Page 12 - Dog

Dogs’ bones

The skeleton of a mammal provides the
solid framework on which the rest of the body Skull of a
wolf can always be
is built. The bones of the skull protect the recognized by the large size of
brain, mouth, eyes, nose, and ears. The the tearing, or carnassial, teeth
backbone supports the heart, lungs, LARGE AS LIFE
and digestive system. The shoulder Apart from some giant domestic
OLD MOTHER HUBBARD blade and hip girdle are the pivots dogs, the wolf (pp. 22–23)
has the largest
This familiar nursery rhyme crone that allow the limb bones to move. skeleton of all
has no bones for her dog to chew the animals
(pp. 62–63) – “her cupboard is bare.” Attached to the ends of the bones in the dog
are ligaments and tendons, family.
which act like strong elastic to keep them joined
together yet movable. Muscles are also attached to Arctic
wolf
the bones in a complicated system that enables
the body to move in all directions. Each bone in
a canid’s skeleton has characteristics that
make it recognizable as belonging to a
member of the dog family. Wolves, dogs
(both wild and domestic), and foxes
have long skulls and large teeth. The
Neck
neck and the backbone are also vertebrae
relatively long, the ribs form a strong
cage to protect the chest, and the long
limb bones are adapted for fast running.
Sternum
AFRICAN HUNTER
The African hunting dog
(pp. 26–27) has very long legs in
relation to the size of its body, Elbow
so it is able to range over huge joint
distances in search of prey.
Radius
African hunting dog
Red
fox Ulna

LITTLE RED
The red fox spends much of its Pelvis
time creeping under bushes and
rocks. It has shorter legs in
relation to the size of its body Tibia
than the wolf does. Radius
Elbow joint Skeleton of African hunting dog

Ulna
Hock, or
Lower ankle joint
jaw Skeleton of red fox Round skull

Shoulder Sternum
joint Neck is short,
BALL OF FLUFF but still has
This fluffy Maltese dog seven vertebrae
Metacarpal does not look at all like a
bone wolf, but inside its skin
Skeleton of the skeleton is just like
Maltese dog that of a tiny wolf. Maltese dog

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