liquor business, earning his ranch the name “The Candy Kitchen.”
WSWS 2. Field Guide

GRAY WOLVES
What are gray wolves?
Gray Wolves are large, wild canids native to the northern hemisphere. There are four widely recognized subspecies
of gray wolves in North America: the Great Plains or Timber Wolf, Arctic Wolf, Rocky Mountain Wolf, and the
Mexican Gray Wolf. Subspecies vary more by their range than by their physical characteristics.
Navar by Angel Borden
Wolf Packs
Wolves are social animals that generally live in family
groups comparable to human families. A family
of wolves is called a pack, and typically has 7-12
members. Sometimes wolf packs include non-family
members, or “outsiders” who have solicited to join
the pack. Although wolf packs have a strong social
hierarchy, the pack structure can change over time as
wolves age and move up or down in the ranks.
Pack Structure
The alpha male and female are the pack leaders.
This couple usually mates for life and are typically
the only animals that breed. Though both parents are
responsible for pack cohesion, the alpha female often
takes a stronger role in keeping the pack together.
The betas are the 2nd in command. This group consists
of subordinates, yearlings and pups.
The omegas are the lowest ranking members of the
pack. Packs often have both a male and female omega.
Gray Wolf Quick Facts
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Group Name: Pack
Diet: Carnivore
Average Size (Adult Male): 26-36 inches at shoulders,
stretches 5-6 feet from nose to tip of tail. Adult
females are typically 20% smaller than males.
Average Weight (Adult Male): 70-130 pounds.
The largest recorded wolf was 175 pounds.
Average Life Span: 6-9 years in the wild (but up to
14), and up to 15 years or longer in captivity.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
Habitat & Territory: Where do gray wolves live?
Gray wolves once lived across North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa, but have been driven out of most of
their former range. The North American Gray Wolf’s range now includes parts of Alaska, the Great Lakes region,
northern Rockies, Pacific Northwest and Canada. Gray Wolves live in diverse habitats including tundra, forests,
prairies, mountains and deserts. A wolf’s territory is where the pack lives, hunts, breeds and plays. Territories
range from less than 100 sq. miles to 1000 sq. miles depending on the abundance of prey and other predators.
Present
Extirpated
Fig. 1: The gray wolf’s current habitat range is represented
in green. The gray wolf’s former habitat range is in red.
Reproduction
Breeding occurs once a year in January or
February. Pups are born in late April or early
May. A typical litter size is 4-6, but can be as
large as 12 pups.
Fun Fact: Wolves can trot at 5 MPH for long distances, and can reach top speeds of 36-38 MPH when
sprinting. They can jump as high as 8 feet and as far as 12 feet.
WSWS 3. Field Guide

GRAY WOLVES
What is the gray wolf’s role in the ecosystem?
Wolves are apex predators and a keystone species. Apex predators are at the top of their food chain and have no
natural predators. Keystone species play a unique and crucial role in how an ecosystem functions. Ecosystems
depend on their keystone species. Without it, they will change dramatically, and can cease to exist.
Summer, Shaggydog & Shae by Rae McCue
What do wolves eat?
Wolves are carnivores (meat eaters) who as predators hunt and
eat other animals known as prey. The wolf’s favorite prey is ungulates:
hoofed, grass-eating mammals such as elk, deer, caribou and
moose. Wolves generally eat every part of their prey except the hide,
skull, some large bones and rumen (the stomach contents). Wolves
will eat smaller animals like mice, fish, snakes, and rabbits, and will
sometimes eat grass, berries or other vegetables. When there is an
abundance of food, wolves may hide or store it. This is called caching.
Wolves can eat over 20 pounds in one sitting, and can go weeks without
eating when necessary. A healthy, wild, adult gray wolf can survive
on 2.5 pounds of food per day, but may need as much as 7 pounds
per day to reproduce successfully.
Wild Spirit’s Recues’ diet includes raw red meat, poultry, wild game and fish. Most Rescues eat 5 days a
week, and are fasted on Mondays and Thursdays. On Sundays, Rescues eat a special meal called “Sunday
Loaf,” a raw meat loaf packed with nutritional powders, grass powders, raw eggs, egg shells, carrots and
green beans that replicates the variety of nutrients they would consume in the wild.
Hunting
- Wolves are crepuscular, which means that they are most
active at dusk and dawn. This is when wolves typically
hunt. Wolves locate prey by scent, tracking, or chance.
Pack members may split up to scout for prey, or may work
with other animals like ravens.
- Wolves are opportunistic, preying on young, old, weak or
sick animals. They will sometimes chase prey that runs for
up to 13 miles to tire them out, while prey that hold their
ground may bluff wolves into retreat.
- Wolves are silent and focused when hunting, with tails
wagging and ears up.
Zoerro by Georgia Cougar
Common Behavioral Characteristics
- Wolves are neophobic, meaning they fear new things. Although wolves are often portrayed as predatory toward
people in mythology and popular culture, they are in fact characteristically frightened of humans.
- Wolves communicate using scent, vocalizations, and body language. They huff, puff, whine, snort, growl,
howl, and bark. Wolves will rub their bodies, particularly the area behind their cheeks, on objects to mark them
with their scent. They will also roll on scents or objects that interest them. This is called scent rolling. They will
scratch the ground, leaving a scent from the scent glands in their paws along with a physical mark. Of course,
wolves will mark their territory by urinating on items they believe belong to them.
- Dominance displays such as mounting, mouthing, growling, and body postures are part of a wolf’s every day
life. Like dogs, wolves raise and wag their tails for a variety of reasons such as expressing confidence, happiness,
play, affection, greeting and warnings. They approach from the side, and will only approach head on
when they are being dominant, extremely confident, or aggressive.
Fun Fact: Order of eating depends on pack hierarchy. Generally, the alphas eat first, but in some cases the
hungriest wolf may eat first. The omegas, however, always eats last.
WSWS 4. Field Guide

WOLF-DOGS
What is a wolf-dog?
A wolf-dog is any animal that is part wolf and part domestic dog. Wolf-dogs result from a variety of different
breeding pairs. The parents of a wolf-dog can be a wolf and a domestic dog, two wolf-dogs, a wolf-dog and a
domestic dog, or a wolf-dog and a wolf.
Nimoy by Meredith Williams
Wolf-Dogs As Pets
Born with an undomesticated brain, wolf-dogs bred to be pets will
be held against their naturally wild will and endure unnatural and
uncomfortable lives around humans. This often leads to a variety
of hardships and complications for both animal and owner that one
would not ordinarily experience with a domestic dog.
Due to their shared evolutionary past, wolves and dogs have many
of the same physical and behavioral characteristics. Their critical
difference, however, is that domestic dogs have been selectively
bred for thousands of years to adapt to sharing their lives with
humans while wolves have not. Breeding the two species often results
in uniquely individual offspring, possessing both wild wolf and
domestic dog traits, creating a highly unpredictable animal.
Comparing Wolves and Wolf-Dogs
The following pages briefly describe the physical and behavioral characteristics of wolves and wolf-dogs, as
well as their similarities and differences. Just like people, wolves’ physical characteristics can vary based on
their family traits, geographic location, and environment.
Wolves’ Common Physical Characteristics
Storm by Georgia Cougar
EARS are rounded and proportionate to head size with thick fur growing inside.
No flesh can be seen in the ear by simply looking.
EYES are at an angle and almost always amber in color. Rarely, eye color is gray
or green. Eyes are never brown, and except for when pups are born, never blue.
FACE Cheeks are wide with a long muzzle tapering to a black nose. The skull is
long with adequate space for an advanced brain needed for social group activity.
JAWS Wolves have large teeth and jaws with an estimated jaw pressure of 1500
pounds per square inch.
CHEST is narrow where the tops of the legs meet.
TORSO A wolf’s body shape is long and lean.
LEGS are long with elbows close together. Back legs are
cow-hocked outward so that when a wolf runs their front legs
fit between the back legs in a loping motion. When walking or
running, the hind foot often falls in the front foot’s track.
FEET are large, measuring 3.5 inches wide by 4.5 inches
long. The toes are long with webbing between them.
TAIL is long, bushy, and straight with a spot known as the
precaudal scent gland at the base of the tail. The tail can be
Zoerro by Rory Zoerb
11–20 inches in length.
FUR coloration can be gray, tan, black, brown, rusty red, cream, or white. Wolves have an efficient fur system
with two layers of fur: a top layer of long, tough guard hairs that repel water and dirt, and a short dense water
resistant undercoat that keeps wolves warm in snow and rain. The gray wolf’s undercoat is gray, whereas the
red wolf’s undercoat is red. A wolf’s guard hairs around their shoulder blades can be up to 6 inches long!
Fun Fact: Domestic dogs are so closely related to wolves genetically that they were taxonomically reclassified
as a subspecies of the gray wolf in 1993, now named Canis lupus familiaris.
WSWS 5. Field Guide

WOLF-DOGS
What is the wolf-dog’s role in the ecosystem?
Most members of the biological genus Canis, which includes wolves, wild and domestic dogs, coyotes, dingoes
and jackals, can interbreed to produce fertile offspring. In the case of wolf-dogs, although they can occur
naturally in the wild, it is a rarity. This is mainly because of the territorial nature of wolf packs. Wolf-dogs are
typically bred by humans for profit, and therefore have no role in the ecosystem.
Content Level
Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary uses the word ‘content’ to describe our wolf-dog Rescues. The word ‘content’ refers
to the amount of ‘wolf content’ in a wolf-dog, as indicated by observable physical and behavioral wolf characteristics.
For example, ‘high-content’ describes a wolf-dog as having high wolf-content, ‘mid-content’ describes
an animal with medium wolf-content, and ‘low-content’ describes an animal with low wolf-content.
Wolf-Dogs’ Common Physical Characteristics
EARS can be pointed or rounded at the tips, with thick or thin
fur lining the inside of the ear.
EYES can range in color from yellow to brown, blue or green.
Eye shape and position can be slanted like a wolf’s or set
straight like a dog’s.
FACE The skull shape can resemble that of a dog with a more
pronounced forehead stop, rounder skull, and a shorter, blunter
muzzle; or the skull can be wedge shaped like a wolf’s with a
long muzzle and pronounced cheek ruffs. The nose pigment
can be pink, black or both.
CHEST is broad like a dog’s, or narrow like a wolf’s.
TORSO The body shape is rounded or barrel shaped like a
dog’s, or thin and streamlined like a wolf’s.
LEGS can be long with elbows close together and back legs
cow-hocked like a wolf’s, or average length for a large dog.
FEET can be large or compact in size for a large dog with webbing
between the toes. Nails can be black, white, taupe or clear.
TAIL can be long and bushy, thin, or curled with or without the
Rain by Allison Bailey
precaudal spot. The tip of the tail can be white or black.
FUR color is varied like wolves and can be gray, tan, black, brown, rusty red, cream, or white. Wolf-dogs can
have a double layer fur system like wolves, or a single layer fur system like dogs. This variation in fur expression
can lead to the wolf-dog having difficulty molting in warm weather and growing fur in cool weather.
Like wolves, wolf-dogs often have a tapered cape of hair around their shoulders.
Nikki by Allison Bailey
Wolf-Dogs’ Common Behavioral Characteristics
- Like wolves, wolf-dogs are often neophobic (fearful of new things), yet
territorial and possessive of objects and spaces they think belong to
them.
- Wolf-dogs often communicate in the same manner as wolves by using
scent, vocalizations and body language. They huff, puff, whine, snort,
growl, howl, and bark. Some wolf-dogs bark more like dogs, repeatedly
and in a loud shrill tone.
- It is important to remember that wolf-dogs are generally unpredictable
with unique personalities, and that they can embody both wolf and doglike
traits.
Fun Fact: Wolves reach sexual maturity between 1 and 4 years, while domestic dogs typically mature at
6-8 months. Wolf-dogs mature anywhere in between, often exhibiting behavioral changes during this time.
WSWS 6. Field Guide

COYOTES
What are coyotes?
Coyotes are North American canids that are closely related to but smaller than gray wolves. They live in all
48 lower U.S. states, north across most of Canada and Alaska, and south through Central America as far
as Panama. Coyotes’ former range only included the U.S. states west of Mississippi and east of the Rocky
Mountains, north to Southern Canada and south to Northern Mexico. Both western settlers and wolf depletion
(wolves are coyotes natural predators) have helped expand the coyotes’ range to where it is today.
Jasa by Crystal Castellanos
Coyote Quick Facts
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. latrans
Group Name: Packs
Diet: Omnivore
Average Size (Adult Male): Stands under 2 feet
tall at shoulders and measures 48-70 inches from nose
to tail. Males are generally larger than females.
Average Weight (Adult Male): 20-35 lbs. The largest
coyote ever found was 75 pounds.
Average Life Span: 5-6 years in the wild (but up to
11), and up to 15 years or longer in captivity.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
Habitat & Territory: Where do coyotes live?
Coyotes inhabit diverse landscapes including desert scrub, prairies, grasslands, foothills, woodlands, oak savannahs,
subalpine forests, alpine meadows, open ponderosa pine forests, and temperate rainforests. They
have adapted to living in suburban neighborhoods and even urban parks. A coyote’s natural territory ranges
from half a mile to nearly 40 miles.
Coyote Packs
Coyotes live in pairs or small packs.
Coyote packs are typically smaller and less
permanent than wolf packs, with average
pack size being around 6 coyotes.
Pack Structure
Like wolves, an alpha male and alpha female
will lead a coyote pack. Posturing to
show dominance and submission is similar
to wolves.
Reproduction
Coyote litters average 4-6 pups, but can
be as large as 9-12 pups or more if food is
plentiful. Litter size depends on the local
coyote population, and tends to be smaller
where coyote populations are higher.
Fig. 2: The coyote’s habitat range is in red.
Fun Fact: Coyotes can reach speeds of 40 MPH. They amble at 13 MPH and trot at 16 MPH. They can
roam anywhere from 3-7 miles per day.
WSWS 7. Field Guide

COYOTES
What is the coyote’s role in the ecosystem?
Coyotes have a very important role in their ecosystem as predators. They help keep populations of mice, rabbits
and other small animals in balance. They also prey on other predators such as raccoons and skunks,
which benefits animals like birds, rodents, and other small animals. Gray wolves are the coyote’s main predator.
Mountain lions and bears also prey on coyotes from time to time. Coyote pups are more vulnerable than
adults, and can be preyed on by hawks, eagles, badgers, and even domestic dogs. Typically, only 1 in 5 coyotes
live past their first year.
Common Physical Characteristics
EARS are broad and pointed.
EYES are typically yellow.
FACE Coyotes have narrow pointed faces and long, tapered
muzzles.
CHEST is narrow.
TORSO Coyotes are smaller than wolves and tend to be more
slender than dogs.
LEGS are slender.
FEET are relatively small, measuring 1.5 inches wide by 2.5
inches long.
TAIL is long, bushy, and straight, usually black tipped with a
black spot at the base of the tail.
FUR ranges from grizzled gray to reddish gray, blonde or dark
gray with a white or cream underside. Southwestern coyotes
tend to be lighter colored than those in the Northeast.
Common Behavioral
Characteristics
- Coyotes communicate through facial
expressions, body language and sounds.
They display dominance and submission
much like other canids. Dominant postures
include standing with stiff legs, an arched
back, bared teeth, and hackles and tails
raised. Submissive postures include looking
away from dominant pack members,
tucking the tail between the legs, and rolling
over to expose their underside.
- Coyotes solicit for play by bowing to the
ground with their front legs outstretched
like wolves and dogs.
- Coyotes’ scientific name means “barking
dog.” They make over a dozen unique
sounds, including howls, yelps, yips, yodels,
yaps, screams, wails, laughs, gurgles,
growls, huffs and chuffs.
- The coyote’s ability to make this cacophony
of sounds allows one coyote to sound
like three in the wild.
What do coyotes eat?
Coyotes are omnivores, which means they eat a varied
diet of meat and vegetables. Like wolves, they are opportunists.
They are known to eat rodents, cats, foxes,
and other small predators. Coyotes sometimes prey on
livestock including chickens, cattle and sheep on open
pastures. However, when coyotes are left to themselves
they rarely attack livestock. Biologists and environmentalists
site evidence that campaigns to kill coyotes cause
pack dynamic changes that lead to increased attacks on
livestock, as well as increased rodent populations.
Coyotes can eat up to almost one third of their body
weight in a sitting and will then fast for days. They can
also survive on 1 jackrabbit every 4-5 days if necessary.
Hunting
Coyotes use their keen eyesight and sharp senses of
smell and hearing to hunt. When hunting small prey like
mice, they typically hunt alone. When hunting jackrabbits
or larger prey they hunt in pairs, taking turns chasing and
herding the animal toward their partner in an ambush.
Coyotes will work together as a pack to take down deer,
elk and pronghorn antelope.
Fun Fact: Like wolves and other wild canids, coyotes’ hearing is sharp. In the winter, they can hear mice
moving through tunnels beneath the snow.
WSWS 8. Field Guide

Activity Page
Question and Answer Section
1. What is Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary’s mission?
6. What are wolves’ role in the ecosystem?
2. What is Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary’s motto?
7. What is a wolf-dog?
3. Is it OKAY to keep wild animals as pets?
8. Where do red foxes live?
4. Why or why not?
9. How large are dingo packs?
5. Why can’t Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary release its
Rescues back into the wild?
10. Why are New Guinea Singing Dogs called
‘‘Singers”?
Coloring Section
Illustration by Jacque Evans
WSWS 9. Field Guide

Can you find these words?
Apex Predator
Canid
Carnivore
Coyote
Dingo
Education
Keystone Species
Red Fox
Rescue
Sanctuary
Singer
Wild Spirit
Wolf
Wolf-Dog
Wolf Pack
This word search was created by
Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com
Activity Page
WILD SPIRIT WORD SEARCH
Hint: Words go in all directions: up, down, backwards, forwards, and diagonal!
Coloring Section
Illustration by Jacque Evans
WSWS 10. Field Guide

AUSTRALIAN DINGOES
What are Australian dingoes?
Australian dingoes are Australia’s wild dog, though they are also found in Southeast Asia. They are medium
sized wild canids believed to be descendants of the Asian wolf. It is thought that dingoes first arrived in Australia
between 3,000 and 5,000 years ago by either crossing existing land bridges to the continent from Asia, or being
introduced to the continent by Southeast Asian seafarers.
Aussie by Meredith Williams
Australian Dingoes Quick Facts
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus dingo
Group Name: Pack
Diet: Carnivore
Average Size (Adult Male): Stands 20-24 inches
at the shoulder, with a head and body 3.5-4 feet long,
and a tail that is 12-13 inches long. Females are generally
smaller than males.
Average Weight (Adult Male): 26-52 pounds.
Average Life Span: 8-10 years in the wild, and up to
14 years or more in captivity.
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
Habitat & Territory: Where do Australian dingoes live?
Australian dingoes live in a wide range of habitats on the Australian mainland, excluding Tasmania. They are
found in alpine, woodland, grassland, desert and tropical regions, though they favor forest edges near grasslands.
Dingoes travel an average of 6-12 miles a day.
The Dingoes of Fraser Island
Dingoes of Fraser Island within the Great Sandy National Park are considered to be the purest strain of dingo
in eastern Australia, and perhaps Australia-wide. Dingoes of Fraser Island are of significant conservation value
because they have rarely interbred with domestic or feral dogs. In much of Australia, dingoes commonly breed
with domestic and feral dogs. Dingo-dog cross breeds can even be found in suburban areas. It is estimated
that more than a third of Southeastern Australia’s dingoes are hybrids.
Fig. 3: Map of dingo distribution in Australia.
Fig. 4: Close up view and location of Fraser Island.
Fun Fact: Though dingoes once inhabited Australia’s fertile Southeast, a 3,488 mile long fence (considered
the longest fence in the world) was erected beginning in the 1880s to keep dingoes from flocks of sheep.
WSWS 11. Field Guide

AUSTRALIAN DINGOES
What is the Australian Dingo’s role in the ecosystem?
Dingoes are Australia’s largest mammalian carnivores, making them an apex predator and a keystone species
in their ecosystem.
Common Physical Characteristics
EARS are pointed.
EYES are almond shaped and range in color
from yellow to amber to brown.
FACE Dingoes have a relatively broad head
and a long tapered muzzle.
JAWS Dingoes’ carnassial and canine teeth
are larger than those of a domestic dog.
TORSO The dingo’s body shape is lean.
FUR on the body is short.
TAIL The tail is bushy and bottle shaped to
provide balance.
FUR color varies from sandy yellow to red
ginger, black, black-tan or white. Dingoes
typically have white markings on their feet,
tail tip and chest.
Pack Structure
Dingoes can live in packs of up to 12 animals.
A dingo pack, like most canine packs, generally
consists of an extended family comprised
of a mating pair, the year’s offspring and occasionally
the offspring of previous years. Packs
typically remain in the territory of their birth,
and defend their territory against other packs.
Dingoes have a dominance hierarchy between
and within both males and females of the pack.
The dominant pair are usually the only successful
breeders, while other pack members
often assist with rearing the pups.
Kooyong by Georgia Cougar
Uluru by Georgia Cougar
Common Behavioral Characteristics.
- Like wolves, dingoes are most active at dawn and dusk. They
communicate like many other canids through scent, body language
and sound.
- Dingoes will defecate and urinate on objects to mark their
territory.
- Common vocalizations include howls, bark howls or coughs,
snuffles, growls, and moans. Dingoes often howl to locate individuals
and to ward off strangers. A bark howl or cough may
be used in the presence of danger to alarm pups and pack
members to flee or hide. Vocalizations increase as breeding
season approaches.
What do Australian dingoes eat?
Dingoes eat a variety of prey, including wallaby, kangaroo,
rabbits, possums, gliders, rats, mice, birds and lizards. They
also eat fruit and plants. Though dingoes do not typically prey
on domestic livestock, they are often blamed for attacks on
livestock by feral dogs or dingo-dogs.
Hunting
Dingo hunting is opportunistic and occurs both alone and in
cooperative packs. When hunting small prey, dingoes may
hunt alone or in pairs, but often hunt in groups or packs when
pursuing large prey.
Reproduction
Dingoes breed once a year, usually from March to June. Litter
size ranges from four to six pups. Pups are not independent
until they reach 6 to 8 months of age. They may leave shortly
after weaning or stay with the pack for up to a year. They can
start breeding as early as age 1 or 2.
Fun Fact: Dingoes play an important role in the myths, folklore and history of Australia’s indigenous people,
the Aboriginals. They are connected to Aboriginal holy places, totems, rituals and dream characters.
WSWS 12. Field Guide

NEW GUINEA SINGING DOGS
What are New Guinea Singing Dogs?
New Guinea Singing Dogs (NGSD) or “Singers” are wild dogs that resemble small Australian dingoes. They
are indigenous to the islands of Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean. Like their closest relative, the dingo,
it is thought that New Guinea Singing Dogs were transported to New Guinea from Asia by travelers 4000 years
ago. Though scientists believe that New Guinea Singing Dogs have lived wild or partially domesticated in New
Guinea since that time, they are currently the most critically endangered and least studied wild canids in the
world. In fact, they are perhaps the world’s most rare breed of dog, and are at risk of becoming genetically extinct
in the wild.
New Guinea Singing Dogs Quick Facts
Bowie by Georgia Cougar
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. hallstromi
Group Name: New Guinea Singing Dogs are thought
to live in pairs in the wild. They do not live in packs.
Diet: Carnivore
Average Size (Adult Male): Stands 16-18 inches at
the shoulder, and 28-36 inches long. Females are generally
slightly smaller than males.
Average Weight (Adult Male): 25-30 pounds.
Average Life Span: Little is known about NGSDs life
span in the wild. They can live 19-20 years in captivity.
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
Habitat & Territory: Where do New Guinea Singing Dogs live?
Historically, New Guinea Singing Dogs have lived in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. However, in 2012,
what appeared to be a wild New Guinea Singing Dog was spotted in the remote Star Mountains region of West
Papua. In both locations, NGSDs inhabit vast, dense forests and uninhabited mountain ranges. In captivity,
NGSDs are kept in public and private zoos in the United States, Canada, Germany, the Czech Republic, and the
United Kingdom. They have also been increasingly kept in private homes as pets.
Origin In Captivity
The first live pair of New Guinea Singing Dogs were taken
from Papua New Guinea in 1957 and sent to the Taronga
Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Their offspring were sent to zoos
around the world. Between 1957 and 1981, two separate
expeditions conducted by different countries obtained a
total of 6 wild caught New Guinea Singing Dogs that were
added to the existing captive bloodlines. Today’s entire
captive population of NGSDs has descended from those
eight individuals, making the species very inbred. Efforts
to capture more wild NGSDs have been unsuccessful due
to their habitat, elusive nature, and a lack of funding for
expeditions.
In 1995, the entire population of captive NGSDs was
estimated to be approximately 300 animals. Today, the
captive population is likely more than 1000.
Fig. 5: Geopolitcal map of West Papau.
Classification
Since the 1950s, NGSDs taxonomic classification
has changed three times! They have been
classified as wild dogs, Canis hallstromi, feral
dogs as a subspecies of the Australian dingo,
Canis lupus familiaris dingo, and are now back
to their original classification, Canis hallstromi.
Fun Fact: “Singers” got their name from their unique trilling vocalizations. They have a rudimentary twolobed
uvula that is uncommon in canids but occurs in pigs, ox, and sheep, which enable these sounds.
WSWS 13. Field Guide

NEW GUINEA SINGING DOGS
What is the New Guinea Singing Dog’s role in the ecosystem?
New Guinea Singing Dogs are New Guinea’s top non-human mammalian predator. This makes them an apex
predator and keystone species in their ecosystem. Singers are considered to be in ecological balance with
their prey based on the fact that there have been no local extinctions of their prey species.
Common Physical Characteristics
EARS are cupped and can swivel independently.
EYES are dark amber or dark brown, angled obliquely,
and triangle shaped.
FACE NGSDs have wide cheeks. They sometimes have
darker muzzles that fade with age, and often have white
around their chin.
JAWS NGSDs have larger carnassial teeth than domestic
dogs (a wild dog trait). Carnassial teeth are paired
upper and lower molars, premolars or both.
TORSO NGSDs are flexible enough to fit through any
opening wide enough to fit their head.
FUR is double with soft under fur and coarse outer fur
that is thick over the shoulders, back, and outer thighs.
TAIL curls over the back and has thick brushy fur underneath.
The tip of the tail is often white with the underside
of the tail being lighter in color than the top.
FUR color ranges from tan to red to black and tan. The
Princess by Georgia Cougar
neck, chest, and toes are typically white.
Reba by Georgia Cougar
What do NGSDs eat?
NGSDs are opportunistic predators
and scavengers. They prey on
small to medium sized marsupials,
birds and rodents. They will also
eat fruit. They have been reported
to eat prey left in hunters traps,
steal kills from Harpy eagles, and
to attempt to attack cassowaries.
Common Behavioral Characteristics
- NGSDs personality is extremely secretive and shy in the wild. In captivity
they can be quite friendly and interested in human interaction.
- NGSDs show submission by pointing their ears to the side. Other behaviors
include head tosses, cheek rubs, and open mouth bites.
- NGSDs are very intelligent, curious, and flexible - they can climb and
jump like cats - making them very difficult to confine.
- NGSDs sing to voice excitement, greeting, and play solicitation. Their
sing-song like howls change pitch at the end of the howl. During group
howls, each NGSD takes a different note.
- Other NGSD vocalizations include screams, purrs, non-repetitive
barks, and whining with their mouths open. Combinations of these noises
and other usual canid noises are also possible, such as growling,
moaning, whining, snorting, and yelping.
Hunting
Due to their rarity and reclusiveness in the wild, little is known about
New Guinea Singing Dogs’ hunting practices.
Reproduction
NGSDs are known to pair bond during mating season. Female NGSDs
come into heat between late July and September. Pups are usually
born in October and November. Both parents participate in caring for
and feeding the young. The average litter size is 4 pups.
Fun Fact: New Guinea Singing Dogs have been known to open doorknobs, sliding doors, and door latches!
They are flexible enough to easily slip out of normal dog collars and harnesses.
WSWS 14. Field Guide

Red Foxes
What are red foxes?
Red foxes are members of the genus Vulpes, commonly called True Foxes. Though foxes are members of the
family Canidae, they are distinguished from members of the genus Canis, which includes wolves, coyotes, and
dogs, due to their smaller size and flatter skulls. Red foxes are the largest members of the fox family, and the
most widely distributed member of the order Carnivora, which includes the family Canidae.
Romeo by Angel Borden
Red Fox Quick Facts
Family: Canidae
Genus: Vulpes
Species: V. vulpes
Group Name: Skulk or Leash
Diet: Omnivore
Average Size (Adult Male): Stands 15-16 inches
at the shoulder, with a head and body 18-33.75 inches
long, and a tail that is 12-21.75 inches long.
Average Weight (Adult Male): 6.5-24 pounds.
Average Life Span: 2-4 years in the wild; up to 10
years in captivity.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
Habitat & Territory: Where do red foxes live?
Red foxes live in dens that they dig or burrow. Their diverse habitats include forests, grasslands, wetlands,
mountains, and deserts. Their native range spans the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to
North Africa, throughout North America and Eurasia. Though not native to the continent, they were introduced
to Australia in the 1800s where there is now a steady population. In the United States, red foxes can be found
from Alaska to Florida, though their smallest population in the U.S. is in the Southwest. Red foxes have adapted
well to human environments and can be found in rural, suburban and urban areas.
Distribution Of The Red Fox
Distribution Of The Red Fox
Native
Introduced
Presence Uncertain
Fig. 6: Red fox distribution internationally.
Romeo by Georgia Cougar
Reproduction
Red foxes mate in the winter. The female fox, called a vixen, typically gives birth to a litter of 2 to 12 pups (also
called cubs or kits). At birth, red foxes are brown or gray, but usually grow a new red coat by the end of their first
month. Parents care for their young through the summer until the pups are able to go out on their own in the fall.
Fun Fact: The surest way to tell the difference between a gray fox and a red fox is to look at the tip of the
tail. Gray foxes’ tails have a black tip whereas red fox tails are white-tipped.
WSWS 15. Field Guide

Red Foxes
What is the red fox’s role in the ecosystem?
Red foxes help control populations of their prey animals, such as rodents and rabbits, and help disperse seeds
by eating fruit. Foxes are prey animals to gray wolves, coyotes, bears, lynx, eagles, mountain lions, and humans.
Common Physical Characteristics
EARS large and pointed.
EYES of adult red foxes are yellow or amber.
FACE Red foxes have a long snout. The nose is
dark brown or black.
JAWS The length of their jaws is more than half the
length of their head. They have sharp canines and
strong molars.
TORSO The body shape is typically slender.
LEGS are short.
FEET Red foxes have 5 toes on their front feet and
four on their rear feet.
TAIL The tail, also called a brush, is long, thick and
fluffy with a white tip.
FUR is usually red across the face, back, sides and
tail, with grayish-white throat, chin, and underside,
black feet, black tipped ears, and a white tipped
tail. Fur on the body, face and tail is thick and fluffy.
Generally red, some red foxes have golden, reddish-brown,
silver, or even black fur.
Romeo by Nicole Schepker
Common Behavioral Characteristics
- Red foxes are characteristically resourceful and
adaptable, earning them a reputation for being intelligent,
cunning and sly.
- Like many of their canid cousins, red foxes use
scent as a form of communication by urinating or
scent marking on objects like trees and rocks to alert
other foxes to their presence. They also have very
strong scent glands that produce a skunk-like scent.
- Like a cat’s, the fox’s tail aids its balance and is
used as a warm cover in cold weather. Foxes also
use their tails as signal flags to communicate with
other foxes.
- Foxes communicate using a variety of vocalizations
that range in meaning from attracting a mate to protecting
their territory. Red fox vocalizations include
screams, barks, whines, squeals, and growls.
- Unlike wolves, coyotes and dogs, red foxes are
solitary animals preferring to live the majority of their
lives alone.
What do red foxes eat?
Red foxes are opportunistic omnivores. Their diet is flexible, much like their range of habitat. Though they prefer
rabbits and rodents, their diet can also consist of birds, insects, worms, fish, frogs and other amphibians,
carrion, fruits and vegetables. If living near humans, foxes are known to eat garbage and pet food.
Hunting
Adult red foxes are solitary hunters. With an ability to hear low-frequency sounds, their keen sense of hearing
helps them locate prey in thick grass, snow, and underground burrows.
Fun Fact: In some farming areas where foxes were killed off or removed, the incidence of rodents increased
so much that foxes had to be re-introduced.
WSWS 16. Field Guide

Alpha – adj. – Socially dominant, especially in a group of animals.
Beta – adj. – Second in position, or second in command in a
group of animals.
Apex Predator – n. – A predator at the top of a food chain that is
not preyed upon by any other animal.
Cache – n. – A hiding place especially for concealing and preserving
provisions or implements; a secure place of storage;
something hidden or stored in a cache.
Canid – n. – Any animal of the dog family Canidae, including
wolves, jackals, hyenas, coyotes, foxes, and domestic dogs.
Canidae – n. – A family of carnivorous mammals that includes
dogs, wolves, jackals, and foxes.
Cassowary – n. – A very large flightless bird related to the emu,
with a bare head and neck, a tall horny crest, and one or two colored
wattles. It is native mainly to the forests of New Guinea.
Carnassial – adj. – Denoting the large upper premolar and lower
molar teeth of a carnivore, adapted for shearing flesh.
Carnivore – n. – An animal that eats flesh.
Carrion – n. – Dead and putrefying flesh; rottenness; anything
vile. Adjective – feeding on carrion.
Crepuscular – adj. – Occurring or active during twilight.
IUCN Red List – n. – The International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (also known
as the IUCN Red List or Red Data List), founded in 1964, is the
Gray Wolves (pages 3 – 4)
- Animal Corner. (n.d.). Wolf anatomy. Retrieved on February, 11,
2016, from https://animalcorner.co.uk/wolf-anatomy/
- Lopez, B. H. (1978). Of wolves and men. New York, NY: Simon &
Schuster.
- National Geographic Education. (2014). Gray wolf educator
guide: Exploring a keystone species with students in grades K-12.
Retrieved on February, 20, 2016, from http://education.nationalgeographic.org/media/gray-wolf-educator-guide/
Wolf-Dogs (pages 5 – 6)
- Addams, J. & Miller, A. (2012). Between dog and wolf:
Understanding the connection and the confusion. Wenatchee, WA:
Dogwise Publishing.
- International Wolf Center. (n.d.). Wolf-dog hybrids. Retrieved
on February, 11, 2016, from http://www.wolf.org/wolf-info/
basic-wolf-info/wolves-and-humans/wolf-dog-hybrids/
- Mission Wolf. (n.d.). Differences between wolves and dogs.
Retrieved on February, 11, 2016, from http://missionwolf.org/page/
wolf-dog-difference/
- Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary. (n.d.) Guide to proper identification
of wolves and wolfdogs. Retrieved on February, 11, 2016, from
http://www.saintfrancissanctuary.org/forms/ID%20Guide.pdf
Coyotes (pages 7 – 8)
- Pinellas County Animal Services. (n.d.). Physical features.
Retrieved on February, 11, 2016, from https://www.pinellascounty.
org/animalservices/coyotes/appearance.html
- Rigsby, M. (2008). Frequently asked questions about coyotes.
China: Western National Parks Association.
Australian Dingoes (pages 11 – 12)
- Alice Springs Desert Park. (n.d.). Nature notes – Dingo. Retrieved
on February 11, 2016, from http://www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.
au/kids/nature/mammals/dingo.shtml
- Australian Dingo Conservation Association. (2011). Dingo – physical
characteristics. Retrieved on February 11, 2016, from http://
Glossary
References
world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation
status of biological species.
Keystone Species – n. – A species on which other species
in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the
ecosystem would change drastically.
Neophobia – n. – Dread or aversion to novelty (fear of new
things).
Non-releasable – adj. – Describes wild animals that have been
determined unlikely to survive in the wild if released from captivity.
Omega – adj. – The lowest ranking member, or least dominant, in
a group of animals.
Omnivore – n. – An animal that eats both animals and plant
foods.
Precaudal Scent Gland – n. – A spot of different color fur at
the base of a canid’s tail marking a scent gland.
Prohibition – n. – (Often initial capital letter) the period (1920–
33) when the Eighteenth Amendment was in force and alcoholic
beverages could not legally be manufactured, transported, or sold
in the U.S.
Rumen – n. – the first division of the stomach of a ruminant animal,
in which most food collects after being swallowed and from
which it is later returned to the mouth as cud for thorough chewing.
Taxonomy – n. – The science dealing with the description, identification,
naming, and classification of organisms.
www.dingoconservation.org.au/dingo-physical.html
- Australia Zoo. (n.d.). Mammals - Dingoes. Retrieved on February
11, 2016, from http://www.australiazoo.com.au/our-animals/
mammals/dingoes
- Burrell, S. (2015, October 5). Animal species: Dingo. Retrieved
on February 11, 2016, from http://australianmuseum.net.au/dingo
- Hintze, M. (2013, April 27). Life expectancy: Canis lupus
dingo. Retrieved on February 11, 2016, from http://eol.org/
data_objects/31383019
- kuschk. (2012, March 15). The dingo fence. Retrieved on
February 11, 2016, from http://basementgeographer.com/
the-dingo-fence/
- National Geographic. (n.d.). Dingo: Canis dingo. Retrieved on
February 11, 2016, from http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/
animals/mammals/dingo/
- OneKind. (2010). Dingo. Retrieved from http://www.onekind.org/
education/animals_a_z/dingo/
- Queensland Government Department of Environment and
Heritage Protection. (2015, May 7). Dingoes. Retrieved from
https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/livingwith/dingoes/
- Queensland Government Department of National Parks, Sport
and Racing. (2014, August 20). About Fraser Island dingoes.
Retrieved from http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser/fraserisland-dingoes.html
New Guinea Singing Dogs (pages 13 – 14)
- Conservators’ Center. (2011). New Guinea Singing Dogs.
Retrieved from http://www.conservatorscenter.org/seeanimalpics.
cfm?Species=New%20Guinea%20Singing%20Dog
- Corbett, L.K. Canis lupus ssp. dingo. IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List
of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. www.iucnredlist.org. 2008.
(accessed May 26, 2012).
- Crew, B. (2013, July 5). Expedition to find the New Guinea
Singing Dog: The rarest dog in the world. Retrieved from http://
blogs.scientificamerican.com/running-ponies/expedition-to-find-thenew-guinea-singing-dog-the-rarest-dog-in-the-world/
- Crew, B. (2012, December 10). First photo of rare,
WSWS 17. Field Guide

wild New Guinea singing dog in 23 years. Retrieved
from http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/running-ponies/
first-photo-of-rare-wild-new-guinea-singing-dog-in-23-years/
- Dalgleish, J. (2008, November 30). Frequently asked questions
about New Guinea Singing Dogs as pets. Retrieved from http://
newguinea-singing-dog-conservation.org/FAQ.html
- New Guinea Singing Dog International. (2011.) Description.
Retrieved from http://www.newguineasingingdoginternational.com/
description.html
- New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society. (2012).
Description of New Guinea Singing Dogs. Retrieved from http://
newguinea-singing-dog-conservation.org/Description.html
- Feinstein, M., Prattis, S., Solano, M., & Wetmore, L. (2001.)
Vocal tract anatomy and Vocal behavior in the New Guinea Singing
Dog. Canid biology and conservation. Abstract from the IUCN
Canid Specialist Group Conference. Univ. of Oxford, England,
Sept. 17 – 22.
- Koler-Matznick, J., Brisbin Jr., I.L., Feinstein, M., & Bulmer, S.
(2003). An updated description of the New Guinea Singing Dog
(Canis hallstromi, Troughton 1957). The Zoological Society of
London. 2003. 261: 109-116. Retrieved from http://newguineasinging-dog-conservation.org/tidbits/zoolsociety.pdf
- Koler-Metznick, J, Brisbin, Jr., I. L., & Feinstein, M. (2005). An
ethogram for the New Guinea Singing (wild) Dog (Canis hallstromi).
New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society. 1-47.
- Koler-Matznick, J., Yates, B. C., Julmaer, S. & Brisbin, Jr., I. L.
(2007). The New Guinea Singing Dog: Its status and scientific importance.
Australian Mammalogy. 29: 47-56.
- Koler-Matznick, J., Stinner, M. (2010). First report of captive New
Guinea Dingo (Canis dingo hallstromi) den-digging and parental
behavior. Zoo Biology. 29:1-5.
- Koler-Matznick, J. (2004). The New Guinea Singing Dog.
Excerpts from a book in press. (Kennel Club Books).
Fig. 1: pg. 3: “Gray Wolf Range” by Eribro is licensed under CC
BY-SA.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AGray_Wolf_Range.
png
Fig. 2: pg. 7: Canid Specialist Group. Coyote: Canis latrans. (n.d.).
Retrieved on February, 11, 2016, from http://www.canids.org/
species/view/PREKJA587951
Fig. 3 pg. 11: “Dingo-Distribution-Fleming” by Inugami-bargho is licensed
under CC BY-SA.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dingo-Distribution-
Fleming.png
Wild Spirit Word Search Answer Key
(Over, Down, Direction)
Apex Predator (2, 15, E)
Canid (9, 12, W)
Carnivore (14, 11, W)
Coyote (5, 1, E)
Dingo (13, 1, SW)
Education (11, 1, SW)
Keystone Species (1, 15, NE)
Red Fox (15, 7, S)
Rescue (2, 13, NE)
Sanctuary (2, 4, S)
Singer (9, 9, SE)
Wild Spirit (4, 1, SE)
Wolf (15, 4, NW)
Wolf-Dog (1, 7, N)
Wolf Pack (9, 8, NW)
References
Map Sources
Answer Key
- San Diego Zoo. (n.d.). Mammals: Singing Dog; About. Retrieved
from http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/singing-dog
- New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society. (n.d.). New
Guinea Singing Dogs: Overview. Retrieved from http://newguineasinging-dog-conservation.org/
- Tonic: News that’ll make you feel good. (2012). Eighty-five rare
Singing Dogs discovered at Pennsylvania home. http://www.tonic.
com/post/rare-singing-dogs-discovered-at-pennsylvania-home/
Red Fox (pages 15 – 16)
- Fox, D. (2007). Vulpes vulpes. Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved
on February 11, 2016 from http://www.biokids.umich.edu/accounts/
Vulpes_vulpes/
- Macdonald, D.W. & Reynolds, J.C. 2008. Vulpes vulpes. The
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T23062A9412884.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T23062A9412884.
en. Downloaded on 11 February 2016.
- National Geographic. (n.d.). Red fox: Vulpes vulpes. Retrieved
from http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/
red-fox/
- National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). Red fox. Retrieved on
February 11, 2016, from https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-
Library/Mammals/Red-Fox.aspx
- The Nature Conservancy. Wetlands mammals: Red fox. (n.d.).
Retrieved on February 11, 2016, from http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/utah/placesweprotect/
fact-sheets-mammals-1.pdf
- Red fox. (2016, February 10). In Wikipedia. Retrieved on
February, 11, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_fox
- Switch Zoo. (n.d.). Animal profiles: Red fox. Retrieved from http://
switchzoo.com/profiles/redfox.htm
- Vulpes. (2016, January 6). In Wikipedia. Retrieved on February,
11, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulpes
Fig. 4 pg. 11: “Fraser island locator map2” by Airin is licensed under
the public domain.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fraser_island_locator_
map2.jpg
Fig. 5 pg. 13: Free West Papau: Papau Merdeka. (2014, May 9).
[Geopolitcal map of West Papau]. Retrieved February 11, 216, from
https://freewestpapua.wordpress.com/
Fig. 6 pg. 15: “Wiki-Vulpes vulpes” by Zoologist is licensed under
CC BY-SA.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wiki-Vulpes_vulpes.png
Answer Key to Question and Answer Section
Q1 Answer: Rescue, sanctuary and education.
Q2 Answer: Wild animals are not pets!
Q3 Answer: No.
Q4 Answer: Wild animals belong in the wild.
Q5 Answer: It is irresponsible to release innately wild animals with a reduced
fear of humans back into the wild once they have been in captivity, and especially
if they were brought into captivity at a very young age.
Q6 Answer: Wolves are apex predators and a keystone species. They help
keep the ecosystem in balance.
Q7 Answer: Any mix between a wolf and a dog.
Q8 Answer: Red foxes live in forests, grasslands, wetlands, mountains and
deserts. They are found throughout the entire northern hemisphere.
Q9 Answer: Dingoes live in packs of up to 12 animals.
Q10 Answer: NGSDs are called “Singers” because of their unique trilling voice,
which is made possible by their rudimentary two lobed uvula.
WSWS 18. Field Guide

Illustration by Jacque Evans

Wild spirit wolf sanctuary
378 candy kitchen road
hc 61 box 28
ramah, nm 87321
www.wildspiritwolfsanctuary.org
Phone number: 505-775-3304
email: info@wildspiritwolfsanctuary.org