Abstract:
The members of the canine family, wolves, coyotes, foxes, dogs, and to a lesser extent jackals, are one of the best known and widely distributed animal groups. However, compared to bats or dolphins, their acoustic characteristics have received relatively little attention. Although the principal methods of oral communication such as howls, barking, yelping, growls, and whimpers have been identified [Acoustic Behaviour of Animals, edited by R.-G. Busnel (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1963)], modern analyses of source (and noise) levels have not been reported. This paper presents the results so far to correct this deficiency and from this work it is estimated how changes in environmental noise conditions might impact (and be impacted by) canine communication.