Black-faced dog (SciiFii)

The black-faced dog (Aenocanis ater) is a species of wild dog, most closely related to the bush dog (Speothos venaticus), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across southeastern United States to help boost biodiversity. The black-faced dog can be distinguished from feral dogs by its deep blondish-brown fur, large rounded ears (which are erect like other wild dogs), and black-colored face, hence its name. Unlike most large canids, which are generalist feeders, the black-faced dog is a highly specialised feeder of rodents and rabbits. The black-faced dog is a social animal, living in family groups containing up to 20 adults (individuals older than one year), though packs of six black-faced dogs are more common. Packs are formed by dispersing males and a few females, which with the exception of the breeding female, are reproductively suppressed. Each pack has a well-established hierarchy, with dominance and subordination displays being common. Upon dying, a breeding female can be replaced by a resident daughter, though this increases the risk of inbreeding. Such a risk is sometimes circumvented by multiple paternity and extra-pack matings. The dispersal of black-faced dogs from their packs is largely restricted by the scarcity of unoccupied habitat. The mating season usually takes place between February and May. Courtship involves the breeding male following the female closely. The breeding female only accepts the advances of the breeding male, or males from other packs. The gestation period is 60–62 days, with pups being born between April and July. Pups are born toothless and with their eyes closed, and are covered in a charcoal-grey coat with a buff patch on the chest and abdomen. Litters consist of two to six pups, which emerge from their den after three weeks, when the dark coat is gradually replaced with the adult colouration. By the age of five weeks, the pups feed on a combination of milk and solid food, and become completely weaned off milk at the age of 10 weeks to six months. All members of the pack contribute to protecting and feeding the pups, with subordinate females sometimes assisting the dominant female by suckling them. Full growth and sexual maturity are attained at the age of two years. Cooperative breeding and pseudopregnancy have been observed in black-faced dogs. Most females disperse from their natal pack at about two years of age, and some become "floaters" that may successfully immigrate into existing packs. Breeding pairs are most often unrelated to each other, suggesting that female-biased dispersal reduces inbreeding. Inbreeding is ordinarily avoided because it leads to a reduction in progeny fitness (inbreeding depression) due largely to the homozygous expression of deleterious recessive alleles. The conservation status of the black-faced dog is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the black-faced dog's wide range.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii