Fun Facts on African Wild Dogs

The Painted Dog gets its name from its multi-colored coat

The African Wild Dog also known as the painted dog, lives in the plains and woodlands of Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. At one time over 500,000 existed but their number dwindled to and estimated 3,000 to 5,500 by 2010. Fossil research indicates they may have developed their unique characteristics about 3 million years ago, such as having four toes on their forefeet when other canines have five.

Physical Characteristics

The African Wild Dog's Latin name Lycaon Pictus means "painted wolf." It was applied due to its multi-colored coat of black, brown, red, white and yellow fur, which sometimes gets the dog mistaken for a hyena. Each animal's unique coat is an identification marker because no two are alike. Their large rounded ears keep them cool, provide excellent hearing and communication with the pack. The white tipped bushy tail increases each pack member's visibility and each dog has a strong musky odor that makes it easier for other pack members to find it. The African Wild Dog's lanky body enhances its endurance and speed which allows it to run distances of 35 mph or more. It has also been known to cover long distances of 900 square miles on the Serengeti plains.

Pack Structure

Six to twenty pack members are led by a monogamous male and female known as the “alpha pair.” Eventually only the female leader will remain with the pack because the other females will leave when they are about three years old to join another group. Therefore, a pack will become predominately males who stay with their group for life unlike other pack animals where the male members leave the group. Hierarchy competition is virtually non-existent unlike the behavior of other pack animals.

Social Interaction

African Wild Dogs are socially oriented animals and always live together as a group. The stronger members are dedicated to the welfare of the weaker pack members, nursing female and pups. They begin each day with one another by performing a complex greeting ceremony of birdlike chirping and whining sounds. The African Wild Dog also communicates with noises that are similar to a bell, or short barks and howls that can be heard over long distances.

Parenthood

Only the male and female alpha pair will produce the offspring of the pack. The female gives birth to two to 20 pups that are born and raised in a thick brush or a den. The mother and father will share their parental duties and all male pack members will assume parenting responsibilities if the female dies. The entire pack is responsible for feeding the pups and nursing mother ,which is done with regurgitated food.

Hunting and Diet

African Wild Dogs prey on antelopes, calves, warthogs, and wildebeest as well as rodents and birds .They begin the hunt with a circulating ritual that will last until they are in a frenzy. Pack members will switch places as the lead hunter tires, and they are successful in catching their prey 70 to 90 percent of the time. The pack members also take orderly turns eating but will often devour an entire carcass in 15 minutes to prevent animals such as hyenas, lions and vultures from stealing their prey.

References

• National Geographic:African Wild Dog:Lycaon pictus
• African Wildlife Foundation:African Wild Dog
• The American Museum of Natural History:African Wild Dog
• San Diego Zoo:Mammals:African Wild Dog
• WildLife Conservation Network: Painted Dog Conservation

Resources

• African Wild Dogs-Species Survival Guide:In the Wild:Painted Dog Conservation
• The African Wild Dog:Behavior, Ecology and Conservation:Scott Creel and Nancy Marusha Creel