Canidae

/ˈkænɪˌdi/ noun

Definition

The scientific family name for dogs, wolves, foxes, coyotes, and similar carnivorous mammals.

Etymology

Scientific Latin, formalized by Carolus Linnaeus in the 18th century, based on canis (dog) with the standard -idae family suffix used in biological taxonomy.

Kelly Says

Linnaeus created a naming system so precise that a scientist in Japan and a scientist in Brazil can discuss the exact same animal using one Latin name—it's biology's universal language.

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