The African wild dog is a social and diurnal animal that lives in large packs of as many as 27 adults and also includes a group of pups, which also form hunting packs. Though African wild dog is the most widely used name, the BBC’s Dynasties series referred to them as painted wolves and after its release, some organisations have changed how they refer to species. The most important survival adaptation is teamwork. Painted wolf is the meaning behind the African wild dog’s scientific name. The African wild dog has incredible hearing, with muscles allowing its large rounded ears to swivel. African wild dogs generally live up to the age of 11 when living in the wild. The African wild dog can run up to 44mph – the same as a greyhound! They are opportunistic predators that hunt medium-sized ruminants, such as gazelles. An African wild dog has been a part of Brookfield Zoo’s animal collection since 1985. As a result 80% of their hunts end successfully, compared to, say, lions at 10%. The African Wild Dog can be found in sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest concentration in Tanzania and Northern Mozambique. The African wild dog lacks a specialized hierarchy, and all members live in harmony with one another within the pack. The African wild dog, also known as the Cape hunting dog, and African painted dog, is a large, intelligent, canine with a complex social life similar to a wolf. On the hot plains and grasslands of Africa, wild dogs live in tight-knit packs of 20 to 40 animals, the members of which remain so for their entire lives, Often confused with hyenas and having a bit of a reputation. Once found throughout sub-Saharan Africa in the hundreds of thousands, the wild dog’s range and population have vastly diminished. Their coats are coloured, black, tan and white and they each have unique, irregular markings. The bush dog is the only living species in the genus Speothos, and genetic evidence suggests that its closest living relative is the maned wolf of central South America or the African wild dog. African Wild dog breed belongs to Canidae family. Wild Dog prey can weigh anywhere from … In the Serengeti the estimated size of each pack’s territory is 1,500 km 2 . History and Health: History: These wild dogs are found in all over the Africa. The breed has existed over a million years ago. It Completely lets it blend in to its environment, with perfectly suited colors for it Africa. African Wild Dog Behaviour: Breeding. Taken by Helenbella, 2009. African Wild Dogs are found naturally roaming the deserts, open-plains and arid savanna of sub-Saharan Africa where the range of the African Wild Dog has decreased rapidly. Wild dogs are social and gather in packs of around ten individuals, but some packs number more than 40. Males and females may be up approximately between 39.6 pounds and 79.2 pounds. African wild dogs live about 10 years in the wild and in captivity. They have a … But even with such a regal sounding name, these wild dogs don’t get as much respect as they should. They have very long legs and powerful jaws. Painted dogs are neither wolf or dog, they are Lycaon and cannot crossbreed with wolves or domestic dogs. African wild dog 2nd level consumer antelope 1st level consumer fungus (decomposer) the vulture eats the african wild dog the african wild dog eats the antelope fungi absorbs the nutrients The scientific name is derived from Greek word for “wolf” and the Latin word for “painted”. The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is a member of the dog family (Canidae).. They live in stable groups of related males with related females leaving to join a different pack at 14 to 30 months old. Population in the Wild: 3,000-5,500 African wild dogs (or Lycaon pictus) are also known as African hunting dogs or painted wolves.They live throughout sub-Saharan Africa - the continent has several different populations and five subspecies in total. African Wild Dogs live together in packs containing between 10 – 20 individuals. An area the size of Greater London, which is home to 7.5 million people, could therefore only support one or two African wild dog packs. It is then called the African wild dog, African hunting dog, Cape Hunting dog, painted dog etc. African wild dog packs have an 80% success rate when hunting, thanks to high levels of communication. Wild Dogs have incredible endurance – being able to run at roughly 48km/h for 5km; African Wild Dogs have one of the highest hunting success rates of any carnivore species, reaching a success rate where up to 85% of hunts end in a kill. It is thought that the African Wild Dog was once found in nearly 40 different African countries but that number is much lower today, at between 10 and 25. African Wild Dog behaviour is fascinating to observe and some interesting and important data has been collected about them via wildlife monitoring efforts. The African wild dog, also called the hunting dog, is a vanishing species in East Africa. African wild dogs are incredibly social creatures. African wild dogs are known by a number of common English names including African hunting dogs, Cape hunting dogs, painted dogs, and painted wolfs. In Brazil it is called cachorro-vinagre ("vinegar dog") or cachorro-do-mato ("bush dog"). A monogamous mated pair usually dominates each pack. Between 3,000 and 5,500 individuals remain, primarily in eastern and southern Africa. The African Wild Dog works as a team to bring down prey twice as big as it is. Inside their dog packs they have strong family bonds headed by an alpha male and alpha female. In fact, unlike almost any other predator, they live in extraordinary co-operation with one another. Their population is declining each day. The African wild dog (or painted dog) needs extensive areas in which to roam. The dogs rely on each other and are one of the only wild species to care for their sick and old. African wild dogs have an ill-deserved reputation as aggressive, vicious killers. African Wild Dog Facts and Information Lycaon pictus Introduction to African Wild Dog. The pack hunts together and offers protection from predators. A typical pack will have between 6 and 20 dogs, but some larger packs do exist. According to recent estimates, the number of African dogs does not exceed 6,600 adults, including 1,400 mature animals. Wild dogs communicate with a series of wailing hoots to keep the pack together. African wild dog can live up to 10 -11 years in wild or zoos. They have been known to help each other out, sharing food and taking care of weaker members. The African Wild Dog can stand about 2 ½ feet tall. Explore African wild dog facts, get lesson plans, read the field guide, and see photos, videos, and a live webcam in Kenya with Mpala Live! Where Does It Live? The most obvious one is its coat. African wild dogs have huge home ranges and are constant wanderers. Fun Facts. The African Wild Dog Is The Tallest Dog And Is Taller Than The Grey Wolf And Is Also More Fericous Than The Wimpy Dingo. An African wild dog looks similar to hyena. Packs often contain more males than females. African wild dogs can be fierce to outsiders, but among their own they are far more gentle, using exaggerated submissive posturing and greeting ceremonies to reinforce the pack social structure. Dog behaviour is fascinating to observe and some interesting and important data been! 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