This week in our Wildlife Wednesday slot we meet the African Wild Dog, aka the Painted Dog - one of the South African animals found on the Endangered species lists.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Scientifically named Lycaon pictus, (painted wolf) the African Wild Dog is a large canid found only in Africa, especially in savannas and lightly wooded areas. Its other names are African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, painted dog, painted wolf, painted hunting dog, spotted dog, or ornate wolf.
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
This long-legged canine has only four toes per foot, unlike other dogs, which have five toes on their forefeet. It has large round ears and a distinctive mottled coat. The name "painted wolf," refers this coat with its patches of red, black, brown, white, and yellow fur. Each animal has its own unique coat pattern.
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LIFESTYLE
African wild dogs are very social creatures which live in packs usually dominated by a monogamous breeding pair. The female has a litter of 2 to 20 pups, which are cared for by the entire pack. The packs share food and have been known to assist weak or ill members. The dogs interact socially via touch, actions, and vocal sounds.
African wild dogs hunt in efficient, formidable packs of 6 to 20 animals. Packs hunt antelopes and will also tackle much larger prey, such as wildebeests.. An average adult dog will consume around nine pounds of live carcass each day, the equivalent of an Impala per day for a pack of 15 dogs.The dogs supplement their diet with rodents and birds.
The pack hunts during the morning and before dusk, and also are known to make use of the light of a full moon. Their goal is to draw minimum attention from stronger predators. Sometimes more powerful competitors, such as the hyena, steal their rewards, so they have learned to hunt and eat quickly.
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