Short-eared dog

The short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis) is a rare, elusive canid native to the Amazon Basin. It is the only living species in its genus.

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Canidae: Canidae is the mammal family that includes dogs, wolves, foxes, and their relatives. The short-eared dog is a distinctive South American member of this family.
Omnivory: Omnivory is a feeding pattern that includes foods from both animal and plant sources. The short-eared dog eats varied foods, including small animals and fruit.
Camera trap: A camera trap is a remotely triggered camera used to photograph wildlife without an observer present. Camera traps document a species rarely seen directly in its forest habitat.
IUCN Red List: The IUCN Red List assesses species’ extinction risk using standardized categories and criteria. Its assessment summarizes the species’ recognized conservation status and evidence gaps.
Atelocynus: Atelocynus is a genus of canids represented today by the short-eared dog. The species is the genus’s sole living representative.
Animal locomotion: Animal locomotion is movement by an animal from one place to another. Its compact build and habitat influence how it travels through forest and water.
Radio telemetry: Radio telemetry tracks an animal by detecting signals from a transmitter it carries. Tracking can reveal movements that brief sightings and photographs cannot.
Population viability analysis: Population viability analysis uses demographic models to estimate a population’s risk of extinction. Reliable estimates remain difficult when the species’ abundance and trends are poorly known.
Amazon Basin: The Amazon Basin is the vast drainage region of the Amazon River and its tributaries in South America. Its range lies in the basin’s tropical forests and wetlands.
Swimming: Swimming is movement through water using coordinated body motions. The short-eared dog is reported to swim readily in its wetland habitat.