African Wild Dog

African Wild Dogs (sometimes known as Painted Wolves) are one of the least known of the world’s large predators.  They hunt in large packs which may number more than 30 animals.  They cooperate to bring down prey such as wildebeests, zebras and impalas.  These wild dogs can run at speeds of 37 miles per hour (race horse speed) for more than 3 miles!  By combing such great speed, endurance and cooperation, African Wild Dogs have become the most successful large predators in all of Africa!

Physical Description

African Wild Dogs are long legged lean creatures with large ears and short broad snouts.  These wild dogs or canines may have coat patterns of black, gray, yellow and white patches and swirls.  Each wild dog’s coat pattern is unique, just like a human’s fingerprint pattern.  Most canines have 5 toes on each foot.  This unusual canine has only 4 toes.  This may be an adaptation for running at high speeds for long distances.

Family Life

Mother African Wild Dogs usually produce litters of 10 to 12 babies called pups.  They are born into a family group called a pack.  The whole pack protects and cares for the pups.  African Wild Dogs are one of the few pack species that shares food with all of its members regardless of age or health.  Pack members regurgitate or cough up recently eaten meat for the pups.  The pups work on their hunting skills for their first year.  Female wild dogs leave the pack to enter new packs.  Male wild dogs stay with their home pack.

Diet

Impala, zebra, gazelle, Cane Rats, Greater kudu, Meerkats and animal remains